Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico!

Traveling internationally is a challenge especially when politics between countries is souring; the predominant news you watch or hear is about people who want to harm others; when you are inexperienced. Despite all the above, traveling to other countries is a fantastic way to get to know people and the place they call home.

My first visit to Mexico last week was exceptional despite my ignorance...Somehow, I missed picking up my suitcase before going thru customs - BIG MISTAKE! I had to be personally escorted by a kind and patient ticket agent through a labyrinth of employee only secure areas. When I was reunited with my suitcase, 2 security officers and their keen beagle wanted to know what was in my suitcase. My "contraband" was delicious smelling trail mix. The astute beagle was rewarded while I headed to the hotel suitcase in hand.

 Los Cabos was once an undiscovered beautiful gem on the tip of Baja. Those days are gone. Hotels line the beaches and tourists from many parts of the world vacation here.

I was here for a conference. On the first night, we were invited to a traditional fiesta. Wow! The entertainment and food far surpassed my expectations!

It was fantastic! I left with more questions about these traditional dances...why did the women wear lit candles on their head? What was significance of the men dancing with their headdresses around flames? The old traditions are kept alive with talented dancers and musicians.

Since my days were filled, I didn't have much time for exploring outdoors. Between meetings, I made the most of my time searching for birds and other interesting wildlife. On day 1, I spotted a really cool spiked iguana that was living in a hole under a water fountain. Ever day I returned looking for him. Sometimes, I'd only see his tail...

But when I was lucky, I would see his whole spiky body. Whenever someone walked by, he would disappear into his hiding spot without being seen (except for people like me).

 Since Baja is an extension of California, many of the birds I saw were familiar birds from the desert or migrant birds. Instead of waking up to the calls of the mountain Steller's Jay and Mountain Chickadees, I heard the "space gun" call of the Cactus Wren...

...and the owl like call of the White-winged Dove. Isn't that blue "eye shadow" great?

Hooded Orioles were everywhere! I watched this one drink from the flowering cactus before perching on the blooming tree.

Nearby, a pair of Gila Woodpeckers were excavating another cactus.

With all the development that has occurred in the area, a nearby bird sanctuary that I explored seems to be critically important. It was full of shorebirds. A few locals expressed to me their mixed feelings about Los Cabos. It was beautiful but too developed. Sounds familiar doesn't it?

Cinnamon Teal  and Blue-winged Teal

Reddish Egret

Snowy Egret

These birds were all content with a place to live and forage. Perhaps, as more people show that these are the places visitors want to visit, more land will be conserved and protected to balance the development that has already been done.

I saw my first Magnificent Frigatebird. They are a common sight in this area. They are huge seabirds with forked tails. Their silhouettes in the sky is pretty distinctive so they are easy to ID once you see one. Their long while bills are quite impressive. The one I photographed is an adult female who after a long period of preening was ready to nap on the line.

 The people I encountered in Mexico couldn't have been any friendlier. They were proud of their heritage and their beautiful city. I recently read a passage from a very kind, passionate man that you know from your childhood. This quote seems appropriate.

"As different as we are from one another, as unique as each one of us is, we are much more the same than we are different. That may be the most essential message of all, as we help our children grow toward being caring,compassionate, and charitable adults."

Fred Rogers

Click on photos to enlarge. Photos and content by Robin Roberts

From Mountain Springs to the Blooming Desert

Welcome Spring! These days are FANTASTIC!

 Thanks to an abundance of rain and snow this winter, the mountain's thirst has been quenched. Underground springs have appeared, temporary rivers have flowed through the valley and a few majestic waterfalls are roaring over boulders. We are continually surprised by flowing water in unexpected places. 

There are only a few blooming flowers above 5,000 feet.

To see the most talked about wildflower show, head to the desert for the super bloom.

Like lots of other people hoping for a colorful show in the desert, we headed down for the wildflowers and whatever other desert surprises that might come our way.

Our first night camping in the desert, we heard an unfamiliar sound in the desert - croaking frogs!

We found a party going on in a nearby oasis. The frogs exuberant singing filled the night air. Listening to a frog chorus is a great way to go to sleep.

Once the sun came up, we, like others,  were astounded by the beautiful shades of yellow, orange, purple, green, pink and white that covered the desert floor.

 

American Wigeon

Wood Duck

Besides beautiful flowers, we found some beautiful ducks that had made a pond in the desert their winter home. Soon, they will be heading north.

Early Spring in the desert is the time to see migrating birds. The biggest spectacle in town are the Swainson's hawks. We were lucky to see a kettle over a hundred but today there were thousands that passed through the desert. Go to  borregohawkwatch.blogspot.com  for updates.

The Gambel's Quail and Rock Wren  are a few of the residents who won't leave town when the temperatures rise.

Being in a drought for the last 4-5 years has made this Spring an extra special event! It's a great time to go exploring!!!