Howdy whalewatchers,
We’ve enjoyed another beautiful day in the Sea of Cortez. We woke up to the shoreline view of Isla Santa Catalina. Chef Charley prepared omelets to order before the passengers boarded the skiffs for a morning nature walk. We were pleased to find a rattleless rattlesnake so that everyone could have a look or a photo. The passengers enjoyed walking through the landscape, which one commented was like a living museum, with a gorgeous display of mature cardon cacti, barrel cactus, and birdlife including ladderback and gila woodpeckers, white-throated swifts, oystercatchers, spotted sandpiper, great blue heron, blue footed booby, turkey vultures and a wandering tattler. 
We returned to the boat for a snack and some passengers went on a coastal cruise, while others opted for a snorkel. The visibility and water temp were good and lots of fish species were spotted, including creole fish, multiple species of sea stars, tinsel squirrelfish, pufferfish, and more. Lunch was duck confit salad with freshly baked bread. Our most exciting encounter of the day was a sighting of Stellar sea monkeys which delighted everyone.
Heading south to look for whales. More later.
Capt Aaron and Team Searcher
