Isla Partida & Los Islotes
The National Geographic Sea Bird was southbound towards our morning anchorage at Ensenada Grande at dawn. Moonlight played across the rippled water to the west, and a pastel sunrise illuminated the eastern sky. After breakfast we landed in a beautiful bay deeply incised into the weathered volcanic tuff that forms the island of Isla Partida. Kayakers paddled within the teal waters of the sheltered cove, and hikers explored a rocky canyon. Tiny gnatcatchers flitted in the shrubbery and raucous Gila woodpeckers called from the tops of towering cardon cacti. Antelope ground squirrels scampered across the rugged desert landscape.
While we enjoyed a build-your-own-taco buffet for lunch, the officers relocated the ship to some guano-encrusted islets named Los Islotes. Our goal for the afternoon was to snorkel first and then climb into Zodiacs for a closer inspection of this interesting site. We entered the water to find a different world of life and activity. Dazzling fish of every color surrounded us. Now and then a sea lion effortlessly jetted past, propelled by streamlined sweeps of its wing-like front flippers. The young ones, born early last summer, were particularly curious and seemed as interested in us as we were in them.
After everyone was out of the water, we climbed into Zodiacs for a chance to circumnavigate the craggy rock islands and watch the sea lions from a different perspective. Limp bodies of these sunbathing creatures draped across the shoreline. Others quarreled over the prime resting spots. A few of the youngsters followed our rubber boats, checking out the strange mammals within. Not far from the sea lions were Sally-lightfoot crabs that tiptoed through the intertidal region exposed by the low tide.
Hundreds of seabirds clustered around the islets as well. Brown and blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans perched on the cliffs, and others circled overhead. A great-blue heron and endemic yellow-footed gulls checked the water’s edge for tidbits.
Once back aboard the ship, a brilliant sunset lured us to the decks. A golden sky deepened to burnt orange and radiant pink behind Los Islotes. What a spectacular finale for our last full day together in Baja California!
The National Geographic Sea Bird was southbound towards our morning anchorage at Ensenada Grande at dawn. Moonlight played across the rippled water to the west, and a pastel sunrise illuminated the eastern sky. After breakfast we landed in a beautiful bay deeply incised into the weathered volcanic tuff that forms the island of Isla Partida. Kayakers paddled within the teal waters of the sheltered cove, and hikers explored a rocky canyon. Tiny gnatcatchers flitted in the shrubbery and raucous Gila woodpeckers called from the tops of towering cardon cacti. Antelope ground squirrels scampered across the rugged desert landscape.
While we enjoyed a build-your-own-taco buffet for lunch, the officers relocated the ship to some guano-encrusted islets named Los Islotes. Our goal for the afternoon was to snorkel first and then climb into Zodiacs for a closer inspection of this interesting site. We entered the water to find a different world of life and activity. Dazzling fish of every color surrounded us. Now and then a sea lion effortlessly jetted past, propelled by streamlined sweeps of its wing-like front flippers. The young ones, born early last summer, were particularly curious and seemed as interested in us as we were in them.
After everyone was out of the water, we climbed into Zodiacs for a chance to circumnavigate the craggy rock islands and watch the sea lions from a different perspective. Limp bodies of these sunbathing creatures draped across the shoreline. Others quarreled over the prime resting spots. A few of the youngsters followed our rubber boats, checking out the strange mammals within. Not far from the sea lions were Sally-lightfoot crabs that tiptoed through the intertidal region exposed by the low tide.
Hundreds of seabirds clustered around the islets as well. Brown and blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans perched on the cliffs, and others circled overhead. A great-blue heron and endemic yellow-footed gulls checked the water’s edge for tidbits.
Once back aboard the ship, a brilliant sunset lured us to the decks. A golden sky deepened to burnt orange and radiant pink behind Los Islotes. What a spectacular finale for our last full day together in Baja California!
