Field Notes
2011
Laguna
Ojo de Liebre, Baja California, Mexico
(28.90N,
-113.00W)
March
1, 2011: Chelsea, 15-year-old granddaughter of whale
guide Keith Jones, was in the lagoon this month with some
other
teens. "This
year the tour
guide said there were about 1500 whales, reports Chelsea. "Last
year there were only about 800 or so. My favorite thing about
this trip
is definitely
being up close and personal with the whales. Being able to touch
them and kiss
them is like a life time experience. On this trip I learned
that whale lice is on the whale to help clean their wounds." |
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What
did the teens who were there for the FIRST time think about the
experience? "I think the kids on the trip LOVED the trip,
but I don't think they would do it again — maybe the boys,
but not the girls." And what about Chelsea? She'll be
back! February
14: We have just been whale watching at Laguna Ojo
de Liebre, San Ignacio Lagoon and to Magdalena Bay. Back here
at Laguna Ojo de Liebre we currently have around 1,250 whales
with more arriving daily. The migration this year seemed to begin
at the normal time, with the first whales present the end of
December. More whales
arrive each day.
Today
at Laguna Ojo de Liebre I saw more than 12 different mating
groups, in groups
of 3 up to 6 whales. I saw one unusual activity today:
A mother whale with a four-or-five-week-old baby was being
chased by a young male.
This male was very insistent on wanting to mate with the
mother whale. But of course a mother whale who just gave birth
4 weeks ago is not able to conceive and is not at all receptive
to this kind of activity. Eventually we lost sight of them
as the mother and baby raced to stay away from this young male.
February
1: "Here
are the latest reports issued by the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve
for the gray whale census done so far. It is exciting to
see the whale count more than triple what it was last
year at the
same dates," reports whale watching leader Keith Jones.
2011 Gray Whale Census:
Laguna Ojo de Liebre |
Date |
Adults |
Babies |
Total 2011 |
Total 2010 |
January 17 |
348 |
111 |
459 |
113
(Jan. 19) |
January 24 |
444 |
229 |
673 |
197
(Jan. 25) |
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Photos
by Keith Jones
Who
made these tracks?
Who
made these tracks?
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