Isla San Marcos and Santa Rosalia
Throughout our many days of exploring Baja California and the Sea of Cortes, more and more interested observers began joining our pre-dawn photography and Zodiac cruises. Inspired by news of the wonderful possibilities for photography, nature hikes, and just plain looking around at the gorgeous light and scenery at that time of day, the numbers of hearty early-risers swelled.
This particular morning, four Zodiacs left the ship for Isla San Marcos just as the faint glow of the rising sun began to light the horizon. The day did not disappoint. While three of the boats cruised the shoreline to admire the island’s beauty and wildlife, one Zodiac, filled with naturalists and photographers landed at a beautiful half-moon bay at the head of a wide arroyo just as sunrise began to fire the sky. For many minutes, both the Sea of Cortes and the sky above blazed the same colors of red, copper and gold. Almost humbled by the sheer beauty and power of the moment, silence fell over the scene … except of course for the clattering of shutters as the photographers among us blazed away!
A wonderful discovery awaited as the exploration of the arroyo continued. Even though a drought of many years has challenged the plants and animals of Baja California, this particular canyon was awash with color and flora. Possibly the result of very localized precipitation, flowering blue morning glories, desert trumpet, saltbush, rabbitbrush and wild cucumber surprised at every turn. Mounds of colorful plants covered the sandy wash as we slowly walked along taking in the spectacular desert scenery.
After lunch, we set sail for the colorful historic mining town of Santa Rosalia. Originally colonized by the French to exploit the area’s metallic riches, Victorian-era gunboats once patrolled the harbor of the now bucolic coastal community. Although the French are long-gone, the area still reflects a Gallic influence in its ambience and architecture. Even the local church was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the well-known architect of the Parisian tower that bears his name. Initially constructed in France, the all-metal church was disassembled overseas and rebuilt in its current location at the center of the little town.
Later in the afternoon, everyone gathered at the old Hotel Frances. Now restored to its original colonial glory, the veranda of the hotel and its ocean view provided the perfect location for an early evening reception. An enjoyable hour or two followed before the setting sun guided us back to the Sea Lion. Thus ended another incredible day in Baja California and the Sea of Cortes.
Throughout our many days of exploring Baja California and the Sea of Cortes, more and more interested observers began joining our pre-dawn photography and Zodiac cruises. Inspired by news of the wonderful possibilities for photography, nature hikes, and just plain looking around at the gorgeous light and scenery at that time of day, the numbers of hearty early-risers swelled.
This particular morning, four Zodiacs left the ship for Isla San Marcos just as the faint glow of the rising sun began to light the horizon. The day did not disappoint. While three of the boats cruised the shoreline to admire the island’s beauty and wildlife, one Zodiac, filled with naturalists and photographers landed at a beautiful half-moon bay at the head of a wide arroyo just as sunrise began to fire the sky. For many minutes, both the Sea of Cortes and the sky above blazed the same colors of red, copper and gold. Almost humbled by the sheer beauty and power of the moment, silence fell over the scene … except of course for the clattering of shutters as the photographers among us blazed away!
A wonderful discovery awaited as the exploration of the arroyo continued. Even though a drought of many years has challenged the plants and animals of Baja California, this particular canyon was awash with color and flora. Possibly the result of very localized precipitation, flowering blue morning glories, desert trumpet, saltbush, rabbitbrush and wild cucumber surprised at every turn. Mounds of colorful plants covered the sandy wash as we slowly walked along taking in the spectacular desert scenery.
After lunch, we set sail for the colorful historic mining town of Santa Rosalia. Originally colonized by the French to exploit the area’s metallic riches, Victorian-era gunboats once patrolled the harbor of the now bucolic coastal community. Although the French are long-gone, the area still reflects a Gallic influence in its ambience and architecture. Even the local church was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the well-known architect of the Parisian tower that bears his name. Initially constructed in France, the all-metal church was disassembled overseas and rebuilt in its current location at the center of the little town.
Later in the afternoon, everyone gathered at the old Hotel Frances. Now restored to its original colonial glory, the veranda of the hotel and its ocean view provided the perfect location for an early evening reception. An enjoyable hour or two followed before the setting sun guided us back to the Sea Lion. Thus ended another incredible day in Baja California and the Sea of Cortes.
