Los Islotes/ Isla Espiritu Santo
We have been cavorting these past few days in the Gulf of California with colorful kayaks on the water, and snorkels and fins beneath the waves. Today, however the real fun started as soon as we approached Los Islotes, at the moment we heard the undulating beating of insistent sea lion yearlings complaining, discussing and commenting their wishes to the wind, and to whoever else would listen, including snorkelers and Zodiac cruisers. Their mothers, however have other matters to attend instead of listening to a three quarters grown sea lion pup complain. These females are almost ready to give birth to a new generation of noisy complainers.
Soft and squishy are the rocks over which they rest, at least for them, who make them seem quite comfortable, easy to climb and even warm, of course, with a thick layer of blubber which none of us would ever envy. The water itself becomes a playground for these rambunctious puppies. We watched these little animals practice their pirouettes, nibble on our flippers, and share their playground with us. I still cannot tell who had more fun, humans with sea lions, or vice versa.
While cruising aboard our Zodiacs, We could also appreciate the rich avifauna of this bird sanctuary. Blue footed boobies, brown boobies, magnificent frigate birds, turkey vultures and even a peregrine falcon awaited for the up drifting wind thermals to take a free ride to high altitudes. On the rocks we found black turnstones looking for little critters to eat, and though they were sprinkled with water when the waves crashed on the rocks, they didn’t seem to mind.
After our great experience in Los Islotes, Linda’s slide illustrated presentation took place. She pointed out the most important strategies that desert organisms use in order to survive in these extreme conditions. After lunch some people had a chance to take a power nap, while others stayed at the bow as we sailed southbound to Bahia Dispensa, where we spent the afternoon snorkeling and hiking.
After recap, “The Two Amigos,” (Chris and Alberto) played their guitars and sang one of their songs (written a few minutes before), and everyone enjoyed the captain’s farewell dinner. Finally Bill presented his underwater footage to let everyone enjoy the Mexican undersea realm.
We have been cavorting these past few days in the Gulf of California with colorful kayaks on the water, and snorkels and fins beneath the waves. Today, however the real fun started as soon as we approached Los Islotes, at the moment we heard the undulating beating of insistent sea lion yearlings complaining, discussing and commenting their wishes to the wind, and to whoever else would listen, including snorkelers and Zodiac cruisers. Their mothers, however have other matters to attend instead of listening to a three quarters grown sea lion pup complain. These females are almost ready to give birth to a new generation of noisy complainers.
Soft and squishy are the rocks over which they rest, at least for them, who make them seem quite comfortable, easy to climb and even warm, of course, with a thick layer of blubber which none of us would ever envy. The water itself becomes a playground for these rambunctious puppies. We watched these little animals practice their pirouettes, nibble on our flippers, and share their playground with us. I still cannot tell who had more fun, humans with sea lions, or vice versa.
While cruising aboard our Zodiacs, We could also appreciate the rich avifauna of this bird sanctuary. Blue footed boobies, brown boobies, magnificent frigate birds, turkey vultures and even a peregrine falcon awaited for the up drifting wind thermals to take a free ride to high altitudes. On the rocks we found black turnstones looking for little critters to eat, and though they were sprinkled with water when the waves crashed on the rocks, they didn’t seem to mind.
After our great experience in Los Islotes, Linda’s slide illustrated presentation took place. She pointed out the most important strategies that desert organisms use in order to survive in these extreme conditions. After lunch some people had a chance to take a power nap, while others stayed at the bow as we sailed southbound to Bahia Dispensa, where we spent the afternoon snorkeling and hiking.
After recap, “The Two Amigos,” (Chris and Alberto) played their guitars and sang one of their songs (written a few minutes before), and everyone enjoyed the captain’s farewell dinner. Finally Bill presented his underwater footage to let everyone enjoy the Mexican undersea realm.
