Partida Norte and Rasa Islands
Every island in the Sea of Cortez is special, but some are more special than others. This is the case of two, Partida Norte and Rasa, which we visited this day.
Partida Norte is an old and destroyed volcano, very dry and not very high or big. It is one of our favorites since it is the breeding ground for three different animal species: the black and the least storm petrels, and the fish-eating bat. These petrels are among the smallest of their kind and black in coloration. They dig burrows in the sand or simply look for a crevice or a space under the rocks, were they laid a single white egg. The chicks are of a beautiful dark gray color. They nest shoulder to shoulder with the fish-eating bat, a species endemic to the area of the gulf. The fish-eating bat roosts in crevices or under rocks, and even under old marine turtle shells. They feed on fish and pelagic crabs. By this time of the year, they have raised their pups, which are almost the size of the adults but with different coloration. This morning we were so fortunate to find one juvenile individual (photo), with big carnivore orange-throated whiptails in the neighborhood.
After examining the bat, we left Partida and sailed to Rasa, where we spent the afternoon. We enjoyed the island through Zodiac cruises and walks among the nesting birds (Heermman’s gulls, royal and elegant terns) that were present in the thousands. Peregrine falcons were also seen. The day finished with a big and beautiful pinkish moon.
Every island in the Sea of Cortez is special, but some are more special than others. This is the case of two, Partida Norte and Rasa, which we visited this day.
Partida Norte is an old and destroyed volcano, very dry and not very high or big. It is one of our favorites since it is the breeding ground for three different animal species: the black and the least storm petrels, and the fish-eating bat. These petrels are among the smallest of their kind and black in coloration. They dig burrows in the sand or simply look for a crevice or a space under the rocks, were they laid a single white egg. The chicks are of a beautiful dark gray color. They nest shoulder to shoulder with the fish-eating bat, a species endemic to the area of the gulf. The fish-eating bat roosts in crevices or under rocks, and even under old marine turtle shells. They feed on fish and pelagic crabs. By this time of the year, they have raised their pups, which are almost the size of the adults but with different coloration. This morning we were so fortunate to find one juvenile individual (photo), with big carnivore orange-throated whiptails in the neighborhood.
After examining the bat, we left Partida and sailed to Rasa, where we spent the afternoon. We enjoyed the island through Zodiac cruises and walks among the nesting birds (Heermman’s gulls, royal and elegant terns) that were present in the thousands. Peregrine falcons were also seen. The day finished with a big and beautiful pinkish moon.
