Ensenada Grande, Isla Partida
Many shallow bays incise the volcanic tuff formations on the west side of Islas Partida and Espiritu Santo. About seventeen million years ago an explosive period of volcanism built up a plateau of ash and other debris. During the formation of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), faulting and rifting caused these islands, and the resulting Baja Peninsula itself, to tilt down toward the west. This produced dramatic, precipitous cliffs on the east that slope gently westward.
This morning we anchored the Sea Lion in a lovely bay called Ensenada Grande, where we went ashore to hike and explore. To greet us was a reddish egret searching for prey in the flooded sand flat. A group of long hikers trekked to the east side of the island where they got a great view from the top of the high cliffs. Other groups did less strenuous walks and had an interesting introduction to the desert plants, some of which were in brilliant bloom. Endemic antelope ground squirrels bounded from rock to rock, tail curled over their back, feeding on seeds and flowers. This animal is able to be active during the day, when nocturnal species are sleeping, therefore avoiding competition. We also saw signs left by the endemic black jackrabbit and the ringtail “cat”, related to the raccoon.
We set up for snorkeling in the afternoon and many people took the opportunity to glimpse the colorful world below the sea surface. Garden eels stole the show, “growing” out of the sandy bottom and waving to and fro in the currents.
Today was a wonderful commencement to our expedition through Baja California on the Sea Lion. Whether we elect to be active or just relax, we have the luxury to choose the pace and intensity of our voyage.
Many shallow bays incise the volcanic tuff formations on the west side of Islas Partida and Espiritu Santo. About seventeen million years ago an explosive period of volcanism built up a plateau of ash and other debris. During the formation of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), faulting and rifting caused these islands, and the resulting Baja Peninsula itself, to tilt down toward the west. This produced dramatic, precipitous cliffs on the east that slope gently westward.
This morning we anchored the Sea Lion in a lovely bay called Ensenada Grande, where we went ashore to hike and explore. To greet us was a reddish egret searching for prey in the flooded sand flat. A group of long hikers trekked to the east side of the island where they got a great view from the top of the high cliffs. Other groups did less strenuous walks and had an interesting introduction to the desert plants, some of which were in brilliant bloom. Endemic antelope ground squirrels bounded from rock to rock, tail curled over their back, feeding on seeds and flowers. This animal is able to be active during the day, when nocturnal species are sleeping, therefore avoiding competition. We also saw signs left by the endemic black jackrabbit and the ringtail “cat”, related to the raccoon.
We set up for snorkeling in the afternoon and many people took the opportunity to glimpse the colorful world below the sea surface. Garden eels stole the show, “growing” out of the sandy bottom and waving to and fro in the currents.
Today was a wonderful commencement to our expedition through Baja California on the Sea Lion. Whether we elect to be active or just relax, we have the luxury to choose the pace and intensity of our voyage.
