Baja Birds in Their Finest Feathers and Gems

What fills these days?  We find the new peddle kayaks are a perfect platform for handling the bigger lenses and doing some bird photography.  Steve published many of his shots on his Facebook page under "Baja Bird of the Day" postings.  Be sure to check that out!

Here are a few birds that pose for me while I peddle around the islands just beyond our beach.

 First a beautiful white egret, or "Golden Slippers"....great nick name!  Shoes and feathers fit for a Baja Ball!  How about that bright yellow topaz eye?

Take a look up high on the island... and there's mama osprey on nest duty.  No dancing for her...but what beautiful makeup surrounding eyes of amber!. A mask for Mardi Gras?

 Mr. Brown Pelican is a dashing dude in his finest breeding colors of the season.  Eyes?  How about light blue sapphires?

Even the little eared grebe is out and about today, red eyes glowing like garnets.

Tucked into the rock crevice on shore this great blue heron creeps forward, eye on the prize.  Notice the grey, steel blue and touch of deep brown red feather combo?  Yellow topaz and onyx for eye design.

The blue footed booby shows off the bluest of feet to attract the girls.  The bigger the feet, the more desirable as a mate, as big feet do a better job of incubating eggs.  Who knew?  How about those blue topaz eyes?

This American oyster catcher sports a bright orange beak and eyes along with tuxedo colored feathers.

The raven pair sports midnight black feathers with a silky blue sheen to dress it up a bit. Is that a dash of obsidian for the eye?  What secret are they sharing?

Not bad for one morning out and about on the water!  Funny, but I feel underdressed in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops.

Carnival 2017 - Loreto, Baja Sur

And Happy Hour it is, in the sweet courtyard at The Iguana Inn.  We enjoy some hard cheddar cheese and crackers found at "The American Deli" in Loreto.  Top it off with a little white wine from LaCetto winery in Baja norte.

.....and...John made sure there were "chips"!!!

Then it's off to dinner at The Giggling Dolphin down the street.  Again, it's just a short walk from the Iguana, and what a great feast.  John's fish is grilled on a most unusual grill....look familiar?

Debbie warms up by the coals...as the fish is prepared for the grill.  It may be hard to see the fish...but it's there!

Ya gotta love this sign....why not, "Don't Worry, be Happy!"???  Oh my....margaritas AGAIN?
Don't worry....

"No te preocupes .....  se feliz!  Ok Then!

After a fine dinner we head to the malecon and wander around the booths full of trinkets for sale, and wait with the crowd for the crowning of the King and Queen Infantiles....kids about 5 years old...crowned for Carnival.  They win the honor by who collects the most money for the costumes.

But first, what everyone has been waiting for!  Each year there is a political figure burned in effegy.  WHO?

If you guessed that the last name begins with a T....you are onto it!  Yes, the newly "elected" president of the USA, recieved this "honor" this year ....as it turns out, in every major city of Mexico, and in Venezuela and other South American countries as well.  I wish I could have understood the 10 minute speech (chanted by 7 figures in hoods at the microphone)....but I probably got the gist of it.

We end the night watching the children's rides, a little more light hearted.  And, where are the tickets to ride?  Free?  Maybe!

Cotton candy anyone?  Dentists are cheap...by US standards!

It is a loud night, lots of fireworks, lights, sounds and music.  Somehow we sleep.

Friday morning...and it's adios to the city. The Country Mice...head back to Coyote Beach and life on the playa.

Country Mice Go to the City! Loreto Here We Come!

We are off for two nights of big city sights and sounds.  Well, let's just say, "city" sights and sounds.  We have made reservations for two nights at The Iguana Inn in Loreto.  Beach buddies John and Deb are going with us...and the "you know whos" are going too!

Thanks to Beach Buddy Norm and Jeri, who have a brand new Jeep, we are the happy recipients of their cargo web for their old Jeep!  Fits perfectly!  Skipper is ok with it, but Sparky ...let's just say, is not impressed.

How about I just hop over this thing and get back into your lap, where I belong?

It's an hour and a half trip to Loreto, but today we are going up to the Mission San Javier to have lunch before we go into town and check into our rooms.  This is about 32km up a mostly good road to the historic mission site and VERY small settlement.  There is the "Palapa Restaurant" and we have a great lunch there.

It's a hot day, even up higher in the mountains, so a nice sit in the shade is appreciated.

After delicious tostadas for lunch we head back down to Loreto and check into The Iguana Inn.  This lovely little hotel has four rooms all situated around an inner courtyard.  Each room has comfy chairs outside the door, a tiny refrigerator, toaster, glasses, mugs and coffee maker.

Everything is walking distance, and the cars park safely inside the gate.  It's off for a stroll through the main square and tonight's restaurant, Mi Loreto.

The margaritas are oh so fine, and check out this absolutely yummy complimentary appetizer!
(No, I can't remember exactly what it was, other than really really good!)

 This is our first overnight stay in Loreto.  We usually have to leave well before dark to return to the beach, following the rule: Always drive in daylight.  What a pleasure to experience a city after dark!  Here's the beautiful mission tower, with lights a-blaze.

Thursday morning we head over to Orlando's Restaurant, an easy two block walk, for breakfast.

We enjoy cafe, American style while we wait for omlettes....and what do you know?  The local pre-school marches down the street to school, celebrating the beginning of Carvival, which is tonight!

One of the local police women is the band leader....and lead she does!  Here come the kids!

Time for la cuenta....the check...which comes in this cool decorative gourd, and also serves to take the money!  

We do a little exploring today on the back roads off Mex. #1.  This one goes to the resort development of Villa Polamar....and now a second hotel being constructed.

We think it's going to be a four lane paved drive into the resorts.  I check on line and find out they will book you a room for a mere $1,080.00 USD a night!  Really.  Ah, but you can get a 60% discount...so maybe only $400 USD a night?

In the small village on the fence line this cowboy rides down the street.  The small tin roof and cement block houses are way beyond a "contrast" to what accommodations must be at the Villa property.  How can these two habitations be side by side?

Time to head back to the Iguana Inn and settle down for a happy hour in the courtyard.  Tonight is Carvival on the malecon (waterfront) downtown Loreto!

Que Pasa? February!

It's February!  The Mulege town square is dressed for the season with beautiful flowering trees!

Yes, this is Valentine's Day 2017 and we are in "downtown" Mulege for a gathering of people who feel it's better to "Build Bridges, Not Walls"....which has many many meanings this year particularly. About 15 folks from the U.S.A. and Canada gather this afternoon with a few little signs to share with the wonderful people of this small Baja town, what we believe.  A few people from Mulege join us!

We are unable to join in the marches at home to express our views on so many things, so this becomes our attempt to "do SOMETHING."

February slips by so quickly.  At least it seems that way looking back.  What do we do with these days on the beach?

While the dogs watch....Carpenter Steve and Assistant Carpenter Nick, build stairs to make entry into the rig easier for Señor Skipper.  Being almost 15 years old, he is having trouble getting up the steep RV steps...so...under the watchful eyes and supervision of Sparky and Skip....

 ....these two busy guys do a little sketch, fetch the drills and hand saw and.....

 ....WOW!  There you go!  Stairs for entry to a palace!  Skipper now gallops up and comes back down without crashing.  I have to say, I am pretty fond of this entry too! (although no galloping for me)

All work and no play...never happens on the beach.  So it's off with the peddle yaks for bird photography.  Now our hands are "free" for camera handling.

How about a little reading...or possibly napping?...in the "Wind Pouch" couch?  This thing is amazing!  It takes a little bit of practice to actually capture the air into the pouch, but the reward is great!  They say, yes, you can use it in airports for long layovers.  Hum....

Busy hands are happy hands so it's off to art for another round of basket weaving.  Seriously?  Yes!

Some of us busy ourselves with listening....for the sound of the ice cream truck driving down the beach.  The price has gone up this year.  It's now $2.35 for a medium cone or cup.  If you are lucky there are two choices, but they both taste almost the same, except the pistachio.  Perhaps because it's green, the mind helps you get the taste?  Of course, there is always the "Chocolate syrup, Señora?"

Somehow at home, I never choose the wine with lunch option, but sometimes here...well...it is a beach lunch on a beautiful "summer day" in the winter!

How about an instant campfire for happy hour time while watching the sunset across the bay?

The days are longer now.  Sunrise at 07:00 and sunset at 18:00 hours.  Daily temperatures usually in the low 70's.  Night time temperatures in the 50's.

February is slipping by....