Los Islotes
Serendipity is defined as the phenomenom of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for – as was the case for our day here in the Golfo de California. Our day was a series of stumbling onto things we were not searching for. The sun found the Sea Lion anchored in Bahia Amortajada void of people, as many of us arose before dawn to enjoy Zodiac cruises through the mangrove channels of this bay. Every turn, a new surprise – including a Zodiac flotilla serving Mimosas, coffee, and muffins. After two rounds of mangrove cruises and hikes it was time for breakfast (yes, we are on vacation) as the ship weighed anchor and plied the waters of San Jose Channel in search of marine mammals.
After lunch we were loading Zodiacs to snorkel among the California Sea Lions that inhabit Los Islotes, a couple of small rock islands north of Ispiritu Santo. As many of us frolicked at the surface with the sea lions, other unexpected treasures were found below, such as a panamic fanged blenny, coral hawkfish, chocolate chip and crown of thorn stars, and the curious looking palenose moray (echidna nocturna). This moray like many other species is a nocturnal forager that rests in rock crevices during the day. After drying off from our swim, we cruised among the sea lions and the many sea birds that share Los Islotes.
The Sea Lion re-anchored and began sending shuttles to an isolated arroyo for a dinner barbecue. As the sun went down and the full moon came up, tiki torches accentuated the canyon walls with orange light. William Lopez-Forment regaled us with stories of Mexican lore, while SMORES roasted to perfection.
Serendipity is defined as the phenomenom of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for – as was the case for our day here in the Golfo de California. Our day was a series of stumbling onto things we were not searching for. The sun found the Sea Lion anchored in Bahia Amortajada void of people, as many of us arose before dawn to enjoy Zodiac cruises through the mangrove channels of this bay. Every turn, a new surprise – including a Zodiac flotilla serving Mimosas, coffee, and muffins. After two rounds of mangrove cruises and hikes it was time for breakfast (yes, we are on vacation) as the ship weighed anchor and plied the waters of San Jose Channel in search of marine mammals.
After lunch we were loading Zodiacs to snorkel among the California Sea Lions that inhabit Los Islotes, a couple of small rock islands north of Ispiritu Santo. As many of us frolicked at the surface with the sea lions, other unexpected treasures were found below, such as a panamic fanged blenny, coral hawkfish, chocolate chip and crown of thorn stars, and the curious looking palenose moray (echidna nocturna). This moray like many other species is a nocturnal forager that rests in rock crevices during the day. After drying off from our swim, we cruised among the sea lions and the many sea birds that share Los Islotes.
The Sea Lion re-anchored and began sending shuttles to an isolated arroyo for a dinner barbecue. As the sun went down and the full moon came up, tiki torches accentuated the canyon walls with orange light. William Lopez-Forment regaled us with stories of Mexican lore, while SMORES roasted to perfection.
