Still in Isla Espiritu Santo......Las Perlas Islands

Well we are still here in the Las Perlas islands. The islands where we are are sparsely populated if at all. The anchorage that we are in is surrounded by islands that are unpopulated with large trees and rainforest, little streams and plenty of birds. At low tide there are beautiful white sand beaches that disappear again when the tide comes in. The trees go all the way down to the water's edge with some mangrove types growing in the water, and at very high tide, get covered with sea water. Many of the trees on the islands are sprouting and the various colours of green against the darker evergreens is stunning. As the sun traverses over the anchorage the colours all change as the angle of the light and shadows change.
The water around us is full of fish (and sadly many jelly fish) and there is always some activity going on. The tuna and trevally/jacks bail up a shoal of smaller fish and then have a great feed jumping out of the water in their exuberance to catch them. The fish have little peace as they are also subjected to an aerial bombardment by the pelicans who hit the water at a fair speed. Their head goes in to scoop the fish as the rest of the body flick-flaks over the top. They then sit on the water as if stunned but are actually getting all the water out of their pouch (the bottom half of the beak). A few stretches of the neck and down go the fish and its take off time again. It's just wonderful to watch them as they skim along the water surface with the tips of their pin feathers millimetres above the water. The terns are also in for a feed and many of them skim over the water and then catch a fish as they go. They then get chased by the frigate birds who hope that they will drop their catch. Some of the frigates manage to catch their own food but most seem happy to take it off some of the other birds in great displays of aerial combat.
So you may ask when we are going to move on!!! At the moment the wind is light or totally in the wrong direction. There is some stronger wind on its way but directly from where we want to go. There is nothing on the grib file to show any change at this stage and believe me when there is a change there is going to be a whole flotilla heading off as there are a lot of boats sitting and waiting. Some have decided to go and have had a mix of fortunes and have motored, sailed and sat adrift waiting. Some have had some current help them... others the current has been against them. So for now we will enjoy the islands and slowly change from fresh to tinned food.... but hey, the scenery is worth it.
That all for now till we write again....

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