Torote Colorado at Isla San Francisco
Today we explored the environs of Isla San Francisco. Blasted by the sun, yet bathed in cool, rich sea water, this tiny island is a distillation of the islands of the Gulf of California.
Riding wind and wave, we cruised into the placid waters of Isla San Francisco’s comfy lee. Soon after, snorkelers were off in Zodiacs. From an anchored boat, they dropped into the Sea of Cortez. Angular blocks of volcanic tuff have tumbled from cliffs into the sea, and where blocks meet the sandy bottom, a variety of fish can be found. Snorkelers saw boldly patterned king angelfish and damselfish, as well as the more gently-colored goatfish and grunts.
After lunch, we wandered Isla San Francisco. Though extremely dry, the island is home to many charismatic cacti, such as cardons, the world’s largest, as well as tangly galloping cactus, and organ pipe, by comparison elegant and restrained. Equally curious plants intermingled with the cacti, such as torote colorado, often shaped by the wind into natural bonsais. Living among these plants were curious creatures. Pack rat middens studded the landscape. We were pleased to see signs of their activity, and equally pleased not to see their neighbors – scorpions and rattlers.
Across the island, some ventured into the water again, but this time only to ankle level. We explored the tide pools of Isla San Francisco - home to writhing brittle stars, gooey sea cucumbers, and brightly colored sea slugs.
Even on Isla San Francisco, one of the Gulf of California’s most harshly constrained places, life is rich and full of interest.
