San Marcial & Isla Santa Catalina
Knotted strings of pinkish clouds stretched loosely near the horizon as we turned toward the beige cliffs of San Marcial. The officers anchored between twin coves as we made plans for the morning. This peninsular landing offers good hiking, kayaking and a chance to explore the intertidal world.
Dr. William Gilly, our National Geographic guest lecturer, knew of a great place to look for intertidal invertebrates on a northern point. Three Zodiacs full of curious adventurers landed and searched the cracks and crannies like a starving, foraging party. The tide was exceptionally low because of a new moon, so we could even peer into the sub-tidal world. Although slate pencil urchins, sun stars and brittle stars were intellectually consumed, the real thrill was a large octopus that retreated under a rock. Numerous hands caught it and put it in a clear plastic box. At times it took as many hands as the octopus had arms just to keep it in its make-shift aquarium. Soon it settled down. We placed a dark and bumpy cantelope-sized rock next to it, and the octopus took on the same shape, color, and pattern of the rock. It even changed its surface texture to mimic the bumps. Newly arriving guests couldn’t tell which lump was the octopus!
We made our way toward Isla Santa Catalina during lunch. This beautiful oceanic island has been separated from mainland Mexico for millions of years. Some consider it the crown jewel of the gulf islands, perhaps for what it signifies. All of the reptiles are endemic to the subspecies level, and most to the species level. Endemic giant barrel cacti and cardons cover the barren and rocky slopes with a huge biomass of green. White-winged doves, cardinals and other birds were conspicuous as we hiked along the broad flat arroyo. We also snorkeled in clear water in a granite cove and admired the rock elephant that watched over us.
This is the sixth day of our trip and we feel relaxed amongst our new companions. Our guarded personalities are fading away and youth is returning. It is becoming a time when we don’t have to keep from erupting into giggles and cascades of laughter. Although certainly not as responsible, one could argue that it’s more fun to be a child. Some older individuals on this trip clearly showed that. It’s good fun playing out here. Physical activity is healthy. Curiosity and wonder thrive. By the way, how does an octopus know how to make bumps on its flesh that look like a rock?
Knotted strings of pinkish clouds stretched loosely near the horizon as we turned toward the beige cliffs of San Marcial. The officers anchored between twin coves as we made plans for the morning. This peninsular landing offers good hiking, kayaking and a chance to explore the intertidal world.
Dr. William Gilly, our National Geographic guest lecturer, knew of a great place to look for intertidal invertebrates on a northern point. Three Zodiacs full of curious adventurers landed and searched the cracks and crannies like a starving, foraging party. The tide was exceptionally low because of a new moon, so we could even peer into the sub-tidal world. Although slate pencil urchins, sun stars and brittle stars were intellectually consumed, the real thrill was a large octopus that retreated under a rock. Numerous hands caught it and put it in a clear plastic box. At times it took as many hands as the octopus had arms just to keep it in its make-shift aquarium. Soon it settled down. We placed a dark and bumpy cantelope-sized rock next to it, and the octopus took on the same shape, color, and pattern of the rock. It even changed its surface texture to mimic the bumps. Newly arriving guests couldn’t tell which lump was the octopus!
We made our way toward Isla Santa Catalina during lunch. This beautiful oceanic island has been separated from mainland Mexico for millions of years. Some consider it the crown jewel of the gulf islands, perhaps for what it signifies. All of the reptiles are endemic to the subspecies level, and most to the species level. Endemic giant barrel cacti and cardons cover the barren and rocky slopes with a huge biomass of green. White-winged doves, cardinals and other birds were conspicuous as we hiked along the broad flat arroyo. We also snorkeled in clear water in a granite cove and admired the rock elephant that watched over us.
This is the sixth day of our trip and we feel relaxed amongst our new companions. Our guarded personalities are fading away and youth is returning. It is becoming a time when we don’t have to keep from erupting into giggles and cascades of laughter. Although certainly not as responsible, one could argue that it’s more fun to be a child. Some older individuals on this trip clearly showed that. It’s good fun playing out here. Physical activity is healthy. Curiosity and wonder thrive. By the way, how does an octopus know how to make bumps on its flesh that look like a rock?
