But there is little to compare to whale watching in the warm calm waters of the Baja California Sur country or La Paz, Mexico. Each year (these snowbirds), the whales, start their migration in early autumn--- from the icy waters of the arctic to the tepid serene waters surrounding the Baja Peninsula. By late December these splendid creatures have completed their 12,000-mile journey and stay until late March, when they repeat the trip. I learned that the whales make their way south at an average speed of four miles an hour. They travel continuously during the day and on moonlit nights, while resting for a few hours on moonless, dark evenings. From January through the end of March or early April there is no better place to observe this stunning event than Baja California.
Baja California¹s Magdalena Bay is considered a natural preserve for gray whales who come here to carry out their biological cycles. The ideal climate, shallow waters, salinity and plentiful marine life are known to make the bays and lagoons of this area the perfect place for whales to birth and rear their young. The female whales impregnated the year before arrive first. The males and younger whales come soon thereafter. The primary breeding areas are Magdalena Bay, San Ignacio, Vizcaino Preserve and Laguna Ojo de Liebre. It is believed that in these placid, warm waters attract the female to give birth and nurse their young calves in these coastal reserves as well as teach them to swim and prepare them for the long journey back to the frigid waters in the north.
Scientific studies demonstrate that 90 percent of the migrating whales travel south to the waters of Baja California Sur, while the remaining 10 percent journey to the waters off Korea. The six-month trip is the longest made by any animal in the world, according to marine biologists. The migrating whales trek for six months of the year and rest the remaining six months. Scientists have also determined that whales have an unusual internal clock and never delay more than five-days from the beginning of their journey to their arrival off the Baja Peninsula. The breeding grounds are primarily on the Pacific side wit some whales traveling around he cape to the Sea of Cortes.
As a matter of fact, I learned that there are actually 11 species of whales found worldwide. The waters of the Baja lagoons are the winter residences of eight species of whales that include the Minke, Bryde, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Beluga, Gray and Blue. The most common are the small Minke, but the stars that draw tourists are the colossal Grays.
You can also see the humpback whales blowing their spouts in the early morning, and with luck you¹ll get to see some incredulous whale behavior, like breaching, tail slapping, different feeding patterns and hear the humpback whale ³songs.² Many local Mexican companies offer up-close whale watching tours to observe these fabulous cetaceans in their natural habitat. Small fishing boats called ³pangas² take whale watchers out among the whales. The sweet-tempered leviathans often approach the boats and welcome a friendly rub, just as the killer whale (Orca) at Sea World welcomed me in Texas some time ago.
I understand that Baja California Sur is fast becoming an exotic popular destination for eco-tourists, families, honeymooners, mature travelers, artists and photographers. It is within driving distance of Los Cabos and with non-stop flights or connecting service to La Paz ad Loreto from numerous U.S. and Mexican cities.
For more information call toll free 1-877-MY-Baja Sur or visit www.mybajasur.com
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
E-mail:mascribe@verizon.net
