After being gently rocked to sleep by the sea swell we arrived at Los Islotes to witness a beautiful sunrise. As beams of light reflected off the surface of the water at 6:45 am, sounds of the resident population of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) cut through the morning air. Guests looked on from the viewpoint of the bow and observed these marine mammals playing and sun bathing, while waiting for disembarkation from the ship for Zodiac tours.
The Zodiacs provide a unique perspective that brings wildlife observation to the level of the observer. An appreciation can be deeply felt when eye contact is made with intelligent mammals such as the California sea lion. Mid morning found us off the coast of Ensenada Grande where snorkelers spread across the surface in pair formation looking at the many wondrous fish of the gulf of California such as the mutton hamlet pictured above. Being a night predator feeding on crustaceans it is an unusual site to see it out in the open on the reef during daylight hours. The mutton hamlet is related to the groupers and has a range extending from the Gulf of California to Peru.
Kayaking and beach walks rounded out the evening with the grand finale being a barbeque on the top deck of the Sea Lion during the conclusion of sunset. Tune in tomorrow for another days adventure.
