Baja California Wildlife

In which Bob and Camille take time to smell the datura and investigate the wild places of Baja California's Cabo region.

November 5 through 9, 2006

 

THE GENERAL LOOK WAS STARK

We got up early to see what we could see, on our second morning.  We were lucky to be in Cabo during a full moon.  In this picture, it is just setting behind the hills.

Bob walks across a sandy arroyo.  The temperatures were just perfect for not having to wear much of anything and at night the ocean breeze made for great sleeping.  We particularly enjoyed being lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves on the beach.

Stark isn't necessarily unimpressive as you can see from this photo.  The desert has its own majesty.

 

DATURA

When we first saw this impressive flower, John told us they had psychogenic properties.  We decided not to test this theory after he told us that people often misjudge the amount they should ingest and overdose.  Bob sniffed them to find  they didn't have any scent.

According to this site, "All species of Datura have long been used by native peoples of the Southwest in puberty and other ceremonies because of the plant's halucinogenic alkaloids. People trying to imitate Native American ways have often poisoned themselves, sometimes fatally."

 

BEAUTY AT OUR FEET

 

If you pay attention, there are always great things to see.  This rose-colored rock nestled in it's very own waterswept pocket for instance, and a vibrant vine snaking across the sand.

 

NO NEED TO SEEK THESE GIANTS OUT

 

Giant cactus were everywhere.  Notice the Gray Thrashers, one of seven new birds we were able to add to our list.

 

AT MERMAID BEACH

    

Bob and Camille stayed behind while the rest of the group walked over the rocks to snorkel further down the beach.  They spent some of their time watching the Osprey (or Fish Eagle) catching fish in its talons.  The Osprey would then look for a spot to land and eat its catch before the vultures caught up to it, at which point the Osprey would be forced to take flight again.

Kris took this photo of a starfish in a little rock pond.

Also, worthy of note were the dry colonies of snails awaiting the return of the tide.

 

THE INTERIOR

A landscape peppered with cactus was common as we traversed the interior on our trip around the cape.  More photos from that day can be found at A Tour of Baja California's Cabo Region

 

ANOTHER COMMON SIGHT

Free-ranging livestock, such as this handsome donkey.

And these curious fellows.

This cow high-tailed it on out of there when we pulled over to take a better look.  We noticed a fair amount of Brahma influence in the local cattle.  Driving after dark can be hazardous because of the roaming livestock.

 

COSAS PELIGROSOS (or dangerous things)

 

When Heidi and Camille walked over to Mary's house, they encountered a road killed rattler.  It only took a moment for them to realize they wanted the rattle.  Camille pulled her knife from her pocket and sawed it off while Heidi held the dead snake.  Later that evening, Heidi revealed her prize to the group along with another souvenir, a cow's hoof.

 

DANGER GIRL

 

A bit further on, Camille and Heidi came across this large tarantula.  Heidi blocked its path with the rattle she had wrapped up in a bit of plastic so Camille could get a picture.

 

FAST FOOD

The next thing they saw was this combination ant hill and ant bear trap.  Smart Ant Bear to set up shop at the base of an anthill!

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