Isla San Jose
Today our first stop was at Punta Colorado on the north end of Isla San Jose. Isla San Jose is unique in the fact that it is the third largest island in the Sea of Cortez as well as being comprised of about twenty percent granitic material towards the north end. The remainder of the island is a multitude of multicolored sediments derived from volcanic ash. Hikers were amazed at the foreign look of the wind shaped landscape, as well as the vast greenness of the many desert-adapted plants such as the organ pipe cactus. Discussions of the unique uses of the desert plants by indigenous peoples of the past ensued on the trek through the arroyo.
Those that were interested in a weightless experience slipped over the pontoons of the snorkel zodiac to be immediately enveloped by shoals of fish. The active ridge and runnel system formed by continuous wave action was a highway used by yellow snappers, blue and gold snappers, goatfish, and sergeant majors. While taking a closer look at the surface of the rocky substrate that comprised this unique ecosystem this chocolate chip star (Nidorellia armata) filled the frame with its characteristic pentamerous symmetry. Being able the monitor its environment equally in all directions is an adaptive advantage afforded by this body plan.
In the afternoon kayaks were deployed at Puerto gato to get close views of Sally Lightfoot crabs shuffling over the slick green algae on which they feed. Brown pelicans were plunging through the upper surface of the water column seeking to fill their gular pouchs as we gently followed the contours of the coastline. Finally all enjoyed a delicious dinner and bonfire on the cooling sands as nightfall set upon the tranquil waters of the gulf.
Today our first stop was at Punta Colorado on the north end of Isla San Jose. Isla San Jose is unique in the fact that it is the third largest island in the Sea of Cortez as well as being comprised of about twenty percent granitic material towards the north end. The remainder of the island is a multitude of multicolored sediments derived from volcanic ash. Hikers were amazed at the foreign look of the wind shaped landscape, as well as the vast greenness of the many desert-adapted plants such as the organ pipe cactus. Discussions of the unique uses of the desert plants by indigenous peoples of the past ensued on the trek through the arroyo.
Those that were interested in a weightless experience slipped over the pontoons of the snorkel zodiac to be immediately enveloped by shoals of fish. The active ridge and runnel system formed by continuous wave action was a highway used by yellow snappers, blue and gold snappers, goatfish, and sergeant majors. While taking a closer look at the surface of the rocky substrate that comprised this unique ecosystem this chocolate chip star (Nidorellia armata) filled the frame with its characteristic pentamerous symmetry. Being able the monitor its environment equally in all directions is an adaptive advantage afforded by this body plan.
In the afternoon kayaks were deployed at Puerto gato to get close views of Sally Lightfoot crabs shuffling over the slick green algae on which they feed. Brown pelicans were plunging through the upper surface of the water column seeking to fill their gular pouchs as we gently followed the contours of the coastline. Finally all enjoyed a delicious dinner and bonfire on the cooling sands as nightfall set upon the tranquil waters of the gulf.
