As I’ve written before, doing this column a month in advance can be challenging if I want to share things which are not only relevant, but time sensitive too.

So, the holidays are behind us now and we are moving forward into what I, and many others, consider to be the very best time of the year to be in Peñasco. Of course, I think any time is the best time to be in Peñasco, except for August and September, but that’s just one man’s opinion. The warm weather will be here before you know it, and the town will fill up with lots more vacationers.

Trying to keep things interesting when you’ve lived here for a while is somewhat difficult, but taking a day trip out to Isla San Jorge (Saint George Island), or “bird island” as some locals call it, is one way to keep things fresh! I had guests in town from Idaho (cold country this time of year) and wanted to show them Peñasco from as many angles as I could. So, we called Del Mar Charters (520-407-6054) and booked a day trip out to the island. There are several vendors who have trips out to bird island, so check into each one and select the one that fits your plans the best.

For our trip, the weather was picture perfect, the seas calm, the sea lions playful and friendly! What a great time we had. The sea lion colony is pretty large and there are several groups, all headed by a large male (called a “beach master”) who keeps all in line by intimidation and biting if necessary. These huge sea lions are masters of their environment, and all they survey, especially since there are no predators around.  Basically, the big guys will fight each other from time to time, but that’s about it for dominance. It’s pretty neat to see the rocks of the island covered with furry sea lions basking in the sun and many more swimming and cavorting in the shallows near the island.

The boat captain (ours was named Checo) inflated a kayak for my friends and they were able to paddle right next to the sea lion pups who greeted them enthusiastically. The huge “beach master” bull didn’t see it that way though and kept up a raucous noise intended to warn them to keep their distance from his ‘harem.’ Fortunately, he only bluff charged and then swam back and forth along his ‘line in the water’ making sure no one trespassed.

There were many types of birds nesting on the island as well, including ‘blue-footed’ boobies and frigate birds. They, along with cormorants, loons and pelicans busied themselves flying here and there while we watched them. The weather held and our trip back from the island was quick and comfortable.

If you are looking to a neat adventure while you are enjoying our little slice of paradise here in Peñasco, consider taking a day trip out to ‘bird island.’ You won’t be disappointed.