The Gulf of California is home to a fabulous variety of marine creatures. On board the Sea Lion, our new underwater video cameras, video microscopes, hydrophones and other tools allow us to explore the world below the waves and encounter the unusual wildlife there in richer detail than ever before. From the largest whales in the world to tiny plankton, everything in the ocean is fascinating and beautiful in its own way, but nothing could be more delightful than the California sea lions.

Today we spent the afternoon at a rocky islet known as Los Islotes, where a resident colony of sea lions were basking in the sun and cavorting in the waves. While some of us cruised around the shoreline of the rock in the Zodiacs, others took the opportunity to don masks, fins and wetsuits and join the sea lions in their own element. Our Mexican naturalists call these graceful beasts Lobos Marinos, or sea wolves, and their long canine teeth did remind us of the dogs and wolves which are their close cousins on land. But while swimming among them we never felt any threat at all; instead, just like dogs, the younger ones insisted that we join their play, swimming in circles and loops all around us, chasing each others' tails and leaping out of the water in their joyful enthusiasm. Diving below the group of snorkelers and sea lions, I shot video of the frolic that I showed back on board, giving everyone a chance to relive their day from a different perspective. There are many wonderful experiences to be had while exploring Baja, but none could top this encounter for sheer fun!