Snow Geese at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge

The calm before the storm

More snow geese as they circle around

Snow storms in the northeast are pretty commonplace - but to experience a snow geese storm is pretty amazing. They will be gathered and sitting en masse on a pond, then gradually the chatter gets louder with an explosion like an airplane engine turning on they simultaneously take to the sky - circle around for a couple minutes and then go back down to the pond as if nothing happened.

Puerto Vallarta Feb 1 2011

Some dolphins saying good bye as we head back to the ship.

Yelapa Feb 1 2011

Is a small, poor but very pretty little village along the coast

Some of the whales came quite closee - like right under the boat!

Puero Vallarta to Yelapa Feb 1 2011

Although not billed as a whale watch, many whales came out to greet us while we took the excursion boat to Yelapa

Mazatlan Feb 2 2011

A black gila monster hanging out in the tree

Mazatlan Feb 2 2011

some kind of heron?

Mazatlan is a major fishing port - many benefits for the birds hanging out.

a brown pelican

a fisherman's shack

Here is the pelican posing after he is fed.

Mazatlan Feb 2 2011

We went on a bird watching excursion and a peilcan came right on board the boat.
Here he is waiting to be fed.













Got it.

Cabo San Lucas Feb 3, 2011

We went on a whale watching tour and saw plenty - quite an amazing number throughout the area.

Cabo San Lucas Feb 3, 2011

The main offshore tourist sites are the arch and the sea lion colony.

San Diego Zoo steals Wood Ducks

I see they have a little cuff on his ankle - dragged there against his will - although maybe not - I know i would prefer San Diego in the winter to the east coast any day.