Isla Santa Catalina
The first day of an expedition is always exciting, but in the Sea of Cortez it’s pure magic. With sunrise along the jagged peaks of the Sierra de la Giganta, the backbone of the Baja Peninsula, and common dolphins riding the bow National Geographic Sea Bird as we cruise along the shores of Isla del Carmen, it’s a great way to start a day!
This expedition is extra special in many ways. Not only is this a great time to be exploring remote desert islands and searching for marine mammals, but Sven Lindblad is our expedition leader.
After lunch we arrive at one of the jewels in the Sea of Cortez, Isla Catalina. This island is special for its spectacular desert scenery, a beautiful arch known as Elephant Rock, and for the many endemic plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet, including the giant barrel cactus and the rattle-less rattlesnake. Although no snakes are spotted today, the barrel cacti are blooming and warm afternoon light paints hillsides studded with tall cardón cacti.
And to top off the day, many of us linger on shore to photograph the landscape at twilight, while others enjoy a stationary walk sipping margaritas on the beach. As the constellations become visible in the heavens above, we make images with long, 30-second exposures while painting the foreground cacti with flashlights. Captain Coughlin himself puts the finishing touches on our masterpieces by lighting up Elephant Rock with the ship’s searchlight. A great ending indeed to a great day!
