Isla Carmen & Isla Santa Catalina
This morning’s activities started at Isla Carmen, an impressive volcanic island with many thick marine sediment layers. After breakfast we went ashore for some hikes along a beautiful wash that is surrounded by red rocks, called “Arroyo Rojo” (Red wash). Along these hikes we were able to see desert iguanas, sweet pitayas in bloom, a flock of black-throated sparrows and even big horn sheep scat.
Part of the group went for Zodiac cruises along the shore line of the island, enjoying close looks of Sally light foot crabs, barnacles, sea stars and shore birds. We observed some amazing caves, carved by the action of water on the soft sand stone with ancient fossils of shells, sand dollars and snails exposed on the walls and roofs.
After lunch we slowly cruised towards Isla Santa Catalina, our afternoon’s destination. Along the way, those of us who were on deck had a quick view of four dwarf sperm whales and a few common dolphins that zoomed by the ship.
Santa Catalina welcomed us and offered the best for our activities: snorkeling in clear water, kayaking along beautiful beaches and hiking along an arroyo. During the hike we spent time looking for the elusive rattleless rattlesnake around the jojoba, palo verde, copal and other shrubs and small trees. But the highlight of the walk was a white-footed mouse running scared away from us. For sure this was another wonderful day in this unique place of the world, where the “Desert Meets the Sea.”
This morning’s activities started at Isla Carmen, an impressive volcanic island with many thick marine sediment layers. After breakfast we went ashore for some hikes along a beautiful wash that is surrounded by red rocks, called “Arroyo Rojo” (Red wash). Along these hikes we were able to see desert iguanas, sweet pitayas in bloom, a flock of black-throated sparrows and even big horn sheep scat.
Part of the group went for Zodiac cruises along the shore line of the island, enjoying close looks of Sally light foot crabs, barnacles, sea stars and shore birds. We observed some amazing caves, carved by the action of water on the soft sand stone with ancient fossils of shells, sand dollars and snails exposed on the walls and roofs.
After lunch we slowly cruised towards Isla Santa Catalina, our afternoon’s destination. Along the way, those of us who were on deck had a quick view of four dwarf sperm whales and a few common dolphins that zoomed by the ship.
Santa Catalina welcomed us and offered the best for our activities: snorkeling in clear water, kayaking along beautiful beaches and hiking along an arroyo. During the hike we spent time looking for the elusive rattleless rattlesnake around the jojoba, palo verde, copal and other shrubs and small trees. But the highlight of the walk was a white-footed mouse running scared away from us. For sure this was another wonderful day in this unique place of the world, where the “Desert Meets the Sea.”
