Isla del Carmen
Isla del Carmen is the only privately owned island in the Sea of Cortez. However, it is within the Parque Nacional Bahia Loreto and the island is fully protected. Captain Graves brought the Sea Lion into Bahia Ballandra, an indentation along the island’s western shore and we were securely at anchor shortly before sunrise. Morning stretch took place on the bridge deck as the day’s first solar rays painted the Sierra de la Giganta, backbone of the Baja peninsula.
Our fleet of Zodiacs brought us to the nearby sandy beach from which the naturalists led the explorations into the desert interior. Although a desert, life here is abundant, as we soon discovered. Not only cactus species, but also a surprising variety of plant life covered the landscape. Everything was especially green after recent rains. Tracks and other signs of black-tailed jackrabbits and packrats marked the trails.
Carefully, naturalist William Lopez-Forment picked up a scorpion to show us a close look. Both nervous and fascinated we observed intently. Each group came back to share new experiences and new perspectives over lunch. Beachcombing and sea kayaking garnered our interest in the afternoon.
Looking back at the day, a variety of topics was explored during evening recap, including an amazing look, through our microscope and projected onto our monitors, of the diverse and abundant life in the seawater in which we are floating.
On to dinner and dreams of more adventures tomorrow.
Isla del Carmen is the only privately owned island in the Sea of Cortez. However, it is within the Parque Nacional Bahia Loreto and the island is fully protected. Captain Graves brought the Sea Lion into Bahia Ballandra, an indentation along the island’s western shore and we were securely at anchor shortly before sunrise. Morning stretch took place on the bridge deck as the day’s first solar rays painted the Sierra de la Giganta, backbone of the Baja peninsula.
Our fleet of Zodiacs brought us to the nearby sandy beach from which the naturalists led the explorations into the desert interior. Although a desert, life here is abundant, as we soon discovered. Not only cactus species, but also a surprising variety of plant life covered the landscape. Everything was especially green after recent rains. Tracks and other signs of black-tailed jackrabbits and packrats marked the trails.
Carefully, naturalist William Lopez-Forment picked up a scorpion to show us a close look. Both nervous and fascinated we observed intently. Each group came back to share new experiences and new perspectives over lunch. Beachcombing and sea kayaking garnered our interest in the afternoon.
Looking back at the day, a variety of topics was explored during evening recap, including an amazing look, through our microscope and projected onto our monitors, of the diverse and abundant life in the seawater in which we are floating.
On to dinner and dreams of more adventures tomorrow.
