Isla Santa Catalina
It felt like we were in Southeast Alaska rather than Baja California Sur this morning as we sailed through thick fog toward our morning’s destination of Isla Carmen. As the sun rose and the fog slowly burned off, gulls and pelicans flew out of the mist. However, other creatures were at work in these waters as well. A large pod of bottlenose dolphins traveling along the shore of Isla Carmen came in to check out the ship. Group after group of dolphins rode the pressure wave generated by the bow. Six or seven at a time came in swimming and spinning along effortlessly. Occasionally one would look up as if to inspect the unusual beings looking over the railing of the ship.
After breakfast we anchored off the south side of Isla Carmen for our morning adventure. Once a thriving salt works town of three hundred or more people, Salinas is now inhabited by a rotating staff of four caretakers. Many of us followed the old railroad tracks out to the salt pond. White crystals against turquoise blue waters reflected the surrounding mountains and sky. Although the town is now abandoned, you can still walk through the deserted buildings imagining how life might have been in a small island town.
During the early afternoon we sailed for Isla Santa Catalina. Once there, some of us snorkeled around the fringing reef of elephant rock. Clear bright water allowed us to get a peek into the world of Gulf fishes. King angels and balloon fish dominated the rocky reef. Small schools of sergeant majors fed on the large swarms of fish fry being pulled back and forth by the currents.
Hikers went into a sandy arroyo filled with lush desert plants. Huge cardons towered overhead. An endemic rattleless rattlesnake was found under a palo fierro tree on the edge of the arroyo. Even in the shade, this reptile is ready to move. Often it will come to life as the sun sets in search of a meal of mice, lizards or birds. As the sun set we to prepared for our evening meal with thoughts of the adventures tomorrow will bring.
It felt like we were in Southeast Alaska rather than Baja California Sur this morning as we sailed through thick fog toward our morning’s destination of Isla Carmen. As the sun rose and the fog slowly burned off, gulls and pelicans flew out of the mist. However, other creatures were at work in these waters as well. A large pod of bottlenose dolphins traveling along the shore of Isla Carmen came in to check out the ship. Group after group of dolphins rode the pressure wave generated by the bow. Six or seven at a time came in swimming and spinning along effortlessly. Occasionally one would look up as if to inspect the unusual beings looking over the railing of the ship.
After breakfast we anchored off the south side of Isla Carmen for our morning adventure. Once a thriving salt works town of three hundred or more people, Salinas is now inhabited by a rotating staff of four caretakers. Many of us followed the old railroad tracks out to the salt pond. White crystals against turquoise blue waters reflected the surrounding mountains and sky. Although the town is now abandoned, you can still walk through the deserted buildings imagining how life might have been in a small island town.
During the early afternoon we sailed for Isla Santa Catalina. Once there, some of us snorkeled around the fringing reef of elephant rock. Clear bright water allowed us to get a peek into the world of Gulf fishes. King angels and balloon fish dominated the rocky reef. Small schools of sergeant majors fed on the large swarms of fish fry being pulled back and forth by the currents.
Hikers went into a sandy arroyo filled with lush desert plants. Huge cardons towered overhead. An endemic rattleless rattlesnake was found under a palo fierro tree on the edge of the arroyo. Even in the shade, this reptile is ready to move. Often it will come to life as the sun sets in search of a meal of mice, lizards or birds. As the sun set we to prepared for our evening meal with thoughts of the adventures tomorrow will bring.
