Baja whale camp & beyond

We arrived in Mulegè yesterday afternoon after spending several days at Kuyimà Whale Camp on the San Ignacio Lagoon. We were there specifically to see the grey whales who spend a few months a year in the lagoon giving birth, raising their young, and perhaps to participate in a little sexual activity. We drove from Loreto on the Sea of Cortez, or east coast of Baja, spent a couple of nights in the little town of San Ignacio, then on to the whale camp on the Pacific coast. Though it was very windy, we had a couple very productive visits with the whales.

Mission San Ignacio Kadakaaman

During our stay in San Ignacio, we spent a day visiting the cave paintings in the Sierra de San Francisco mountains nearby. Most of us rode a mule up the steep trail.

As you can see, the whales have been around for a long time. These paintings were recently dated and have been around for perhaps 7,500 years. The climate, and their protected and difficult to reach location, has certainly aided their longevity.

Touching a baby grey whale. No one really knows why the whales come alongside the boats and allow themselves to be touched. The guides only explanation “they’re friendly whales!”.

Sunset at the whale camp

My new pal at our rental house in Mulegè