Discovering the amazing Bio-diversity of the Sea of Cortez
Our day started magically, as is usual in this place. Before breakfast we encountered common dolphins, followed by two blue whales: the largest animal ever on the planet. As if that wasn't enough, we also saw a Fin whale, the second largest Cetacean, that was unusually large, about 85 feet long. After our morning meal, we were lucky to see a school of bottle-nose dolphins, at least 300 animals. This should give you an idea of the bio-diversity and richness of the Gulf of California.
For our afternoon activities we anchored at Isla Santa Catalina, the most offshore island in our journey, and one famous for a beautiful endemic giant barrel cactus. Before going on shore we had a chance to go snorkeling, which is one of the exciting activities during a Lindblad Expedition in Baja California and the Sea of Cortez.
During my dive off "Elephant Rock", an interesting granite rock formation, I was surprised to see this spotted sharpnose puffer - Canthigaster punctatissima - not any bigger than 2.5 inches. This fish is a slow swimmer who needs to be very well camouflaged, to avoid predators. Notice the cute green eyes staring at our digital camera. These puffers tend to be solitary individuals, who are found usually near crevices and caves, and under ledges in shallow waters.
Our day started magically, as is usual in this place. Before breakfast we encountered common dolphins, followed by two blue whales: the largest animal ever on the planet. As if that wasn't enough, we also saw a Fin whale, the second largest Cetacean, that was unusually large, about 85 feet long. After our morning meal, we were lucky to see a school of bottle-nose dolphins, at least 300 animals. This should give you an idea of the bio-diversity and richness of the Gulf of California.
For our afternoon activities we anchored at Isla Santa Catalina, the most offshore island in our journey, and one famous for a beautiful endemic giant barrel cactus. Before going on shore we had a chance to go snorkeling, which is one of the exciting activities during a Lindblad Expedition in Baja California and the Sea of Cortez.
During my dive off "Elephant Rock", an interesting granite rock formation, I was surprised to see this spotted sharpnose puffer - Canthigaster punctatissima - not any bigger than 2.5 inches. This fish is a slow swimmer who needs to be very well camouflaged, to avoid predators. Notice the cute green eyes staring at our digital camera. These puffers tend to be solitary individuals, who are found usually near crevices and caves, and under ledges in shallow waters.
