The islands of the Midriff region in the northern Gulf of California are favorites among the naturalists for their remoteness as well as their exceptional wildlife and birdlife. With nature as our guide, we will actively explore these areas by Zodiac, kayak, paddleboard, snorkeling, and hiking. Some of the locations we may visit are listed here. Isla San Pedro Martir: This 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island is home to the world's largest nesting colonies of blue-footed and brown boobies. The surrounding waters boast 14 species of marine mammals, including fin whales, Bryde's whales, and a resident group of sperm whales. Isla San Esteban: Featuring volcanic slopes and cliffs, Isla San Esteban is home to spiny-tailed iguana and chuckwallas, cohabitant lizards with fascinating evolutionary traits. As we hike the broad arroyo, keep an eye out for the spiny-tailed iguana feeding on flowers atop cardon cacti, while the chuckwalla dines on the leaves and fruits of low-lying plants. Isla Rasa: This legendary, uninhabited island is less than 0.21 square miles wide, and yet is crucial to the survival of two species of seabirds. Historically 95% of the world's Heermann's gulls and elegant terns use the island as their nesting grounds, creating a cacophonous, avian spectacle seen nowhere else on earth. Bahia Loreto Marine Park: One of Mexico's natural treasures, this protected area offers a variety of pristine landscapes and a plethora of marine life. Search for bottlenose and common dolphins, with the possibility of encountering blue or sperm whales. ...
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