Los Islotes and Isla Partida
Take a red, weathered volcanic ash islet, cue barking California sea lions and top everything with a white layer of booby guano and you have set the scene at Los Islotes. These tiny islands to the north of Isla Partida are the result of those two conflicting forces -uplift and erosion- working against each other. While the vertically oriented islets are spectacular in and of themselves our morning was dedicated to their loud, messy inhabitants. To the male sea lion’s territorial barking goes the noise award while to the blue-footed and brown boobies, Heermann’s gulls, brown pelicans and magnificent frigate bird colonies- the poop award. Zodiac tours in the morning brought us closer to the thermal regulating side of sea lion life where they basked on the rocks to warm their sea chilled bodies. The late morning was reserved for some sea going of our own. As if being within feet of these marine mammals in their natural habitat was not enough we proceeded to enter the water with them and were greeted with open flippers. Being as curious as us, our graceful friends wasted no time in coming over to check out what the bobbing, masked creatures were all about. They kept us on our toes with the occasional underwater drive by!
Back at the surface we continued south along Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo to Bahia Bonanza where we set anchor for the rest of the day. Sitting on the fault line of an up-lifted granite/ volcanic ash layer this two to three mile long stretch of beach encourages both lounging and exploration. While many a weary Lindblad traveler enjoyed some quiet time on the beach a few intrepid souls joined Adrian on an endemic species hunt towards the uplifted hillside. They were rewarded with sights of the black jackrabbit and antelope ground squirrel, two animals found on this island and nowhere else. Other highlights of the walk were the northern mockingbird which can mimic up to 38 different bird sounds, agave in bloom and palo verde trees covered in yellow flowers.
After all excursions were completed we all cuddled up next to the fire for a beach barbeque and learned a bit about the origins of Aztec creationism from Adrian. Circled around the campfire, plump with fresh tuna and s’mores, we let twilight settle in and found time to squeeze in a few more photographs. With portraiture being the theme of the night there was no lack of glowing, receptive subjects. This day was one of many smiles, memories and images - digital or otherwise!
Take a red, weathered volcanic ash islet, cue barking California sea lions and top everything with a white layer of booby guano and you have set the scene at Los Islotes. These tiny islands to the north of Isla Partida are the result of those two conflicting forces -uplift and erosion- working against each other. While the vertically oriented islets are spectacular in and of themselves our morning was dedicated to their loud, messy inhabitants. To the male sea lion’s territorial barking goes the noise award while to the blue-footed and brown boobies, Heermann’s gulls, brown pelicans and magnificent frigate bird colonies- the poop award. Zodiac tours in the morning brought us closer to the thermal regulating side of sea lion life where they basked on the rocks to warm their sea chilled bodies. The late morning was reserved for some sea going of our own. As if being within feet of these marine mammals in their natural habitat was not enough we proceeded to enter the water with them and were greeted with open flippers. Being as curious as us, our graceful friends wasted no time in coming over to check out what the bobbing, masked creatures were all about. They kept us on our toes with the occasional underwater drive by!
Back at the surface we continued south along Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo to Bahia Bonanza where we set anchor for the rest of the day. Sitting on the fault line of an up-lifted granite/ volcanic ash layer this two to three mile long stretch of beach encourages both lounging and exploration. While many a weary Lindblad traveler enjoyed some quiet time on the beach a few intrepid souls joined Adrian on an endemic species hunt towards the uplifted hillside. They were rewarded with sights of the black jackrabbit and antelope ground squirrel, two animals found on this island and nowhere else. Other highlights of the walk were the northern mockingbird which can mimic up to 38 different bird sounds, agave in bloom and palo verde trees covered in yellow flowers.
After all excursions were completed we all cuddled up next to the fire for a beach barbeque and learned a bit about the origins of Aztec creationism from Adrian. Circled around the campfire, plump with fresh tuna and s’mores, we let twilight settle in and found time to squeeze in a few more photographs. With portraiture being the theme of the night there was no lack of glowing, receptive subjects. This day was one of many smiles, memories and images - digital or otherwise!
