Espiritu Santo Island Complex
Baja California Sur, México
Another day on Lindblad Expeditions! Gliding across the sea, anxious people in Zodiacs travel around Los Islotes looking for playful sea lions. Looking over the edge of the boat, I see a sea lion swimming alongside. Just then more sea lions are spotted sleeping on a rock. Behind them, two males fight to be “King of the Rock”. The small sea lion seen earlier comes back and stays beside the bow for a bit. Then he leaves. The Captain of the Zodiac turns toward a cave to investigate. A sun star is spotted and some crabs. A sea lion barked in the cave and right afterwards two sea lions race out of the cave. After a little while the Zodiac heads back to the ship. That was quite an experience!
Rhiana Schafer, age 8
Her young eyes were always searching, whether it be on sea or shore. Details, we of the older generation might have dismissed as insignificant, were noted and their reasons for being questioned. If no answer was forthcoming, they were enjoyed simply because they existed.
We came here together not solely seeking vacation’s leisure but on an expedition, a journey with a purpose. The intent, although not identical from one to another, was centered about those mammals that live in the sea. And with youthful enthusiasm we sought them out and compiled an impressive list that ranged from the largest cetacean upon this earth to the most acrobatic of pinnipeds. Our hearts rejoiced as we observed the gentle maternal touch of blue, gray or humpback whale, or of California sea lion and the rambunctious frolicking play of their offspring.
This, the final day of our voyage, was filled with activity from beginning to end. Color seemed to spill from the rising sun, a rosy pink that cooled to lavender as it spread from east to west. The cycle repeated itself again as crimson mellowed to gold. The tiny islets of Los Islotes, rich chocolate frosted with white, hosted a myriad of life. Blue-footed boobies danced their strange courtship waltz accompanied by the male’s whistling tune. Brown boobies simply sat with faces to the cliff. Sally Lightfoot crabs dressed in scarlet, blue and gold side stepped across the intertidal zone while sea lions draped over every rounded rock, communicating loudly in strange guttural tones. In the water snorkelers giggled behind their masks as stealthy pups bounced against the bottoms of Zodiacs or propelled themselves skyward just out of arms reach.
The long curving beach of Bahia Bonanza at Isla Espiritu Santo’s southern reach hosted swimmers, kayakers or strollers under the warm afternoon sun. As day faded to darkness and the waxing moon lit the sea, we sat around a fire gazing at the stars, quietly conversing or silently synthesizing images from the week.
Maybe an expedition is a journey back in time to the wonder and delight of new discoveries seen with young-at-heart eyes.
Baja California Sur, México
Another day on Lindblad Expeditions! Gliding across the sea, anxious people in Zodiacs travel around Los Islotes looking for playful sea lions. Looking over the edge of the boat, I see a sea lion swimming alongside. Just then more sea lions are spotted sleeping on a rock. Behind them, two males fight to be “King of the Rock”. The small sea lion seen earlier comes back and stays beside the bow for a bit. Then he leaves. The Captain of the Zodiac turns toward a cave to investigate. A sun star is spotted and some crabs. A sea lion barked in the cave and right afterwards two sea lions race out of the cave. After a little while the Zodiac heads back to the ship. That was quite an experience!
Rhiana Schafer, age 8
Her young eyes were always searching, whether it be on sea or shore. Details, we of the older generation might have dismissed as insignificant, were noted and their reasons for being questioned. If no answer was forthcoming, they were enjoyed simply because they existed.
We came here together not solely seeking vacation’s leisure but on an expedition, a journey with a purpose. The intent, although not identical from one to another, was centered about those mammals that live in the sea. And with youthful enthusiasm we sought them out and compiled an impressive list that ranged from the largest cetacean upon this earth to the most acrobatic of pinnipeds. Our hearts rejoiced as we observed the gentle maternal touch of blue, gray or humpback whale, or of California sea lion and the rambunctious frolicking play of their offspring.
This, the final day of our voyage, was filled with activity from beginning to end. Color seemed to spill from the rising sun, a rosy pink that cooled to lavender as it spread from east to west. The cycle repeated itself again as crimson mellowed to gold. The tiny islets of Los Islotes, rich chocolate frosted with white, hosted a myriad of life. Blue-footed boobies danced their strange courtship waltz accompanied by the male’s whistling tune. Brown boobies simply sat with faces to the cliff. Sally Lightfoot crabs dressed in scarlet, blue and gold side stepped across the intertidal zone while sea lions draped over every rounded rock, communicating loudly in strange guttural tones. In the water snorkelers giggled behind their masks as stealthy pups bounced against the bottoms of Zodiacs or propelled themselves skyward just out of arms reach.
The long curving beach of Bahia Bonanza at Isla Espiritu Santo’s southern reach hosted swimmers, kayakers or strollers under the warm afternoon sun. As day faded to darkness and the waxing moon lit the sea, we sat around a fire gazing at the stars, quietly conversing or silently synthesizing images from the week.
Maybe an expedition is a journey back in time to the wonder and delight of new discoveries seen with young-at-heart eyes.
