The wind came up last night and directed us to a protected anchorage near the south end of Isla Espiritu Santo. Going ashore, we felt a bit chilly—a rare feeling lately! Soon many of us were walking into the island’s interior. The wind was impressive and it quickly became obvious that today was not the only windy day. Desert trees that stood at waist and shoulder height on other islands were hugging the ground here, cowering in hunched forms and sprawling in leeward rows like desert krummholz.
Our walk took on a decidedly scatological tone as we found a packrat nest and discussed 50,000-year-old rat pee, viewed twice-digested jackrabbit droppings and saw how birds, when completing the digestive process, ‘plant’ sticky mistletoe seeds in treetops. We saw cardón flowers waiting for an obliging bat and palo adan flowers ready for visiting hummingbirds. After wandering off to find a particularly verdant mesquite tree we found a terracotta-colored rattlesnake, ensconced in leafy debris in a neat and cozy coil. Meanwhile snorkelers found healthy coral and lots of different colorful fish.
In the afternoon we motored north to a well-protected cove, one that none of us had visited before. We found a shore that was rather rocky, but the snorkeling, kayaking and cruises were great. Later on as the day cooled the walkers in our group found copal, coral vine and another scary snake!
The colors today were richly engrossing, from the understated variety of volcanic rocks, through the deep hues of sea to vivid fish and desert flowers. They are reflective of the richness and beauty of earth, sea and sky in Baja California.
