South Plaza Islet

As the sun rose we motored in between the Plaza Islets.  There were already two ships anchored there.  Some tropic birds flying around, some sea lions on the shore and many many shearwaters.
 
The storm petrels were doing their dance on the water and there were some gulls around and a few boobies.
 
After breakfast we went ashore.  The islets are quite flat with red succulents growing which will turn green once the rains come.  Tall prickly pear cactus.  Land iguanas and some very young sea lion pups.
 
The southern cliffs were racing walls for the shearwaters and at the end some sea lions were resting.  How they got up there though was something to think about.  They had also had a replanting project going on at that end.
 
Back to the boat and a visit by a man and his goat who was given some bread and cheese and then we were off to Santa Fe.
 
It is a low flat island with many tall cacti.  We did a snorkel and saw sharks, rays, and despite the number of sea lions there, not many wanted to play.  The water became very difficult to see in at the end and there were lots of sharks around.  I don’t know why.  Two hawks were also seen.
 
Back on board we had showers and then went back for a walk.  More shenanigans on the beach with the sea lions.  They are so like dogs.  There was one which chased two birds along the beach.  A couple of big bulls around with one being chased away.  A very tiny baby sea lion greeted us.  The cacti were enormous with huge trunks.
 
Margaritas and then dinner.  Carlos has given us an early breakfast to beat the crowds at Espanola.