This warship was sunk as an artificial reef by the Mexican authorities about eight to ten years ago. Sadly they removed [...]]]> Yesterday, Thursday May 20th, I was in my office, and I was conducting two wreck dives on a pre WWII US Warship that was sold to the Mexican Government (name unknown) not far from here.

This warship was sunk as an artificial reef by the Mexican authorities about eight to ten years ago. Sadly they removed the guns, but opened up the ship to divers by cutting penetration holes all around the ship. Magic!! Whatever she is called, she looks glorious in her new colours of black coral, encrusting sponges of all colours, that literally festoon the ship.

She is twin screwed, and twin ruddered, all of which are still in position, and offer so much in the way of photography. She is about 11m/36ft to the upper decking, and sits upright on the sand at a depth of 23m/76ft. So this beautiful wreck is for every diver, including juniors of a young age.

The viz was about 18-20m/60-66ft, the water warm, with so much in the way of marine life. Huge File Fish, Cortez Angels, free swimming and hidden Morays, fair sized to large Grouper. The list is too long to mention. Between dives we went off to a nearby island, and had our lunch/surface interval. There, there is a bay that comes straight ouf a Jamaican travel brochure. Just beautiful!!

Then it was back to the wreck for the second dive, which was equally glorious to say the least. On the return to shore, and after off loading the dive gear, tanks, BCD’s etc, just as I was about to wave the boat off, there it was, some kilometer (3/4 mile) offshore, a large black roundish fin. I did a double take, got …

We all scrambled back into the boat, mask, snorkel and fins in hand and were snorkeling with a 4m/13ft baby whale shark some minutes later. No one, including myself had a underwater camera with them, and so I managed only to get one shot off of this spotted youngster before gently sliding into the water with her.

We had I suppose some 35 to 40 minutes, but it was worth it and the workout that went with it for sure. She represents the first whale shark of the season here, but she is about the 15th or 16th that I have had the sheer utter pleasure of being in the water with over the last six months. Just another day in my office!!

I think that will be the last good dive for myself for about two weeks as I am starting an Instructor Development Course starting this coming Wednesday, May 26th. Then it is out and out teaching for eight days, plus then two days of exams for my Candidates. I wish them all well for their IDC and afterwards in their diving careers!!

About two months ago I was at the vets in Santa Rosalia, and there was this poor bloody raccoon, torn up from what I presume was a dog fight/attack.

It had been brought in by some rancheros who had found it. There was a sign hanging on his very small cage saying that it might bite, and therefore [...]]]>

Mapache

About two months ago I was at the vets in Santa Rosalia, and there was this poor bloody raccoon, torn up from what I presume was a dog fight/attack.

It had been brought in by some rancheros who had found it. There was a sign hanging on his very small cage saying that it might bite, and therefore not to touch. Me of course could not resist looking closely, (plus my spanish is not good enough to understand “morder”) – the poor thing was just dazed and confused. He was living, torn up and bottled in a cage, albeit about 3′x2′x2′.

He was still there last month when I was there with a puppy dog who had its leg amputated (after being in a accident). So yesterday, Maria took our ginger female cat to Santa Rosalia to get it spayed, and a few hours later returned with him. Raccoon in Spanish is Mapache – and so that is what we have named him.

The vet has gave him to us as he knows us well and knows that we have a love for all animals. As Mapache can no longer be returned to the wild, he asked us to take him.. The vet has given him a clean bill of health, and will be getting us a permit to keep him legally.

The pictures you see, I took of him while he was still in his cage and I did not know if he was wild or not. Don’t you love his mask?

All in all, an unusual pet. Just the way I like things, and I feel I am doing him some good. At least hopefully!

Whenever I am about to head South to Mulegé, I always take time to check Baja Nomad forums (http://forums.bajanomad.com/). The information on road conditions, accommodations and weather can be invaluable. You do not need to subscribe to view the posts and they have nicely segregated the groups into clear sections. The following are ones that [...]]]>

BajaNomad Forums

Whenever I am about to head South to Mulegé, I always take time to check Baja Nomad forums (http://forums.bajanomad.com/). The information on road conditions, accommodations and weather can be invaluable. You do not need to subscribe to view the posts and they have nicely segregated the groups into clear sections. The following are ones that I use regularly:

• General Baja Discussion
• Baja Questions & Answers
• Baja Road Conditions
• Baja Travel Articles
  

They have other groups as well: Baja Photo Gallery, Baja Travel Companions or Convoys, Baja Political Forum, Baja Restaurant Reviews, Baja Accommodation Reviews and others…

Now, as with all forums, there are a wide spectrum of people sporting their own opinions and agendas. So as usual, you may need to take what you read (especially in the political and review forums) with a pinch of salt. However their factual groups (which I use) – such as road conditions, by people who have just traveled south, are invaluable!

Now, if you are interested in knowing what the fishing is like in any given area, Baja nomads are sometimes helpful, but the definitive site is mexfish – so point your browsers over to http://www.mexfish.com/ -

Baja SCUBA diving in these small oasis’ you can find all types of invertebrate life, octopus scurrying from rock [...]]]> As promised, here are some pictures of the Seahorse we found in the shallows of Punta Prieta. Off of the reef edge the bay becomes a sandy bottom with patches of seaweed holding fast to the rocks.

Baja SCUBA diving in these small oasis’ you can find all types of invertebrate life, octopus scurrying from rock to rock, small cleaning shrimps and on occasion a cuttlefish. However, what is a rarer sight is to see any vertebrate over the size of a Blenny or juvenile fish hanging in the weeds for shelter.

So it was indeed a great pleasure to see this little guy (or gal), hanging out on such a small pad of plant life. As it was so isolated from the rest of the reef, we managed to find the same location on separate dives on separate days; if it was on the reef, we would not have had such luck.

Seahorse and Mick

He stayed on this outcropping for several days.

Judy attempts to get just a little closer to the Seahorse