Los Islotes and Playa Bonanza
Our day began in a wetter way than usual. Light rain poured over the Sea Bird as we approached the California sea lion rookery at Los Islotes. Once there, the rain ended but dark skies and significant swells remained. The whole landscape looked gray, in sharp contrast with our high spirits as we cruised in the Zodiacs to watch and photograph the sea lions as they rested on the rocks. Blue-footed and brown boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, ravens and even the occasional belted kingfisher gave us ample opportunity to admire them.
Eventually the skies cleared, giving us a welcomed chance to enjoy the submarine world and snorkel with the sea lions. Everyone admired their grace and maneuverability as numerous individuals played among us. Moving effortlessly through their three-dimensional environment in a way that rivals most fish, they are supremely adapted to life at sea. Oh, how I wish I could swim like a sea lion!
Later on, as the Sea Bird cruised south along the eastern shore of Partida and Espiritu Santo islands, we came across a huge school of common dolphins, even larger than the other one we saw earlier in the morning. Their bow-riding and playful acrobatics showed us just one more version of mammals superbly adapted to the oceans. Dinner ashore at Playa Bonanza marked the perfect ending to such an eventful day.
Our day began in a wetter way than usual. Light rain poured over the Sea Bird as we approached the California sea lion rookery at Los Islotes. Once there, the rain ended but dark skies and significant swells remained. The whole landscape looked gray, in sharp contrast with our high spirits as we cruised in the Zodiacs to watch and photograph the sea lions as they rested on the rocks. Blue-footed and brown boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, ravens and even the occasional belted kingfisher gave us ample opportunity to admire them.
Eventually the skies cleared, giving us a welcomed chance to enjoy the submarine world and snorkel with the sea lions. Everyone admired their grace and maneuverability as numerous individuals played among us. Moving effortlessly through their three-dimensional environment in a way that rivals most fish, they are supremely adapted to life at sea. Oh, how I wish I could swim like a sea lion!
Later on, as the Sea Bird cruised south along the eastern shore of Partida and Espiritu Santo islands, we came across a huge school of common dolphins, even larger than the other one we saw earlier in the morning. Their bow-riding and playful acrobatics showed us just one more version of mammals superbly adapted to the oceans. Dinner ashore at Playa Bonanza marked the perfect ending to such an eventful day.
