Bahia Bonanaza and Los Islotes
A strong south wind followed us, on our first day, into the Bonanza bay. This is only one of the many gorgeous bays that can be found along the shores of the Isla Espiritu Santo. The pristine beach was covered with the numerous remains of broken shells that have been polished over time into jewels. It was a little too choppy for water sports this morning so we focused on our walks.
The La Paz fault runs right through this region and is evident by the composition of the rock found here. One side of this bay is volcanic while the other side is granitic, so one can actually stand with one foot on each! We scrambled over and around the impressive boulders. Granite rock tends to fracture vertically at the surface. These fractures are then weathered by water and freezing temperatures over time and the rock mass breaks up into blocks that are rounded into boulders.
After reluctantly departing from this paradisiacal haven, we found ourselves moving north towards Los Islotes. It appears that this bit of tuffstone most likely fractured off from the main Isla Partida Norte and sits alone providing an important rookery for the breeding California sea lion. The scuba divers encountered giant tiger nudibranchs and jewel morays that festooned the rocky substrate while snorkelers splashed around on the surface with inquisitive sea lions. Zodiac cruises around the island gave us great views of the brown and blue-footed booby birds that nest here. And then a surprise! Amongst the squabbling sea lions was an oddity…an elephant seal! It appears that this young vagrant male decided to explore and ended up here. Northern Elephant seals range widely to forage into the eastern and central North Pacific and this fellow was no exception.
Our journey into the magical Sea of Cortez was just beginning. What wondrous things would unfold tomorrow?
A strong south wind followed us, on our first day, into the Bonanza bay. This is only one of the many gorgeous bays that can be found along the shores of the Isla Espiritu Santo. The pristine beach was covered with the numerous remains of broken shells that have been polished over time into jewels. It was a little too choppy for water sports this morning so we focused on our walks.
The La Paz fault runs right through this region and is evident by the composition of the rock found here. One side of this bay is volcanic while the other side is granitic, so one can actually stand with one foot on each! We scrambled over and around the impressive boulders. Granite rock tends to fracture vertically at the surface. These fractures are then weathered by water and freezing temperatures over time and the rock mass breaks up into blocks that are rounded into boulders.
After reluctantly departing from this paradisiacal haven, we found ourselves moving north towards Los Islotes. It appears that this bit of tuffstone most likely fractured off from the main Isla Partida Norte and sits alone providing an important rookery for the breeding California sea lion. The scuba divers encountered giant tiger nudibranchs and jewel morays that festooned the rocky substrate while snorkelers splashed around on the surface with inquisitive sea lions. Zodiac cruises around the island gave us great views of the brown and blue-footed booby birds that nest here. And then a surprise! Amongst the squabbling sea lions was an oddity…an elephant seal! It appears that this young vagrant male decided to explore and ended up here. Northern Elephant seals range widely to forage into the eastern and central North Pacific and this fellow was no exception.
Our journey into the magical Sea of Cortez was just beginning. What wondrous things would unfold tomorrow?
