Sea of Cortez
Under a sunny blue sky, the fantastically eroded volcanic remnants known as Los Islotes were the backdrop for our morning activities. We found a protected pocket to drop Zodiacs in the lee to the south of these islets. We then commenced Zodiac tours and snorkeling operations. This is a busy place for such a small area. Both blue-footed and brown boobies can be found here, as well as brown pelicans, yellow-footed gulls, Brandt's cormorants, and others.
California sea lions come here to set up territories, mate, and give birth. It's too early in the season to see the aggressive behavior associated with breeding, but we did notice last year's pups that were still nursing. There was a continuous cacophony of barking and screaming. We had a fabulous time snorkeling amongst these playful, curious and graceful animals.
After lunch we cruised southward and ducked into another beautiful, protected bay on the east side of Isla Espiritu Santo (Puerto Ballena). Conditions were excellent for sea kayaking this afternoon. Low tide exposed mud flats near mangroves that attracted migrant shorebirds and a variety of species of herons and egrets. Some people explored the beach area surrounding our landing.
A nice treat this evening was a beach barbecue arranged and presented by the galley and steward staffs. Guests were greeted with trays of beverages as they came ashore and chairs had been set up facing out to sea toward the beautiful sunset. The elaborate fare consisted of barbecued ribs, fish, salad, corn-on-the-cob, mashed potatoes, beer bread, and delicious rich brownies for dessert.
As the sky darkened, myriad pinpoints of light popped out of the cloudless heavens, forming age-old patterns of ageless legends. A telescope brought three moons of Jupiter into view. It was a perfect way to conclude our exploration of the Sea of Cortez as we now headed southward toward the tropics, the tip of the Baja Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.
Under a sunny blue sky, the fantastically eroded volcanic remnants known as Los Islotes were the backdrop for our morning activities. We found a protected pocket to drop Zodiacs in the lee to the south of these islets. We then commenced Zodiac tours and snorkeling operations. This is a busy place for such a small area. Both blue-footed and brown boobies can be found here, as well as brown pelicans, yellow-footed gulls, Brandt's cormorants, and others.
California sea lions come here to set up territories, mate, and give birth. It's too early in the season to see the aggressive behavior associated with breeding, but we did notice last year's pups that were still nursing. There was a continuous cacophony of barking and screaming. We had a fabulous time snorkeling amongst these playful, curious and graceful animals.
After lunch we cruised southward and ducked into another beautiful, protected bay on the east side of Isla Espiritu Santo (Puerto Ballena). Conditions were excellent for sea kayaking this afternoon. Low tide exposed mud flats near mangroves that attracted migrant shorebirds and a variety of species of herons and egrets. Some people explored the beach area surrounding our landing.
A nice treat this evening was a beach barbecue arranged and presented by the galley and steward staffs. Guests were greeted with trays of beverages as they came ashore and chairs had been set up facing out to sea toward the beautiful sunset. The elaborate fare consisted of barbecued ribs, fish, salad, corn-on-the-cob, mashed potatoes, beer bread, and delicious rich brownies for dessert.
As the sky darkened, myriad pinpoints of light popped out of the cloudless heavens, forming age-old patterns of ageless legends. A telescope brought three moons of Jupiter into view. It was a perfect way to conclude our exploration of the Sea of Cortez as we now headed southward toward the tropics, the tip of the Baja Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.
