BajaNomad

Two Great Weeks page one.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 09:03 PM

Leaving Fisherman's Landing on January 23 aboard the Searcher for a 1,300 nautical mile natural history cruise down Baja way.




First stop after clearing papers in Ensenada, Islas Todos Santos.



Then on down the line towards Islas San Benitos. A pair of finback whales were curious and circled the boat for an hour. And we had 6 humbacks and 8 gray whales with probably 500 dolphins. The seas were perfect.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 09:07 PM

Finbacks, Humbacks, Grays and Dolphins surrounded us.

Paulina - 2-15-2013 at 09:11 PM

Wiles,

I swear it was just two days ago that Dern and I were talking about you, hadn't seen you on the board in a while. I'm so excited to see you post and to follow along on the adventure. Keep it coming!

P>*)))>{

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 09:18 PM

After wind and swell we arrive at Middle Island San Benitos where time stands still. We visit the Elephant Seal, and rare Guadalupe Fur Seal Rookeries. The fisherman, divermen, and families are incredible on this island. Kids ride 28ft pangas 2 hrs to Cedros to attend school.
We were very blessed to visit this island again. Twenty years has seen little change.



[Edited on 2-16-2013 by Wiles]

Bob H - 2-15-2013 at 09:40 PM

Ah, this is going to be one great trip report with fantastic photos! Keep it coming. This is great!!

DianaT - 2-15-2013 at 09:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wiles
After wind and swell we arrive at Middle Island San Benitos where time stands still. We visit the Elephant Seal, and rare Guadalupe Fur Seal Rookeries. The fisherman, divermen, and families are incredible on this island. Kids ride 28ft pangas 2 hrs to Cedros to attend school.
We were very blessed to visit this island again. Twenty years has seen little change.



[Edited on 2-16-2013 by Wiles]


This one is very special ---beautiful and can't wait for more!

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
Wiles,

I swear it was just two days ago that Dern and I were talking about you, hadn't seen you on the board in a while. I'm so excited to see you post and to follow along on the adventure. Keep it coming!

P>*)))>{


Yup Paulina & Dern, it has been a long time. Great to be back. Twenty five years ago serving on the Searcher was fantastic. Twenty eight years ago loosing two great scientist's in Scamon's Lagoon was really tough, serving as the assistant for Lane's & Rafe's classes were the best as I had the pleasure of interacting with great people like you.
Will be at Rafe & Jans place in BOLA the week after Easter. You be around?
Warm aloha's
Wiles & Roberta

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:12 PM

Elephant Bull Seal. San Benitos.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:16 PM

Rare Guadalupe Fur Seals establishing a rookery on San Benistos.


BajaBlanca - 2-16-2013 at 09:59 AM

what happened to the 2 scientists at scammons?

Paulina - 2-16-2013 at 07:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wiles
...Will be at Rafe & Jans place in BOLA the week after Easter. You be around?
Warm aloha's
Wiles & Roberta


Wiles,
see your u2u.
P>*)))>{

shari - 2-18-2013 at 10:06 AM

This is a great trip report...the SEarcher is a top notch operation...I guess you met Alisa, the whale researcher? Lucky you!!!

Wiles - 2-18-2013 at 12:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
This is a great trip report...the SEarcher is a top notch operation...I guess you met Alisa, the whale researcher? Lucky you!!!


Alisa was not on the trip, but she did fly down with Baja Ecotours the following week. I have known Alisa since 1978. We spent years together at Cabrillo Beach Marine Museum & their whale watch program. She lived four houses up from me in San Pedro.
We also taught marine biology on the boats out of San Pedro for several years, she for L.A. City and I for the county.

Also know Art & Celia who own and operate the Searcher for many years. I was naturalist for a tour in 1986.

As a sidenote, this trip the Searcher gave Steve Swartz a ride down with his gear for this season. I am sure you know him. When did he and MaryLou first begin their research in San Ignacio, 1976?

shari - 2-18-2013 at 01:00 PM

oh that's right...I heard Steve was getting a lift...not sure when he started in San Ignacio...long time ago that's for sure.

MexicoTed - 2-18-2013 at 08:55 PM

Thanks Wiles, great trip report and something different on the Searcher. How long was the trip?

Wiles - 2-21-2013 at 01:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MexicoTed
Thanks Wiles, great trip report and something different on the Searcher. How long was the trip?


Twelve days, plus we stayed two extra days in San Jose Del Cabo before flying back to San Diego.