Amortajada Mangroves & Half Moon Bay, Isla San Francisco
Today is a day of sightings. First, the rising sun flames the tuff striped Sierra de la Giganta mountain range of the Baja peninsula. Next, with the wind diminished, we thread four Zodiacs through a tide-ripped opening into a mangrove secret garden. There to greet us is a vermillion fly catcher, a splash of scarlet set against the deep greens of mangrove leaves and cardon cactus pillars. Soon we are among ibis, egrets, whimbrels and herons. As the falling tide pulls us back towards the ship, balloon fish and rays are sighted in the shallowing, lime-green water, rippling over the sand flats.
A quick downwind run in the National Geographic Sea Bird and we drop the hook in the protected Half Moon Bay of Isla San Francisco. Within an hour, kayaks are delivered to the arcuate, white sand beach. While some of us stroll the high tide line, others head for tide pools on the windward side. Among the barnacled rocks there are treasures… scurrying ophioroid sea stars, dancing nudibranchs, and slate pencil urchins. Others are challenged in kayaks (finally) by the stiff breeze, and some brave the cool water to snorkel with moray eels and sergeant majors.
All are aboard by sunset, just in time to cheer on the piñata breaking, with the traditional Mexican song…dale, dale, dale. After hearing of the local legend of Cabeza Mechudo at recap, we enjoy a Mexican Fiesta dinner, followed by more tradition… last minute Christmas shopping in the gift shop.
Then, later, there is a most unusual sighting. Guests are retired for the evening, when there comes some commotion from the fan-tail…the ship’s bosun reports one of the Zodiacs missing…. A crew member hears a motor running and turns on a stern light just in time to snap a photo. The picture, as you can see, reveals who has commandeered the Zodiac….after a full report to the bridge, the captain allows that this is an acceptable, if unauthorized, use of one of our Zodiacs… considering it is the night before Christmas.
Today is a day of sightings. First, the rising sun flames the tuff striped Sierra de la Giganta mountain range of the Baja peninsula. Next, with the wind diminished, we thread four Zodiacs through a tide-ripped opening into a mangrove secret garden. There to greet us is a vermillion fly catcher, a splash of scarlet set against the deep greens of mangrove leaves and cardon cactus pillars. Soon we are among ibis, egrets, whimbrels and herons. As the falling tide pulls us back towards the ship, balloon fish and rays are sighted in the shallowing, lime-green water, rippling over the sand flats.
A quick downwind run in the National Geographic Sea Bird and we drop the hook in the protected Half Moon Bay of Isla San Francisco. Within an hour, kayaks are delivered to the arcuate, white sand beach. While some of us stroll the high tide line, others head for tide pools on the windward side. Among the barnacled rocks there are treasures… scurrying ophioroid sea stars, dancing nudibranchs, and slate pencil urchins. Others are challenged in kayaks (finally) by the stiff breeze, and some brave the cool water to snorkel with moray eels and sergeant majors.
All are aboard by sunset, just in time to cheer on the piñata breaking, with the traditional Mexican song…dale, dale, dale. After hearing of the local legend of Cabeza Mechudo at recap, we enjoy a Mexican Fiesta dinner, followed by more tradition… last minute Christmas shopping in the gift shop.
Then, later, there is a most unusual sighting. Guests are retired for the evening, when there comes some commotion from the fan-tail…the ship’s bosun reports one of the Zodiacs missing…. A crew member hears a motor running and turns on a stern light just in time to snap a photo. The picture, as you can see, reveals who has commandeered the Zodiac….after a full report to the bridge, the captain allows that this is an acceptable, if unauthorized, use of one of our Zodiacs… considering it is the night before Christmas.
