Guide Report: Feb. 17-21

Hola!

Week of 17th to 21st of Feb.

Weather: High's mid 50's to lower 70's

               Lows mid 30's to mid 40's

Our first trip with this group was on the 18th of Feb and it was a great day for observations. There seemed to be a high count of males in the observation area (4 miles in length for viewing out of the 20 miles that make up the Laguna). The males were very interested in the females. Two males will pursue one female all over the laguna until it is time to mate. It seemed that most of the mothers and calves were not present that whole day. On occasion a set of a mother and calve pairs would glide closely by our panga. However, they did not want to play that day. On the 19th, we had success with friendlies!! We had found our dear friend "Valentine" and the mother "Valentina" :) We played all morning with them. You could see the excitement on Valentine's face when he approached the boat with great anticipation. He began spy hopping immediately to see which panga he would go to visit first! With the rules and regulations at the Laguna San Ignacio you can only have two panga per set of friendlies. This helps keep down the overwhelming presence of boats while viewing these gentle giants. Valentine could barely hold back the feeling of excitement. He would cruise right up to the boat then return to Valentina as the he would roll over the fluke (tail) and back of his mother. One observation that I noted right away was that Valentina had Valentine in the "kiddie pool" (what I call it) a few days prior to this day on the 19th. The "kiddie pool" is the area on the southwest side of the laguna which is behind a sand bar with lighter current for new born's to take swimming lessons with their mothers. Then, when the calves are ready, the mothers will bring them out to stronger current and will give them a ride on their backs when they tire out. However, this day on the 19th Valentine was swimming quite well next to his mother out towards the mouth of the laguna! Ah, they grow up so quick :)

Due to low tides in the afternoons we would spend some time walking and exploring the bare laguna floor. In these low tidal hikes we would find scallops, clams, oysters, hermit crabs and even an occasional octopus!! Along with various other sea stars and plant life. We had high winds blowing in about a steady 15 to 18 mph with gusts up to mid 20's. We are very flexible about waiting out some of the stronger winds to help create a more enjoyable viewing experience. When tides are high, we love exploring through the mangroves in search for tricolor herons, marble godwits, white ibis, spotted sandpipers and SOOO many other beautiful birds by panga. Once again, a trip that I will always remember!!

All the best,

Christopher Match

Mangove Transplants

Mangrove Transplant Project: Laguna San Ingnacio, 2012

This is a recent project that we at Campo Cortez have been taking part in in order to grow more mangroves in the lagoons due to man-made and natural destruction.

Catalina and Esla, our camp cooks run this project at the camp all year round. The goal is to grow from seeds sixty to seventy thousand red mangroves to be transplanted in the Lagoon region.

Adding Dirt & Seeds to Grow Bags 

Red Mangroves Sprouting

Guide Report: February 13-17, 2012

Report from San Ignacio Lagoon
February 13-17, 2012
Campo Cortez

Week of 13th to 17th of Feb.

Temp.  Highs: Upper 60's to mid 70's

           Lows:  Upper 30's to mid 40's

    We had an amazing time during this week!! We had made friends with a baby we called Valentine and his mother Valentina (whom we found on Valentines Day). We had friendlies circling the panga everyday!!! When you look into the playful eye of the calves (babies), it holds so much joy and tranquility! The guests we had at camp had such joy in there hearts and I believe it really helped to reflect back at

Valentine. We enjoyed star gazing through the early hours after sunset each night. Simply just as amazing as our day whale watching. That was my first trip this season that we touched every single day and

sometimes each session. Correct Whale count to come shortly. We are behind so far, compared to last years numbers. However, the whales are having a blast playing with us and teaching there young the ways of

life :)

Guest Photos-Kayaking

Photos from Alexa Boyes
from our Feb. 9-13 5 day air trip

Some kayaking photos with Guides Chris and Maria

Kayaking the Estero in front of camp

Guests return to base camp

Chris - Camp guide and kayak addict

Singer as well?

Camp guides Chris vs. Maria

Camp Guides

Guide Report: February 9 - 13, 2012

Camp Update & Whale Report 

by Naturalist Christopher Match

Week of Feb 9th to 13th

Whale count 136 on the 9th of Feb

Weather High: Mid 60's to High 70's

             Low: High 30's to Mid 40's

  Well the whales were friendly right off the bat for most of the

group on there first whale watching experience in Laguna San Ignacio.

After having a day of rain and high winds the night before, it simply

cleared out for there morning whale watching. The winds reached as

high as 28 mph at times and barely even a slight loft of air at other

times. 

We enjoyed kayaking through the mangrove maze in between whale

watching sessions with the sunshine helping to create a crystal clear

view in the water as herons squawked and searched for food. For not

being able to guarantee a chance to touch the whales. The experience

keeps getting better and better each day.

All the best,

Christopher Match

Gray Whale Census: February 09, 2012

Gray Whale Census
February 09, 2012
San Ignacio Lagoon Gray Whale Census


Adult Gray Whales:  103
Gray Whale Calves:   33
Total Gray Whales:   136

Guide Report: Week of Feb.4-9

Week Feb. 4 to 9th

Weather: Highs with 80's through mid 60's throughout the trip.

               Lows in the upper 30's to mid 40's

We have well over 125 gray whales in the laguna right now and growing!! The "panga" (the motor boats we use for whale watching) at times have been surrounded by whales with the moms and babies circling around as well with bottle-nose dolphin swimming close to the boat. Our group was split into two pangas for a ninety minute whale watching experience that lasts a life time. We had the pleasure of meeting a "friendly" (whales that will swim next to the boat and your able to touch). A mom and baby circled around the panga for quite awhile as we waited with excitement for a chance to maybe touch this beautiful creature of the sea. Once known as the "devil-fish" through the locals years ago. We were shooting photos as fast as we could, in hope to capture this moment in time. Then the mother nudged her baby closer to the panga and became almost at arms reached. The anticipation grew. As we splashed the water and sang at the top of our lungs in hope to convince the whales to come closer. The baby brushed beside the boat as everyone that was close enough reached out there hands and had an opportunity of a life time. Finally!!! We were able to touch the baby whale as the mother swam close by the panga . As we looked into the eye of the baby whale, such joy passed through the entire boat. It was such a tranquil feeling that I know I will never forget. The mother then came close for a back scratch as well. What did it feel like? What was the whole experience like? There's no exact way to express the feeling in words. You will just have to find out for yourself. :)

As we returned to the cabins that make up a beautiful camp called "Cortez" we saw local fisherman searching the laguna floor for fresh scallops, clams and oysters. During the low tide as we entered the cove that is lined with red and white mangroves we saw two coyotes in search for the same food. One coyote was lucky enough to find an eel as the other searched for an octopus to eat. We returned to the camp. As we walked along the endless skyline of white puffy clouds that were held by the busiest sky that I've ever seen only to be greeted by the warm friendly staff that had made margaritas for us!

Definitely an afternoon that will forever live in my mind as a truly remarkable day. The experience awaits for you!!

Sincerely,

Christopher Match