BajaNomad

San Ignacio

DianaT - 2-2-2010 at 05:24 PM

Last week we went to San Ignacio, always one of our favorite towns and spent a couple of nights at our favorite cheap hotel, the Hotel Posada. So, here are a few pix.

First everytime one visits San Ignacio, one must take a few more pix of the church.





OK, the next one was from last year, but I just like it.



The Nativity Scene is still in the plaza, but it is a little worn.



The drive to and from the lagoon was in beautiful weather.













The first approx 6 miles are paved now and while it was a beautiful drive, the storm made the dirt road quite rough in areas.

And, we had to share the road with some friends.







And right as one turns



The whales are late this year and there were only about 80 in the lagoon, but we saw lots and lots of them. However, this time of year they are not as friendly as later, they told us that there were only a couple of real friendly ones right now. Everytime we go whale watching, it is always different, and always a great experience.

One tail picture



But this one fascinated me. Most of the time, we have had whales come up the boat parrallel with the boat, but this one came straight at us and I was fasinated with the patterns in the water as the whale came up, and with watching the blowholes open and close.







Well, time for lights out. Thanks for looking.



Diane

bajabass - 2-2-2010 at 05:29 PM

You are getting better all the time! Nice coyote shot, and I love the lonely panga.

Bajahowodd - 2-2-2010 at 05:31 PM

Wow! Those pix are fantastic, Diane. Helped us relive our last trip down there. No question that it is a bit early in the season to expect the so-called friendly whales. I was just a tad disappointed when you stated that the road out to the lagoon was paved for about six miles. That stretch was completed two years ago. So, no progress. Almost have to wonder if there's a political component to it. After all, the local businesses that make pesos grande on whale tour excursions, stand to lose a certain amount of that business, if and when there is a paved road out to the beautiful cetaceans.

DianaT - 2-2-2010 at 05:36 PM

Thanks to both of you. John gets credit for the lonely panga shot and I also really like it.

We were told that they are going to pave another 15 kilometers this year.

Russ - 2-2-2010 at 05:54 PM

Diane, It's not just your camera and lenses. You have also really developed an eye for composition and I get the impression your working with your shutter speed & f -stop too. I'm duly impressed! Keep posting these incredible photographs. Now you need to get John to start making frames and you could sell many of these for your favorite charities. Really good work!
Sometime when I get over there with my Ranger I'd love to spend a day with you just driving around with our cameras. I know I could learn a lot.

DianaT - 2-3-2010 at 02:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
Diane, It's not just your camera and lenses. You have also really developed an eye for composition and I get the impression your working with your shutter speed & f -stop too. I'm duly impressed! Keep posting these incredible photographs. Now you need to get John to start making frames and you could sell many of these for your favorite charities. Really good work!
Sometime when I get over there with my Ranger I'd love to spend a day with you just driving around with our cameras. I know I could learn a lot.


Such flattery. Thanks. I am learning a lot all the time and have so much more to learn. I do play with the F stops and the speed, but have not graduated to adjusting both at the same time. Photoshop also helps a lot. Hope to see you over our way soon.

Diane

Iflyfish - 2-3-2010 at 05:42 PM

There is just so much to see in Baja and you capture it well with your candid shots. I appreciate your sharing your images with us.

Iflyfish

Donjulio - 2-3-2010 at 05:44 PM

Photos are awesome. Thank you for sharing them.

joel - 2-3-2010 at 05:47 PM

Wonderful images. What camera and lens did you use, particularly on the later images?

bill erhardt - 2-4-2010 at 07:25 AM

Great photos, Diane!

shari - 2-4-2010 at 08:07 AM

terrific photos Dianne as always. LOVE the coyote. Did that whale that came straight at you have a calf?? She looks awfully pregnant to me!

k-rico - 2-4-2010 at 08:26 AM

spent a couple of nights at our favorite cheap hotel, the Hotel Posada

With the doggies?

DianaT - 2-4-2010 at 05:20 PM

Thanks. I enjoy taking and sharing the photos and it is nice that others enjoy seeing them. Thank you very much

Joel,
My camera is a Canon 40D and I use two lenses. Both are image stablized and f-2.8 --- not cheap. One is 17mm to 55mm and the other one is 70-200. It is the most expensive one and weighs over a pound. Sometimes I also use one extentor and different filters. I also use photoshop.

On the day I shot these, I was using my 17mm to 55 lens. John is using the Cannon REbel xT and a Tamaron 16-200 lens. He can hold a camera very still.


Shari,
That one did not have a calf. They said there were about 14 calves in the lagoon and we saw a few that the panguero said were about 5 days old. But this did not have one with her.

K-Rico Yes, with doggies. I donīt think he is crazy about the dogs, but we have been staying there for about 20 years and he knows us. Of course, no dogs on the beds.

Thanks again
Diana

24baja - 2-4-2010 at 06:41 PM

Fantastic close-ups, the whale smiled!

Ken Bondy - 2-4-2010 at 06:45 PM

Fabulous images once again Diane!! I really liked the coyote shots. That area is a favorite of mine. Laguna San Ignacio is such a beautiful place and you really make it dance. ++Ken++

DianaT - 2-5-2010 at 10:28 AM

24baja and Ken---thanks, and yes that whale did have a big smile.