Christmas on Santa Catalina
After an exciting night of travel we arrived early at the gorgeous island of Santa Catalina. Santa Catalina is one of the more remote islands in the Gulf of California and boasts a number of endemic species including the rattleless rattlesnake, Slevin’s deer mouse and a number of lizards.
The morning was spent exploring the island by foot. Along with the Cardon cactus, we were also able to see many of the giant barrel cactus for which Santa Catalina is so well known. These beautiful plants are the largest barrel cactus found anywhere in the world. Hikers were treated to a lush winding arroyo sprinkled with coyote melon fruit and mistletoe vines, perfect for the holiday season. The long hikers arrived to find beautiful cliff views when we reached the other side of the island. On our return we discovered a rattleless rattlesnake sunning in the middle of our path back. We had quick, light feet as we scrambled above him to get by without too much disturbance. This small rattleless rattlesnake is endemic to this island where the lack of predators has made the famous rattle no longer necessary.
The afternoon provided wonderful opportunities to explore the fish that call the rocks of Santa Catalina home. Christmas tree worms, a jewel moray eel, hawkfish and even a lobster molt were sighted. Grebes dove among the snorkelers to feast on the clouds of Mysid Shrimp beneath the surface.
Christmas cocktails and a feast were served in the evening to bring this festive week in the Gulf of California to a close.
After an exciting night of travel we arrived early at the gorgeous island of Santa Catalina. Santa Catalina is one of the more remote islands in the Gulf of California and boasts a number of endemic species including the rattleless rattlesnake, Slevin’s deer mouse and a number of lizards.
The morning was spent exploring the island by foot. Along with the Cardon cactus, we were also able to see many of the giant barrel cactus for which Santa Catalina is so well known. These beautiful plants are the largest barrel cactus found anywhere in the world. Hikers were treated to a lush winding arroyo sprinkled with coyote melon fruit and mistletoe vines, perfect for the holiday season. The long hikers arrived to find beautiful cliff views when we reached the other side of the island. On our return we discovered a rattleless rattlesnake sunning in the middle of our path back. We had quick, light feet as we scrambled above him to get by without too much disturbance. This small rattleless rattlesnake is endemic to this island where the lack of predators has made the famous rattle no longer necessary.
The afternoon provided wonderful opportunities to explore the fish that call the rocks of Santa Catalina home. Christmas tree worms, a jewel moray eel, hawkfish and even a lobster molt were sighted. Grebes dove among the snorkelers to feast on the clouds of Mysid Shrimp beneath the surface.
Christmas cocktails and a feast were served in the evening to bring this festive week in the Gulf of California to a close.
