During part of the night we had travelled from Isla Santa Catalina to Los Islotes (the Islets). Los Islotes are two small rocks, made up of volcanic ashes compressed into rock, covered partially in bird guano. A great number of birds nest here (blue-footed and brown boobies, great blue herons, peregrine falcons and ravens). Others (magnificent frigate birds, cormorants, turkey vultures, yellow-footed gulls, and others) use the island to roost at night. But the great attraction on these rocky promontories are the California sea lions. Arf, arf, all day long. A big group of them call this home. Here they are born, live, and try to reproduce. As there are a good number of shelves along the waterfront, where they haul out part of the day.
We snorkeled to our heart’s content in the refreshing waters (!!), among the young ones mainly, as the adults tend to ignore us. These animals literally FLY through the waters, exceedingly gracefully, as if telling us, do YOU really call that swimming?
Then we had a series of Zodiac tours around the islets, hearing and seeing so many things happen. Eventually we had to leave and sail south on the island of Espiritu Santo. Down to its south-eastern point, where a long, graceful beach, called Bonanza, awaited us. Hikes and kayaks were employed, and dinner was soon served, among the grains of sand and with a most marvelous view of the mainland Baja California range. We finished our day with a bonfire and stories by Adrian Cerda.
