Dessert in the Desert
Have you ever noticed that if you put an extra “s” in the word “desert” it becomes “dessert?” The two are really not that different. Both are incredibly rich. The desert is rich in life, rich in diversity and is best savored in little nibbles. We started nibbling on the desert today along its salty edges, still in the Sea of Cortez. Amongst columns of golden blows and rainbow plumes we whale watched and alternately whale waited. Several groups of humpback whales engaged in what was termed a “heat run,” were found and observed as we explored the area of Gorda Banks.
Later in the morning Karen laid the foundation of our desert with a food oriented geology presentation. From peeling apples, to illustrate the thin crust of the earth, to cracked eggs for tectonic plates and onionskins representing the slow-layered disintegration of granite. We fed our minds while we worked on an appetite for lunch.
The afternoon gave us opportunities to explore above and below water level. Snorkelers headed for the beach to view the piscidian world while walkers headed for a lush trail in the desert thorn scrub. We satiated our appetites with visions of jeweled butterflies, delicate flowers, intricate spider webs, and a chocolate and vanilla barred Zone-tailed hawk. The snorkelers found the cherry on the sundae, as they discovered an active nest of the endemic Xantus’ hummingbird while they walked to the beach.
We closed our day with marshmallow clouds reflecting the colors of the sunset in peach and ripe mango hues. A full day, a satisfied appetite, but there will be a new menu tomorrow, and we’ll be hungry again.
Have you ever noticed that if you put an extra “s” in the word “desert” it becomes “dessert?” The two are really not that different. Both are incredibly rich. The desert is rich in life, rich in diversity and is best savored in little nibbles. We started nibbling on the desert today along its salty edges, still in the Sea of Cortez. Amongst columns of golden blows and rainbow plumes we whale watched and alternately whale waited. Several groups of humpback whales engaged in what was termed a “heat run,” were found and observed as we explored the area of Gorda Banks.
Later in the morning Karen laid the foundation of our desert with a food oriented geology presentation. From peeling apples, to illustrate the thin crust of the earth, to cracked eggs for tectonic plates and onionskins representing the slow-layered disintegration of granite. We fed our minds while we worked on an appetite for lunch.
The afternoon gave us opportunities to explore above and below water level. Snorkelers headed for the beach to view the piscidian world while walkers headed for a lush trail in the desert thorn scrub. We satiated our appetites with visions of jeweled butterflies, delicate flowers, intricate spider webs, and a chocolate and vanilla barred Zone-tailed hawk. The snorkelers found the cherry on the sundae, as they discovered an active nest of the endemic Xantus’ hummingbird while they walked to the beach.
We closed our day with marshmallow clouds reflecting the colors of the sunset in peach and ripe mango hues. A full day, a satisfied appetite, but there will be a new menu tomorrow, and we’ll be hungry again.
