As a pink dawn softened the rugged rock faces on the east side of Isla San Marcos, the Sea Bird made her way around the north tip of the island to an anchorage offering protection from the fresh breeze as well as a spectacular backdrop for kayaking. The morning was primarily devoted to this enjoyable sport, allowing us to paddle our way among pale yellow and red volcanic rocks scattered about the turquoise water. Pelicans had a comical aspect as they practiced their plunge diving techniques while Heermann’s and yellow-legged gulls scouted for fish from above. Some of our youngest guests enjoyed a bit of tide pooling as depicted in the first photo, while a small group of dedicated artists worked diligently at painting the local scenery.
The deck crew had barely stowed the anchor when the announcement come that frothy water filled with leaping dark bodies lay just ahead! We soon encountered a huge pod of common dolphins moving through the nearshore waters along Isla San Marcos. The air above these fifteen hundred or more graceful small cetaceans was filled with blue-footed boobies, gulls and pelicans and the white water of the dolphin’s swift movements. These seabirds and the common dolphins feed on small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies, and as the warmer weather of spring increases the productivity of the Gulf of California water, these large congregations of fish, birds and mammals called feeding frenzies become more frequent. What an unforgettable experience of laughter and excitement as we watched with amazement and attempted to capture with digital imagery and film this glorious scene.
The deck crew had barely stowed the anchor when the announcement come that frothy water filled with leaping dark bodies lay just ahead! We soon encountered a huge pod of common dolphins moving through the nearshore waters along Isla San Marcos. The air above these fifteen hundred or more graceful small cetaceans was filled with blue-footed boobies, gulls and pelicans and the white water of the dolphin’s swift movements. These seabirds and the common dolphins feed on small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies, and as the warmer weather of spring increases the productivity of the Gulf of California water, these large congregations of fish, birds and mammals called feeding frenzies become more frequent. What an unforgettable experience of laughter and excitement as we watched with amazement and attempted to capture with digital imagery and film this glorious scene.
