Guide Report
Grey Whales at San Ignacio LagoonCampo Cortez at San Ignacio lagoon, Baja
Ca. Sur. MexicoMarch 5th thru 9th , 2013
By: Pamela Sanchez
Some people have luck with the whale trips and
the sightings, but this is the group with more encounters from all the ones we
had so far! Just one time (the last trip) they didn´t touch a whale! The other
five opportunities, they touched mothers and babies and even single females on
heat that were displaying courtship behaviour by rolling on their backs,
showing their tails and pectoral fins and becoming very friendly! We had two at
one occasion at one point were we had two females approaching to the boat and
playing with each other and us for more than 45 minutes! I must say that was
incredible!
We had a “crazy” whale (the name remained after
various attacks!) following different boats and slapping tails next to us! We
think is a male not in the best mood for whatever reason… or perhaps he
confused us with a female whale and was flirting with us!!!! You can imagine
the stories we came up with while and after the events with the whale!
We managed to see coyotes around the camp!
After a few attempts to find them in the evening and night, we saw them! As
well, our beautiful couple of ospreys that live in the artificial platform
where their nest lays, still on the baby business! The second time she tried to
incubate seems to be the good one! She is being so dedicated for the last 12
days now, leaving the place just for a few minutes to feel her muscles again (I
guess…). He has been bringing food and collaborating with its part like a good
father will do.
Our list of species observed keeps on growing,
and we hope that for the end of the season will be full! We have right now 46
species between birds, mammals and reptiles. We encourage everyone to increase
it!!! Come and see!
It is so nice when we have little groups… you
are able to connect with everyone on a personal level and give them the most
incredible service. We try to be as awesome with all but small groups are
always more manageable. Enthusiasm does not start to describe the energy this
people brought with them; they were full of passion and love for the whales to
such an extent that it did seem like it was the first time for us as well. 
Highs
in the lower 70s
Some people have luck with the whale trips and
the sightings, but this is the group with more encounters from all the ones we
had so far! Just one time (the last trip) they didn´t touch a whale! The other
five opportunities, they touched mothers and babies and even single females on
heat that were displaying courtship behaviour by rolling on their backs,
showing their tails and pectoral fins and becoming very friendly! We had two at
one occasion at one point were we had two females approaching to the boat and
playing with each other and us for more than 45 minutes! I must say that was
incredible!
Awesome sunshine and heat! This group had the
most amazing luck with the weather… from the winter; it seems that we had moved
to summer without a doubt! We have enjoyed the beautiful grey whales on
t-shirts and believe me that is the first for me! The lagoon gave us a break
from the bad wind and surprised us with a calm and still water that was epic!
And as you can imagine, with good weather, we have found more active babies,
playing nicely in the surface, jumping and trying to breach, while mama stays
close to help him with anything. It is beautiful to see how this behaviour encourages
the mothers to become playful and roll, jump and play with both, their babies
and us! How lucky are we?
I am sure some of you will be happy to know
that on the 2nd of this month, some captain saw CUCARACHAAAAAAA!
Apparently he was with his mother at the end of the lagoon, close to the moth
where it meets with the sea. Maybe that is the reason why we have not been able
to see him for all these days! It is nice to know we can keep hoping to meet
him once more before he goes away! Miss you so much little character!
The lagoon is nearly free of erotic behaviour…
The adults that came to mate here, are already going away and we have reach the
point where the change from activity is already taking place. Now it is time
for the mothers and babies to colonise all the space! And from now on, that is exactly
what it is going to happened! The possibility of encountering a “friendly
whale” increases just because they are the only ones left here! I should tell
you that sometimes, males arras females with babies even when they are not
sexually receptive and that in our whale watcher point of view is not good
news! It makes the mothers and their babies to run away and stress them
unnecessarily. From now on it will be just you little ones, your mothers and
US! Let’s enjoy!