Isla Plazas and Santa Fe--June 13

The Musician's friends wanted to see more pictures of him.
I suppose they weren't convinced I actually brought him along.

I woke up feeling rested, but thought we must be on the downswing of the trip. It's half-over and I felt like we peaked a few days before. How could it be better than sea lions and turtles?  Well, today was the day it struck me how different each island really is. There is such a range from sharp lava rock to smooth lava rock to lush vegetation to sand to desert. Even the snorkeling is different . . .rough water, smooth water, different animals to encounter.

We started on Isla Plazas with a hike. The terrain was rocky with sharp drop offs into the ocean. It quickly changed to a flatter surface covered with vermillion succulent. The Prickly Pear Cactus is another very tall tree with a thick trunk and they sprout up in groves. We saw such a variety of birds . . .oh, and sea lions. Also two species of land iguana and some beautiful lava lizards.

Brown Pelican

Swallow Tail Lava Gull

Great Frigate

Next we set sail to Barrington Bay on Santa Fe Island. This was the first really calm water snorkel of the trip. The sea lions were not as curious and actually a little shy here. We swam with more beautiful green sea turtles and  a variety of fish. Caught site of a pair of blue footed boobies on the shoreline.

After a snorkel, we sailed again to a hiking spot where we saw more sea lions, land iguanas, lava lizards, and prickly pear cactuses.

I was not as tired tonight as I have been on other nights, but I'm hardly able to sleep. Tomorrow we might see penguins, and if you know me, you know I love penguins.