Our visits today to two of the most impressive islands in the Sea of Cortez left a lasting memory with us. Our morning stop was on Isla Santa Catalina. This unique island is important to Lindblad Expeditions, and we have begun to raise funds for the protection of this amazing place. The island has a large number of endemic species, but it was a small example of a non-endemic that caught our eye. An oyster catcher chick sat very still as we walked along the beach. Its parents were nearby making noise and flying around in an attempt to get our attention. The chick knows instinctively to sit motionless when danger is near. We were not dangerous just curious. Our walks on the island did not reveal the endemic rattleless rattlesnake but the views of cactus, other plants, and lizards were quite good with very nice light on them. The morning was finished off with snorkeling from the beach.
During the afternoon, we sailed for Isla Del Carmen. After encountering a few groups of dolphins, both bottlenose and common, we made a landing on a small but lovely beach on the north end of Carmen. Some kayaked while others searched for introduced rocky mountain big horn sheep in the hills. Most took a swim to escape the high temperatures. Once the sun set behind the hills we enjoyed a nice barbeque dinner wonderfully prepared by the crew on the beach.
During the afternoon, we sailed for Isla Del Carmen. After encountering a few groups of dolphins, both bottlenose and common, we made a landing on a small but lovely beach on the north end of Carmen. Some kayaked while others searched for introduced rocky mountain big horn sheep in the hills. Most took a swim to escape the high temperatures. Once the sun set behind the hills we enjoyed a nice barbeque dinner wonderfully prepared by the crew on the beach.
