Los Islotes
The sunrise set fire to the rocks of Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida as we sailed north for our morning’s destination of Los Islotes. As the ship prepared to anchor, we could hear the California sea lions before they came into our sight. Piles of hide, blubber and bone, these magnificent pinnepeds have the option of lounging on the rocks or flying through the water with their powerful fore flippers.
After breakfast we set out on our fleet of Zodiacs to explore the island and all its inhabitants. The rugged volcanic rocks provide varied nesting or perching sites for the local seabirds. The flat rocks towards the top of the island were used mainly by the nesting blue-footed boobies, while the precarious rock ledges were used for short term perching by the brown boobies. The endemic yellow-footed gulls walked along the waters edge and sometimes took flight in search of a meal. The sea lions were lying anywhere they could arrange their bodies. One sea lion in particular showed off its remarkable flexibility as it struck a pose atop a rock ledge.
Some of us slipped into the water to snorkel and see if we could be as powerful and maneuverable as the sea lions. Although we did not quite measure up, it was amazing to explore their world and watch how graceful and agile they truly are.
During the afternoon we sailed for Isla San Francisco. There, we explored the beautiful calm bay by kayak and hiked over land to look for marine creatures in the tide pools and flowering desert plants on higher ground. While we were exploring, the officers and crew of the ship were preparing a wonderful dinner ashore.
As we finished our meals, we watched the sunset over the Baja peninsula. A bonfire magically appeared and s’mores were passed around…all this under a blanket of stars.
The sunrise set fire to the rocks of Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida as we sailed north for our morning’s destination of Los Islotes. As the ship prepared to anchor, we could hear the California sea lions before they came into our sight. Piles of hide, blubber and bone, these magnificent pinnepeds have the option of lounging on the rocks or flying through the water with their powerful fore flippers.
After breakfast we set out on our fleet of Zodiacs to explore the island and all its inhabitants. The rugged volcanic rocks provide varied nesting or perching sites for the local seabirds. The flat rocks towards the top of the island were used mainly by the nesting blue-footed boobies, while the precarious rock ledges were used for short term perching by the brown boobies. The endemic yellow-footed gulls walked along the waters edge and sometimes took flight in search of a meal. The sea lions were lying anywhere they could arrange their bodies. One sea lion in particular showed off its remarkable flexibility as it struck a pose atop a rock ledge.
Some of us slipped into the water to snorkel and see if we could be as powerful and maneuverable as the sea lions. Although we did not quite measure up, it was amazing to explore their world and watch how graceful and agile they truly are.
During the afternoon we sailed for Isla San Francisco. There, we explored the beautiful calm bay by kayak and hiked over land to look for marine creatures in the tide pools and flowering desert plants on higher ground. While we were exploring, the officers and crew of the ship were preparing a wonderful dinner ashore.
As we finished our meals, we watched the sunset over the Baja peninsula. A bonfire magically appeared and s’mores were passed around…all this under a blanket of stars.
