Los Islotes
Today we started our day by waking up to the barking sounds of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) at Los Islotes. This small island is home to some two hundred individuals, which haul out during the breeding season. The heavy male bulls serve as a good example of sexual dimorphism in that their weight is up to three times that of the females. Large males have been recorded weighing up to a maximum of about 860 pounds, while the females usually never exceed 240 pounds. Both males and females live for about 20 to 30 years with females usually outliving males. After guests slipped gently into the water they were quickly surrounded by curious circling pinnapeds. In the water a sense of awe overcame us as the grace at which the sea lions propelled themselves with their fore flippers. Awkward in comparison, our adventures could do nothing but observe and giggle as the sea lion underwater ballet played on before our eyes. After enjoying the sub-surface antics Zodiac tours were offered to get closer looks at Zalophus hauled out on the rocks. After the depletion of many rolls of film everyone returned to the Sea Lion and we to set sail towards are final destination of Isla Partida. It is here that we got to stretch our legs walking along the beach or hiking inland for a taste of natural history. For those that did not get enough water activity, kayaks were made available for some reflection and solitude before preparing to pack for the Copper Canyon.
Today we started our day by waking up to the barking sounds of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) at Los Islotes. This small island is home to some two hundred individuals, which haul out during the breeding season. The heavy male bulls serve as a good example of sexual dimorphism in that their weight is up to three times that of the females. Large males have been recorded weighing up to a maximum of about 860 pounds, while the females usually never exceed 240 pounds. Both males and females live for about 20 to 30 years with females usually outliving males. After guests slipped gently into the water they were quickly surrounded by curious circling pinnapeds. In the water a sense of awe overcame us as the grace at which the sea lions propelled themselves with their fore flippers. Awkward in comparison, our adventures could do nothing but observe and giggle as the sea lion underwater ballet played on before our eyes. After enjoying the sub-surface antics Zodiac tours were offered to get closer looks at Zalophus hauled out on the rocks. After the depletion of many rolls of film everyone returned to the Sea Lion and we to set sail towards are final destination of Isla Partida. It is here that we got to stretch our legs walking along the beach or hiking inland for a taste of natural history. For those that did not get enough water activity, kayaks were made available for some reflection and solitude before preparing to pack for the Copper Canyon.
