We spent the day heading north through the Gulf of California. Since winds often come from that direction, any chance to move that way is an opportunity. In the morning we paused to watch a big herd of common dolphins. These gregarious creatures are always found in big groups. These seemed to be feeding and they milled around without really moving with any decisiveness. Dolphins are beautiful creatures, elegant in form and gorgeously striped, and we spent enough time to enjoy close views of many of them.
Birdwatching was also good today and some of us saw some very unusual ones—a red-footed booby as well as a Laysan albatross.
We found more birds at Isla San Ildefonso. This small island is a bird nesting sanctuary and we observed brown pelican and blue-footed booby nests. Brown boobies were also common, and some of us were “anointed” by one as it flew by—Oh such good luck! Great flocks of tiny eared grebes paddled around the island and we were close enough to see their startlingly scarlet eyes and their golden “ears.” Sally Lightfoot crabs sported the same bright colors as they scuttled along the sea’s edge—as always, often very close but never within reach.
By the time we reached Isla San Ildefonso the wind had risen, making exploration a bit bouncy, but since wind stirs the waters of the Gulf of California, adding much to its productivity, we tried to be appreciative.
