Saturday, March 28, 2009

Guerro Negro

December 29th to 31st

I used to be impressed by Grey Whales.
But not any more.

This is a creature that migrates annually from their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Straits along the coastline to the mating and birthing grounds in the warmer winter waters around the Baja Peninsular. A trip of some 6000 miles.

All impressive stuff.

Except they are late.

Tis a journey not dissimilar to our own and they had the advantage of a slight head start. Now we want to take a boat out to see them and can't - they are not here and Sue is very cross. Consider the facts....

1) Whales can travel in a straight line, we, on the other hand have to meander as the road takes us....
2) Whales need not climb hills, we however, must travel in a more 3 dimensional world....
3) Whales are able to travel both night and day where we must contend with Mexican drivers and El Bandido at night and so are limited to just the daylight hours...
4) Whales live for up to 60 years and have been doing this trip every year of their life, so they've had a bit of practice. First time for us....
5) Whales are not delayed by border crossings or inclement weather, get neither punctures nor other equipment failures. Punctures in the desert - don't need to say any more....

True they weigh 36 tons and this could be a factor and a hindrance to high speed maneuvering, however I can't allow it as water provides them with a certain buoyancy and eons of evolution should have ironed out any weight related issues....

They should be here by now and we are waiting for them.

We have to look at Pelicans instead....



And ospreys....



Susan is still cross....



Changing the subject slightly, Guerrero Negro invested in wind power at some time in the recent past and there are a string of turbines placed along the coast beyond the wild bird sanctuary. It would appear to have be a good plan too as this is certainly windy terrain. Sadly they now stand in disrepair, lonely sentinels staring serenely out to sea as they slowly decay in the salty air.



Make nice shadow photos though....



Since the whales couldn't make it, we're off.... Guerrero Negro is OK as a re-supply station, but without the whales we just feel a bit let down....