Cruising and Isla Carmen, Gulf of California, Mexico
As the orange shafts of early morning light penetrated the gulf air, we found that we were surrounded by much beauty. A rosy haze slowly spread across the flanks of Sierra de la Giganta, highlighting the multiple colored layers of debris from successive volcanic eruptions. The sea had flattened into a mirror-like state making it easier for us upon the Sea Bird to pick out any surface activity. A flash of white and black followed by a huge splash marked the presence of a mobula, or devilfish, member of the manta ray family. Off in the distance, a geyser of white water shot up into the air followed by several more. We had found what appeared to be a group of feeding humpbacks and we oohed and aahed their tail throwing and fluking behavior. Adding to that, several bottlenose dolphins eagerly joined our ship to ride the pressure wave created by its passage. Huge gray muscular bodies swam effortlessly, turning from side to side as if to get a better look at our inquisitive faces peering down..
Our afternoon activities got underway once we had secured our anchorage just off the rocky shoreline of Isla Carmen. This island, as well as Isla Danzante and Coronado, form a protective barrier for the nearby port of Loreto against summer storms. The air had warmed considerably since our whale watching this morning on deck, and many of our guests were donning bathing suits or hiking apparel in preparation for the afternoon’s activities. Recent rains had brought forth a multitude of flowers and their brilliant colors splattered the arroyo walls. The gravelly surface crunched beneath our feet as we followed our naturalists, intent upon learning about the plants and creatures of this arid community.
The water around the rocks of our snorkeling sight was teeming with life. Bushy soft corals and lacy orange sea fans swayed back in forth in rhythm with the soft surge of the sea. Bright blue sea stars, spiny brown urchins and fat succulent sea cucumbers littered the sea floor. A colorful spiny lobster defended its crack in a rock while speckled balloon fish eyed us with calm indifference. Clouds of Panamic sergeant majors darted this way and that, possibly feeding on minute particles of plankton. A pale reef cornet fish flicked its long thin tail once and vanished.
As our first day drew to a close in the Gulf of California, recap unfolded in the lounge with a video review of our underwater creatures and island biogeography.
As the orange shafts of early morning light penetrated the gulf air, we found that we were surrounded by much beauty. A rosy haze slowly spread across the flanks of Sierra de la Giganta, highlighting the multiple colored layers of debris from successive volcanic eruptions. The sea had flattened into a mirror-like state making it easier for us upon the Sea Bird to pick out any surface activity. A flash of white and black followed by a huge splash marked the presence of a mobula, or devilfish, member of the manta ray family. Off in the distance, a geyser of white water shot up into the air followed by several more. We had found what appeared to be a group of feeding humpbacks and we oohed and aahed their tail throwing and fluking behavior. Adding to that, several bottlenose dolphins eagerly joined our ship to ride the pressure wave created by its passage. Huge gray muscular bodies swam effortlessly, turning from side to side as if to get a better look at our inquisitive faces peering down..
Our afternoon activities got underway once we had secured our anchorage just off the rocky shoreline of Isla Carmen. This island, as well as Isla Danzante and Coronado, form a protective barrier for the nearby port of Loreto against summer storms. The air had warmed considerably since our whale watching this morning on deck, and many of our guests were donning bathing suits or hiking apparel in preparation for the afternoon’s activities. Recent rains had brought forth a multitude of flowers and their brilliant colors splattered the arroyo walls. The gravelly surface crunched beneath our feet as we followed our naturalists, intent upon learning about the plants and creatures of this arid community.
The water around the rocks of our snorkeling sight was teeming with life. Bushy soft corals and lacy orange sea fans swayed back in forth in rhythm with the soft surge of the sea. Bright blue sea stars, spiny brown urchins and fat succulent sea cucumbers littered the sea floor. A colorful spiny lobster defended its crack in a rock while speckled balloon fish eyed us with calm indifference. Clouds of Panamic sergeant majors darted this way and that, possibly feeding on minute particles of plankton. A pale reef cornet fish flicked its long thin tail once and vanished.
As our first day drew to a close in the Gulf of California, recap unfolded in the lounge with a video review of our underwater creatures and island biogeography.
