Los Islotes and Isla San Francisco
We started the day at full throttle with groups of early risers taking advantage of the great light of sunrise to go visit the California sea lions at Los Islotes. Being such photogenic creatures, the sea lions modeled for the avid photographers, the clicking of their cameras rivaling the cacophony of the rookery. After breakfast, Zodiac cruises and photographic adventures continued at a more civilized hour; blue footed and brown boobies, magnificent frigate birds and the occasional great blue heron competed with the sea lions for our attention. However, I think that the overabundant bobito flies were the recipients of our efforts as we tried not to swallow too many of them while breathing. Even though some people truly believe that they feed on our anxiety and desperation, they are actually important members of the island’s ecosystem, speeding up the recycling of guano’s nutrients back into the ocean. Anyway, they gave us the perfect excuse (as if we need one!) to plunge into the clear waters for some undersea exploration. Snorkelers were able to admire up-close and personal the charismatic sea lions and a myriad fish, ranging in size from the two-inch long scissortail damselfish to the three-foot long leopard grouper.
As the Sea Bird sailed north shortly after midday, we encountered a large group of feeding common dolphins. They were kind enough to stop in their feeding of small schooling fish every once in a while to marvel us as they came bow-riding and swimming right next to us. Lunch was announced then, but many of us were true to Ralph Lee Hopkins’ saying that eating is optional. Well, I’m not so sure about that under normal circumstances, but I totally agree with him whenever dolphins are around. Their spectacular speed and jumping gave us lots of pictures of water and some good photographs, but most importantly, a lot of joy and amusement!
Such a wonderful day could only be completed with some kayaking, hiking and a delicious barbecue dinner on the beach at Half-Moon Bay on Isla San Francisco. It is a rough life, you know?
We started the day at full throttle with groups of early risers taking advantage of the great light of sunrise to go visit the California sea lions at Los Islotes. Being such photogenic creatures, the sea lions modeled for the avid photographers, the clicking of their cameras rivaling the cacophony of the rookery. After breakfast, Zodiac cruises and photographic adventures continued at a more civilized hour; blue footed and brown boobies, magnificent frigate birds and the occasional great blue heron competed with the sea lions for our attention. However, I think that the overabundant bobito flies were the recipients of our efforts as we tried not to swallow too many of them while breathing. Even though some people truly believe that they feed on our anxiety and desperation, they are actually important members of the island’s ecosystem, speeding up the recycling of guano’s nutrients back into the ocean. Anyway, they gave us the perfect excuse (as if we need one!) to plunge into the clear waters for some undersea exploration. Snorkelers were able to admire up-close and personal the charismatic sea lions and a myriad fish, ranging in size from the two-inch long scissortail damselfish to the three-foot long leopard grouper.
As the Sea Bird sailed north shortly after midday, we encountered a large group of feeding common dolphins. They were kind enough to stop in their feeding of small schooling fish every once in a while to marvel us as they came bow-riding and swimming right next to us. Lunch was announced then, but many of us were true to Ralph Lee Hopkins’ saying that eating is optional. Well, I’m not so sure about that under normal circumstances, but I totally agree with him whenever dolphins are around. Their spectacular speed and jumping gave us lots of pictures of water and some good photographs, but most importantly, a lot of joy and amusement!
Such a wonderful day could only be completed with some kayaking, hiking and a delicious barbecue dinner on the beach at Half-Moon Bay on Isla San Francisco. It is a rough life, you know?
