Los Islotes and Isla Partida Sur, Baja California
Some of us were still in bed when the much expected call woke us up: whales! Yes, in plural, as several Bryde’s and humpback whales were seen around the Sea Voyager. Even a couple more distant fin whales added to the melee. Almost immediately, a fourth, smaller cetacean species joined the party, as the group of long-beaked common dolphins practiced their bow-riding abilities for our and their enjoyment.
Shortly after a hearty breakfast, we brave expeditionaries were riding the waves ourselves in the Zodiacs in order to reach the snorkeling ground at Los Islotes, were the resident colony of California sea lions waited for us. Their elegance and grace underwater rivals those of fishes, even though in this particular morning they seemed to be interested in something other than myself. But there are many more life forms at this place, and the time is quickly spent fish watching. Here at Los Islotes we could find several species of more tropical origins than in other places farther north within the Sea of Cortez, like the bicolor parrotfish, the long-nosed butterfly fish or the blue-and-gold snapper (see photo). Together with the rich reef fauna characteristic of the central Gulf province, the whole place is full of life, ranging from the malevolent crown-of-thorns sea star and the sea tiger nudibranch, to myriad goatfishes and the always elegant king angelfish.
The tremendous sea surface temperature variations throughout the year, as well as the huge phytoplankton blooms caused by nutrient-rich upwellings, make this part of the submarine world one of the most diverse on the planet. And as we continue our journey north within the Gulf in the days to follow, we will be able to notice subtle variations in the composition of the reef faunal species, providing us with necessary inspiration (and excuses!) to keep our souls and bathing suits wet. Man, I can’t wait!
Some of us were still in bed when the much expected call woke us up: whales! Yes, in plural, as several Bryde’s and humpback whales were seen around the Sea Voyager. Even a couple more distant fin whales added to the melee. Almost immediately, a fourth, smaller cetacean species joined the party, as the group of long-beaked common dolphins practiced their bow-riding abilities for our and their enjoyment.
Shortly after a hearty breakfast, we brave expeditionaries were riding the waves ourselves in the Zodiacs in order to reach the snorkeling ground at Los Islotes, were the resident colony of California sea lions waited for us. Their elegance and grace underwater rivals those of fishes, even though in this particular morning they seemed to be interested in something other than myself. But there are many more life forms at this place, and the time is quickly spent fish watching. Here at Los Islotes we could find several species of more tropical origins than in other places farther north within the Sea of Cortez, like the bicolor parrotfish, the long-nosed butterfly fish or the blue-and-gold snapper (see photo). Together with the rich reef fauna characteristic of the central Gulf province, the whole place is full of life, ranging from the malevolent crown-of-thorns sea star and the sea tiger nudibranch, to myriad goatfishes and the always elegant king angelfish.
The tremendous sea surface temperature variations throughout the year, as well as the huge phytoplankton blooms caused by nutrient-rich upwellings, make this part of the submarine world one of the most diverse on the planet. And as we continue our journey north within the Gulf in the days to follow, we will be able to notice subtle variations in the composition of the reef faunal species, providing us with necessary inspiration (and excuses!) to keep our souls and bathing suits wet. Man, I can’t wait!
