Isla del Carmen
The morning sun bathed the escarpment of volcanic rocks known as the Sierra de la Giganta as the Sea Lion motored north. Long-beaked common dolphins surrounded the ship, leaping, splashing, and slapping beside us. Now and then a needlefish skittered across the surface, startled by our passage. Mobulas, small versions of manta rays, jumped clear of the deep blue water.
The ship anchored for the afternoon in a quiet bay where we ventured forth for snorkeling near a rocky shore. The underwater world came alive with graceful king angelfish, elongate reef cornetfish, and many other species. Some swimmers were lucky to see the scorpionfish, a poisonous and very well camouflaged creature resting on the bottom.
Hikers headed inland across saline flats past fiddler crab homes and pools where sea hares crawled. The desert was painted green with growth, including the blossoms of passionflowers, rock daisies, and jimsonweed. Signs of jackrabbits were everywhere. White-winged doves, gnatcatchers, and orioles flitted in the lush vegetation that had sprung up from rains earlier in the season. Back at the water's edge, beachcombers gathered an assortment of interesting shells, shark jaws, porcupine puffer fish, and a handsome triggerfish. There was something for everyone today, and it was a beautiful introduction to this special part of the world.
The morning sun bathed the escarpment of volcanic rocks known as the Sierra de la Giganta as the Sea Lion motored north. Long-beaked common dolphins surrounded the ship, leaping, splashing, and slapping beside us. Now and then a needlefish skittered across the surface, startled by our passage. Mobulas, small versions of manta rays, jumped clear of the deep blue water.
The ship anchored for the afternoon in a quiet bay where we ventured forth for snorkeling near a rocky shore. The underwater world came alive with graceful king angelfish, elongate reef cornetfish, and many other species. Some swimmers were lucky to see the scorpionfish, a poisonous and very well camouflaged creature resting on the bottom.
Hikers headed inland across saline flats past fiddler crab homes and pools where sea hares crawled. The desert was painted green with growth, including the blossoms of passionflowers, rock daisies, and jimsonweed. Signs of jackrabbits were everywhere. White-winged doves, gnatcatchers, and orioles flitted in the lush vegetation that had sprung up from rains earlier in the season. Back at the water's edge, beachcombers gathered an assortment of interesting shells, shark jaws, porcupine puffer fish, and a handsome triggerfish. There was something for everyone today, and it was a beautiful introduction to this special part of the world.
