Ensenada Grande & Los Islotes
Our heads were spinning after hearing Harvard Professor, Charles Burnham’s talk, Glaciers, Ice Sheets and Sea Level Rise: What’s happening now? Though we were immersed in the details of an uncertain future, the peacefulness of this morning’s anchorage eased us into a more tranquil state of mind. Ensenada Grande on Isla Espiritu Santo is a sandy-bottomed cove lined by lacey volcanic rock formations called taffoni. This was the perfect setting to enjoy a relaxing morning hiking and kayaking.
As a westerly wind carried cold wind and humidity from the Pacific Ocean, the temperature dropped and we even experienced a little rainfall. Winter rains in this part of the Sonoran Desert are called equipatas or “little packages” of rain. As the name implies, very little rain fell, but it was enough to cause some excitement. For one, it made our kayak all the more exhilarating. The short journey was visually impressive as well—cast against slate-colored skies, brown pelicans dove for surface fish, Sally light-foot crabs danced on sea eroded volcanic protrusions and Mobula rays leaped out of turquoise water.
The hike, on the other hand, provided evidence as to why the rain is so desperately needed. Unlike, Isla Santa Catalina, Espiritu Santo is very dry and the plants have demonstrated how they are able to withstand extreme aridity. Many had few leaves and entire plants such as the aromatic Coulterella capitata had withered back almost entirely. Who knows what the rain might bring?
After lunch the National Geographic Sea Lion cruised north up the southern coast of Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida to a rocky outlet called Los Islotes. We encountered gigantic waves, but in the rough waters we were able to spot a Bryde’s Whale. For a good while it seemed to linger just in front of the bow before disappearing.
At Los Islotes or “the islets,” we had the opportunity to cruise in zodiacs along its rocky shoreline. These islets are the southernmost reproductive site for the California Sea Lion. It was easy to distinguish the larger and darker male sea lions from the lighter colored and smaller females. Some of the females were still nursing last summer’s pups. What a nice surprise it was when groups of the younger ones encircled our zodiacs and some of them even leaped out of the water!
Upon return to our vessel, we were given a very informative talk about the Birgham Expedition into the Gulf of California by David Skally. This was followed by lively discussion about our day’s encounters and yet another wonderful dinner.
To top off a wonderful day, we attended a presentation video on Isla Rasa by members of our natural history staff, Sara Poisson & Alberto Montaudon. What wonders will tomorrow hold for us?
Our heads were spinning after hearing Harvard Professor, Charles Burnham’s talk, Glaciers, Ice Sheets and Sea Level Rise: What’s happening now? Though we were immersed in the details of an uncertain future, the peacefulness of this morning’s anchorage eased us into a more tranquil state of mind. Ensenada Grande on Isla Espiritu Santo is a sandy-bottomed cove lined by lacey volcanic rock formations called taffoni. This was the perfect setting to enjoy a relaxing morning hiking and kayaking.
As a westerly wind carried cold wind and humidity from the Pacific Ocean, the temperature dropped and we even experienced a little rainfall. Winter rains in this part of the Sonoran Desert are called equipatas or “little packages” of rain. As the name implies, very little rain fell, but it was enough to cause some excitement. For one, it made our kayak all the more exhilarating. The short journey was visually impressive as well—cast against slate-colored skies, brown pelicans dove for surface fish, Sally light-foot crabs danced on sea eroded volcanic protrusions and Mobula rays leaped out of turquoise water.
The hike, on the other hand, provided evidence as to why the rain is so desperately needed. Unlike, Isla Santa Catalina, Espiritu Santo is very dry and the plants have demonstrated how they are able to withstand extreme aridity. Many had few leaves and entire plants such as the aromatic Coulterella capitata had withered back almost entirely. Who knows what the rain might bring?
After lunch the National Geographic Sea Lion cruised north up the southern coast of Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida to a rocky outlet called Los Islotes. We encountered gigantic waves, but in the rough waters we were able to spot a Bryde’s Whale. For a good while it seemed to linger just in front of the bow before disappearing.
At Los Islotes or “the islets,” we had the opportunity to cruise in zodiacs along its rocky shoreline. These islets are the southernmost reproductive site for the California Sea Lion. It was easy to distinguish the larger and darker male sea lions from the lighter colored and smaller females. Some of the females were still nursing last summer’s pups. What a nice surprise it was when groups of the younger ones encircled our zodiacs and some of them even leaped out of the water!
Upon return to our vessel, we were given a very informative talk about the Birgham Expedition into the Gulf of California by David Skally. This was followed by lively discussion about our day’s encounters and yet another wonderful dinner.
To top off a wonderful day, we attended a presentation video on Isla Rasa by members of our natural history staff, Sara Poisson & Alberto Montaudon. What wonders will tomorrow hold for us?
