Isla San Marcos & Santa Rosalia
Shortly after breakfast, we set foot on a lovely beach at San Marcos Island, ready for the first hikes of the voyage. Part of the island is composed of gypsum, and a mining operation is well established on the other side to remove this and ship it away for use as sheetrock wallboard. The area that we visited is quite different. Colorful deposits of volcanic ash embrace a winding canyon that cuts back from the sea into fascinating desert habitat. Immense cardon cactuses tower above desert ironwood and palo blanco trees. Passionflower vines bloomed in profusion and butterflies fluttered everywhere as we wandered inland. Ash-throated flycatchers and a family of verdins scolded from their perches. A red-diamond rattlesnake lay coiled within a small cave near our path, seemingly undisturbed by its unusual visitors.
One group opted for a Zodiac adventure along the rugged shoreline. In addition to enjoying the spectacular scenery, the participants watched curious sea lions sprawled out on the rocks.
After lunch the ship made a brief stop of scientific interest. Dr. William Gilly, a scientist with National Geographic, is conducting research on jumbo (Humboldt) squid. These animals are an important food source for sperm whales in the Gulf of California and provide a major fishery based out of the town of Santa Rosalia, our afternoon destination. One aspect of Dr. Gilly’s work is to investigate oxygen levels at different depths, and our stop was to allow him to make measurements in this region.
Soon after the ship resumed speed, marine mammals slowed our progress. We first watched a fin whale and later a frenzied group of common dolphins.
Finally we reached Santa Rosalia, to explore the town. We walked to a pre-fabricated church designed by Gustave Eiffel, a type that could be taken to French colonies and settlements near the turn of the century. Other structures in the community also have a French heritage based on the influence of El Boleo Copper Company, drawn to this area for its riches. We strolled by old buildings and mining equipment and entered a museum dedicated to the town’s history. By late afternoon most had gathered on the veranda at the Hotel Frances for a relaxing drink before returning to the ship.
While darkness settled around us, the Sea Voyager worked her way out of the harbor. The lights from local squid boats dotted the water. Dr. Gilly dropped a jig designed to attract squid and was able to catch a couple of live individuals for us to see up close before releasing them. What a fascinating end to our first full day together in Baja California!
Shortly after breakfast, we set foot on a lovely beach at San Marcos Island, ready for the first hikes of the voyage. Part of the island is composed of gypsum, and a mining operation is well established on the other side to remove this and ship it away for use as sheetrock wallboard. The area that we visited is quite different. Colorful deposits of volcanic ash embrace a winding canyon that cuts back from the sea into fascinating desert habitat. Immense cardon cactuses tower above desert ironwood and palo blanco trees. Passionflower vines bloomed in profusion and butterflies fluttered everywhere as we wandered inland. Ash-throated flycatchers and a family of verdins scolded from their perches. A red-diamond rattlesnake lay coiled within a small cave near our path, seemingly undisturbed by its unusual visitors.
One group opted for a Zodiac adventure along the rugged shoreline. In addition to enjoying the spectacular scenery, the participants watched curious sea lions sprawled out on the rocks.
After lunch the ship made a brief stop of scientific interest. Dr. William Gilly, a scientist with National Geographic, is conducting research on jumbo (Humboldt) squid. These animals are an important food source for sperm whales in the Gulf of California and provide a major fishery based out of the town of Santa Rosalia, our afternoon destination. One aspect of Dr. Gilly’s work is to investigate oxygen levels at different depths, and our stop was to allow him to make measurements in this region.
Soon after the ship resumed speed, marine mammals slowed our progress. We first watched a fin whale and later a frenzied group of common dolphins.
Finally we reached Santa Rosalia, to explore the town. We walked to a pre-fabricated church designed by Gustave Eiffel, a type that could be taken to French colonies and settlements near the turn of the century. Other structures in the community also have a French heritage based on the influence of El Boleo Copper Company, drawn to this area for its riches. We strolled by old buildings and mining equipment and entered a museum dedicated to the town’s history. By late afternoon most had gathered on the veranda at the Hotel Frances for a relaxing drink before returning to the ship.
While darkness settled around us, the Sea Voyager worked her way out of the harbor. The lights from local squid boats dotted the water. Dr. Gilly dropped a jig designed to attract squid and was able to catch a couple of live individuals for us to see up close before releasing them. What a fascinating end to our first full day together in Baja California!
