Los Islotes and Isla Partida

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Los Islotes and Ensenada Grande (Isla Partida)

 

Today was truly remarkable.  We began this morning with a Zodiac ride to tiny outcroppings of rock populated heavily by birds and sea lions, as the waters here are very rich in fish.  Called Los Islotes, they are north of the island where we spent the afternoon called Isla Partida, and all are due north of La Paz: 

We saw brown boobies and blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, cormorants, pelicans, turkey vultures, and more.  There are many birders on the trip, and they were in heaven!  Here are the islands of Los Islotes:

Silhouettes of pelicans:

 

Some blue-footed boobies:

 

And a collection of pelicans:

There were large numbers of sea lions:

 

Their noise was incredible:

 

Towards the end of our visit, a group of five or six adolescent sea lions, known to be curious critters, came to our boat and circled it, dove under it, porpoised alongside, and generally had a great time investigating us as we had a great time enjoying them:

 While we were at lunch, the ship sailed a short distance to offshore of Ensenada Grande, a beach on Isla Partida.

 

The Zodiacs couldn’t come too close to shore as the water approaching the beach was very shallow, so we walked in the water to the beach:

 

As usual there were options.  The most rigorous was a hike up the adjoining mountain, then was the moderate hike up the arroyo, and there was a beach walk.  I chose the moderate hike and it was not easy.  The arroyo was covered with large rocks:

There were interesting lizards:

 And the largest cactus in the world, giant cardon, also known as elephant cactus. They can be 60 feet tall!

When we came back from the hike, a bar was set up on the beach and there were many beach chairs to rest in.  There were extensive snacks, including Buffalo wings.  But no blue cheese for them.

This evening we had a talk on “Practicing the Art and Science of Marine Conservation.”  I must admit that my attention was not at 100%.  It was a wonderful and exhausting and remarkable day. 

Tomorrow is our last full day; on Thursday we will dock in La Paz and bus to Cabo.  More when I can.