OMG so cute, we're right up by them in the dinghy.
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After the swim we got in the dinghy and motored around the west end of the island. Even close up these animals weren't worried about us at all. I think they're used to visits by human beings here. Aren't they lovely.
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Marni and I were swimming together when we had our first up close encounter. A pup swam right up to our faces and paused for a moment and the three of us took a good look at each other. Such big soulful eyes, it's a moment I won't soon forget. Later on the four of us were swimming with another slightly older sea lion, still a youngster though. He found a puffer fish about 10 feet below the surface and was pushing it around and harrassing it, playing with it like a ball. We all just floated above and watched, it reminded me of a circus act. Fascinating and lots of fun.
Image borrowed from 'Bravo'
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So fun. They are incredibly curious and like to swim really fast right up to you and then vear away. At one point I looked to my right and saw one taking a bite out of Don's fin and then his butt right next to me...I reached over and pushed the little guy away. The bigger ones are far too big to push away, and too fast as well.
Image borrowed from 'Bravo'
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Los Islotes is a marine sanctuary, with many fish and hundreds of sea lions. OMG, I think swimming with them is one of the most excited things I've ever done. We swam with them here last year, also many times in the Northern Sea at Puerto Refugio, Animas Slot and outside of the Don Juan anchorage by Bahia de Los Angeles with our mates on 'Bravo'. Mike and Marni on 'Picara' met us here today and a good time was had by all. I should have broken out the underwater housing for my camera but I chickened out. So I have borrowed these underwater shots from our mates on 'Bravo'. Thank 'Bravo', we miss you.
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You get a magical feeling as you walk through these giants.
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Beautiful (there's that word again). The cardon is one of the largest cacti in the world. They can grow up to 70 feet tall and nearly 5 feet wide. There are thousands of them here at Mangle Solo, a real cardon forest.
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I don't know...Somehow it reminds me of my husband.
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