La Paz

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For the second year in a row, we escaped the snow at the end of the ski season by flying south to La Paz, Mexico. Leslie and I spent the fist week in a condo at the Paraiso del Mar resort relaxing by the pool and walking for miles on the beach populated only by herons, seagulls, and pelicans.

We were joined for the second week by Adrienne and Ian on Manta, a 44 foot catamaran. Adrienne and Ian both attained their American Sailing Association certification while Leslie and I relaxed as passengers. During the week of sailing in the Sea of Cortez, a pod of 50-60 dolphins enjoyed riding our bow wave.

We motored by Los Islotes, the home for over 700 seals and pups in a protected rookery.

One afternoon after the wind had abated, we encountered a fever of Mobula rays. The rays at the head of the fever and at the sides were leaping into the air in, what looked like, a way of guiding and shepherding the rays. There were hundreds of rays in the fever and snorkelling among them was spectacular!

Back in Canada, we are heading to the west coast for another couple of weeks of sailing with old friends from the Calgary Yacht club.

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Photos

Leslie
...walking along a deserted beach.

Seagull
...a feathered friend

Heron wading
...along the shoreline looking for food

Heron
... taking off from the beach

Pelican in flight
... cruising the shoreline

Skipper Adrienne
At the helm of Manta, a 44' catamaran

Ian at work
...packing the sail at the end of the day

Passengers
Relaxing over dinner

Leslie enjoying the refreshing swim
At the end of the days it's refreshing to have a dip in the ocean.

Dolphins on the bow
A school of 50-60 dolphins came to play, riding the bow wave as we sailed.

Inquisative seal
Islot have a seal rookery supporting over 700 seals and pups

Flying Rays
A few rays at the front and sides of the fever of rays leap out of the water

Swimming with rays
The rays seem oblivious to swimmers in the water

Sunrise
...over the Sea of Cortez

Comments

[Dancing Dave]

Pelican in flight
The only La Paz I know is the capital of Bolivia. Did not know it was also a beach playground in Mexico! I love pelicans and even did a blog of days I spent with them in Oz a few Christmases ago. On Oz they are white and this beauty is brown winged. This cracker photo I will post in "Birds of a Feather" thread in the Photography Forum. Check it out.