Gulf of California + Sea Lion Pups! (Mexico ?s)

[backpack]

No, there aren't any sea lion pup pictures yet, but there will be!

Anyway, this post is really about where to go & what to see in Baja and Sonora... I got a research assistant position (sea lion population dynamics) for two months in the northern part of the gulf this summer, but we get two 10 day breaks to either go back to the states or travel around Mexico, and I would definitely rather stay in Mexico.

I've read Rev's recent post about going to baja, but I'm going to be travelling by bus and boat, not car. Anyone travelled like this or been to the mainland side of the gulf?

Also, after reading Rev's thread, I'm mildly concerned about "security." Would travelling alone on foot and public transport be a bad idea? I've done it in Europe (which is no big deal) and Ecuador (where it's a little sketch but I never had a serious problem).

Thanks in advance.

[MacDaddy]

I took a train down to Mazatlan got drunk, laid, passed out (fell asleep) woke up and did it again with a different girl all in 27 hours. HS graduation trip!

does this help

[homerjay]

Unrelated, but is that Coto in your avatar?

[backpack]

Originally posted by homerjay
Unrelated, but is that Coto in your avatar?

Yup, that one's from September... it wasn't quite that clear when I climbed it in December, but close.

[Pinner]

I dunno what kind of clubs you all are using in your population dynamics survey, but you might want to check in here for some suggestions on an appropriate BFH.* Bring some back. Seal flipper pie is quite a delicacy.







*Big Fukkn Hammer

[backpack]

Originally posted by MacDaddy
does this help

Not really, but thanks for sharing.

Originally posted by Pinner
I dunno what kind of clubs you all are using in your population dynamics survey, but you might want to check in here for some suggestions on an appropriate BFH.* Bring some back. Seal flipper pie is quite a delicacy.

*Big Fukkn Hammer

The specific goals of the proposed research include: 1) establishing a long-term field research program on behavior and demography of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California, 2) developing a theoretical framework to integrate behavioral data into extinction risk models, and 3) incorporating these results into management decisions.

The specific goals of the proposed research do not include: 1) clubbing sea lions with BFHs, 2) making seal flipper pie.

You could, however, make a pie with all the flies you've been murdering lately. I've heard they are quite nutritious and tasty dried and seasoned.

[backpack]

^^^ for post-at-workers

[hop]

the extremo marine mammal nerd in me must know who you are working for. Long-term marine mammal projects are my bag, baby!

[backpack]

Originally posted by hop
the extremo marine mammal nerd in me must know who you are working for. Long-term marine mammal projects are my bag, baby!

I suppose I'm technically working for the Gerber Lab at ASU. Specifically, though, I'm working with a grad student named Manuela Gonzalez.

You do biology in college?

[PaSucks]

A baby seal walked into a club...















anyone? anyone? no? Ok i will sit down now.

[hop]

I did a lot of geography/marine env. science/marine ecology at school, but most of my interest comes from working on long-term killer whale projects in WA/BC/AK since 1996. Incidentally, I have done a lot of other work with other whales too, Minkes, Humpbacks, Beaked whales (remember that big US navy sonar stranding in the Bahamas back in 2000?? that happened in front of our research station) and dolphins in the Bahamas...


edit: and if you need fun stuff regarding seals and clubs, check out www.newgrounds.com/seals

[hop]

damn, that looks like a cool project! Spermy whales, pilot whales, and ZACAs. Lemme know if they need anyone else (preferably paid) later on!


I wouldn't worry too much about travelling alone in MX. Common sense will get you farther than most of the buses there anyways.
If I had 10 days in northern Baja, I would get my ass to the nearest surf spots (obviously not in the Gulf) and go for some serious tranquilo time. Or I would try to see a Vaquita, which is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world (only a relative handful exist, and they only live in the northern Sea of Cortez). Or I would catch fish until my arms fell off.

[hop]

oh yeah, if you see any killer whales, please take ID shots of them for me. ID shot= picture of the dorsal fin and saddle patch, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the whale. If you see them and don't take pics, I'll be very unhappy.
http://www.whaleresearch.com/images/lpod1.jpg
Here are some examples of properly taken KW ID shots, some of which were taken by yours truly.

[backpack]

Originally posted by hop
damn, that looks like a cool project! Spermy whales, pilot whales, and ZACAs. Lemme know if they need anyone else (preferably paid) later on!


I wouldn't worry too much about travelling alone in MX. Common sense will get you farther than most of the buses there anyways.
If I had 10 days in northern Baja, I would get my ass to the nearest surf spots (obviously not in the Gulf) and go for some serious tranquilo time. Or I would try to see a Vaquita, which is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world (only a relative handful exist, and they only live in the northern Sea of Cortez). Or I would catch fish until my arms fell off.

Good to hear... though I've never surfed or ocean fished. A Vaquita expedition sounds cool... might have to go ahead and get an underwater casing for my camera.

Originally posted by hop
oh yeah, if you see any killer whales, please take ID shots of them for me. ID shot= picture of the dorsal fin and saddle patch, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the whale. If you see them and don't take pics, I'll be very unhappy.

If I see any I'll do my best to get pics, though with a 100 or max 200mm zoom equiv digital it's not going to be easy.