Baja California
Each island in the Gulf of California has its own character, with a unique set of plants, animals, history, and scenery. Today's exploration centered around Islas Monserrate and Danzante in the morning, and Santa Catalina, shown in the photo, during the afternoon. Morning sun bathed the layered face of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains, painting them pink against the rich blue sea that stretched flat and calm for miles. A whale spout broke the surface. For the next hour we tried our best to observe an elusive animal that turned out to be a blue whale, the largest of the cetaceans. Later in the morning, bottlenose dolphins surrounded the ship. First a few, and then more individuals crowded together to take advantage of the free ride provided by the pressure wave in front of the bow.
During lunch the anchor dropped at Bahia Elephante, so named for the elephant-shaped rock that stands sentinel at the water's edge. Snorkelers were soon striking off to watch a kaleidoscope of undersea life, including turquoise parrotfish, king angelfish, and young damselfish spangled with electric-blue spots. The rest of the afternoon was reserved for shore outings up a lovely arroyo, a dry drainage lined with magnificent cacti. Cardons were the largest and perhaps the most commanding in appearance, but the most unusual was the giant barrel cactus, found only here and on two adjacent islands and no where else in the world. A nearly full moon crested the ridge as Zodiacs shuttled us past the elephant, now silhouetted against the lingering sunset, and back to our welcoming ship.
Each island in the Gulf of California has its own character, with a unique set of plants, animals, history, and scenery. Today's exploration centered around Islas Monserrate and Danzante in the morning, and Santa Catalina, shown in the photo, during the afternoon. Morning sun bathed the layered face of the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains, painting them pink against the rich blue sea that stretched flat and calm for miles. A whale spout broke the surface. For the next hour we tried our best to observe an elusive animal that turned out to be a blue whale, the largest of the cetaceans. Later in the morning, bottlenose dolphins surrounded the ship. First a few, and then more individuals crowded together to take advantage of the free ride provided by the pressure wave in front of the bow.
During lunch the anchor dropped at Bahia Elephante, so named for the elephant-shaped rock that stands sentinel at the water's edge. Snorkelers were soon striking off to watch a kaleidoscope of undersea life, including turquoise parrotfish, king angelfish, and young damselfish spangled with electric-blue spots. The rest of the afternoon was reserved for shore outings up a lovely arroyo, a dry drainage lined with magnificent cacti. Cardons were the largest and perhaps the most commanding in appearance, but the most unusual was the giant barrel cactus, found only here and on two adjacent islands and no where else in the world. A nearly full moon crested the ridge as Zodiacs shuttled us past the elephant, now silhouetted against the lingering sunset, and back to our welcoming ship.
