Guide Report
Campo Cortez at San Ignacio Lagoon
January 26 thru 31st
By Norma Lira
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| Camp Coyote |
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| Up Close Gray Whale |
It never fails to amaze me how serene Campo Cortez is, and
this trip was no different. The only sounds we heard upon our arrival to the
camp were the wind and the waves, and the calls of the numerous sea birds that
migrate through the area every year.
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| 17th Century Mission |
The temperatures couldn’t have been better during our stay. It was warmer than usual during the days, with beautiful sunsets and cool star-filled evenings. Mornings began with a fresh cup of coffee, fresh juice and a hearty breakfast. And then it was off to venture out into the Laguna, for the real reason for our trip: close encounters of the friendliest kind! Our tour group was the first to the camp this season, and its members hailed from near and far: from Depoe Bay, Oregon, Mammoth Mountain and Hermosa Beach, California, to Dover, England. Each member brought his and her own unique enthusiasm to Campo Cortez. We all immediately connected at the meet-up spot in San Diego where we then boarded the shuttle to begin our Baja adventure.
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Museum Cave Paintings
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| Whale Petting |
We bonded during the bus ride south, and when we arrived at
camp we were tired but very enthusiastic to get out onto the water. Everything
was prepared and awaiting our arrival. After settling into our private cabanas,
we had a fantastic lunch before heading out in our pangas (skiffs) to meet these
beautiful and majestic whales.
Laguna
San Ignacio is part of Mexico’s El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, which is the
largest wildlife refuge in Latin America.
During the winter months, the Baja lagoons
also happens to be the primary calving ground of the magnificent migrating
Pacific Gray Whale, and large numbers of these whales are seen up close and
personal. During these months, you can count on incredible observations of
courting and mating whales, Fluking, Breaching, Spy hopping as well as mother
whales and their newborn calves. The mothers (or cows as they are called) teach
their young calves how to navigate through the lagoons and prepare for the
eventual long trip home.
And this trip didn’t disappoint. We had several of the cow-calf
pair’s swim right up to our boat.
Their enormous size dwarfing our little panga. But there was nothing to
fear from these gentle giants, as the mother whales would push their calves up
to the panga’s, as if to introduce us to each other. If you ever get a chance
to look straight into the eye of a mother or baby whale that is looking right
back at you, you will be changed forever. And the beautiful thing is…if you’re
lucky, it may happen more than once, as it did on our trip.
The guests were over joyed with the Campo Cortez experience.
For those who may not get a chance to return to the lagoons, they will have
incredible memories to last a lifetime. For those fortunate enough to get a
chance to return in the future, that time can’t come soon enough. As a Marine
Naturalist I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to meet so many
amazing people that love their encounters with nature, including the magical
moments in the Laguna. Sharing these unique and very special experiences with
those who have the same appreciation makes it that much more memorable.
