Los Islotes and Isla San Francisco
We awoke with the clanging of the anchor being dropped just off tiny Los Islotes. Early risers boarded the Zodiacs for a cruise around this sea lion, pelican, and booby hangout. The air was filled the barks, snorts, and coughs of dozens of lobos del mar debating pinniped politics. A pair of peregrine falcons scolded us harshly from the very top of the islet. Brown and blue-footed boobies made their resonant trumpeting and plaintive hollow-whistles. A great blue heron hunkered down on its nest while its mate (?) stood quietly at the water’s edge.
In the water, swarming masses of crimson krill were chased by tiny silver fish, which were in turn being eaten by bigger fish and brown pelicans…a perfect example of the food chain that drives the amazing productivity of the Gulf of California.
Snorkeling was the de rigueur for truly experiencing this enchanting place. Young sea lions zoomed in and out of the swimmers threatening collision but veering off at the very last moment. A colorful variety of fish, including sergeant majors and king angels, added to the natural aquarium.
Not long after leaving Los Islotes, we encountered blue whales, not just one, but several mother and calf pairs. The ocean’s surface was nearly as smooth as a mirror and the high desert sun pierced the water deeply, letting us see the behemoths rising from below. More then once, a whale surfaced right next to the ship causing great gasps from the audience on the bow and mad clicking of camera shutters to capture “the moment.”
Our expedition leader, Ralph Lee Hopkins, announced that lunch was optional since many could not bear the thought of missing any of the cetacean activity. However, by mid-afternoon even the whales seemed to be ready for a siesta, so we set a course for Isla San Francisco.
Once there, we found a beautiful long, crescent-shaped sandy beach called appropriately Half-Moon Bay. And we settled in for kayaking, nature walks, and photography in the magic light of late afternoon. The day was capped by a barbeque on shore and songs and tall tales around a blazing campfire.
We awoke with the clanging of the anchor being dropped just off tiny Los Islotes. Early risers boarded the Zodiacs for a cruise around this sea lion, pelican, and booby hangout. The air was filled the barks, snorts, and coughs of dozens of lobos del mar debating pinniped politics. A pair of peregrine falcons scolded us harshly from the very top of the islet. Brown and blue-footed boobies made their resonant trumpeting and plaintive hollow-whistles. A great blue heron hunkered down on its nest while its mate (?) stood quietly at the water’s edge.
In the water, swarming masses of crimson krill were chased by tiny silver fish, which were in turn being eaten by bigger fish and brown pelicans…a perfect example of the food chain that drives the amazing productivity of the Gulf of California.
Snorkeling was the de rigueur for truly experiencing this enchanting place. Young sea lions zoomed in and out of the swimmers threatening collision but veering off at the very last moment. A colorful variety of fish, including sergeant majors and king angels, added to the natural aquarium.
Not long after leaving Los Islotes, we encountered blue whales, not just one, but several mother and calf pairs. The ocean’s surface was nearly as smooth as a mirror and the high desert sun pierced the water deeply, letting us see the behemoths rising from below. More then once, a whale surfaced right next to the ship causing great gasps from the audience on the bow and mad clicking of camera shutters to capture “the moment.”
Our expedition leader, Ralph Lee Hopkins, announced that lunch was optional since many could not bear the thought of missing any of the cetacean activity. However, by mid-afternoon even the whales seemed to be ready for a siesta, so we set a course for Isla San Francisco.
Once there, we found a beautiful long, crescent-shaped sandy beach called appropriately Half-Moon Bay. And we settled in for kayaking, nature walks, and photography in the magic light of late afternoon. The day was capped by a barbeque on shore and songs and tall tales around a blazing campfire.
