Isla Santa Catalina and Monserrate
Whenever a morning starts with a “green flash” you know that magical events will unfold throughout the day. Guests peered through binoculars at the horizon scanning for the first light of day in which this phenomenon occurs. Most of us witnessed the event and became true believers, forever changed. In the early light we made the first stop of the day at Isla Santa Catalina where Zodiacs were deployed to bring eager guests to the shore for hikes to see the endemic giant barrel cactus or to the snorkel platform at Elephant Rock.
As sergeant majors scurried about the granitic rocky substrate, a flurry of excitement among the guests could be felt. Circumnavigation led to many discoveries including this vibrant panamic cushion star (Pentaceraster cumingi). The intricate matricies of the aboral surface (the surface opposite the mouth) completely covered with intricate matrices met many smiling eyes behind their waterproof masks. Five rays reached out into three-dimensionality, hoping to come upon an unsuspecting bivalve to devour. This is the evolutionary benefit of being radially symmetrical as opposed to bilaterally symmetrical with a centralized nervous system.
During a wonderful presentation on plant adaptations to desert conditions, the Sea Lion headed to Monserrate, where more hiking and snorkeling activities brought daylight to a close in this incredible place known as the Sea of Cortez.
Whenever a morning starts with a “green flash” you know that magical events will unfold throughout the day. Guests peered through binoculars at the horizon scanning for the first light of day in which this phenomenon occurs. Most of us witnessed the event and became true believers, forever changed. In the early light we made the first stop of the day at Isla Santa Catalina where Zodiacs were deployed to bring eager guests to the shore for hikes to see the endemic giant barrel cactus or to the snorkel platform at Elephant Rock.
As sergeant majors scurried about the granitic rocky substrate, a flurry of excitement among the guests could be felt. Circumnavigation led to many discoveries including this vibrant panamic cushion star (Pentaceraster cumingi). The intricate matricies of the aboral surface (the surface opposite the mouth) completely covered with intricate matrices met many smiling eyes behind their waterproof masks. Five rays reached out into three-dimensionality, hoping to come upon an unsuspecting bivalve to devour. This is the evolutionary benefit of being radially symmetrical as opposed to bilaterally symmetrical with a centralized nervous system.
During a wonderful presentation on plant adaptations to desert conditions, the Sea Lion headed to Monserrate, where more hiking and snorkeling activities brought daylight to a close in this incredible place known as the Sea of Cortez.
