Catching Up!

We apologize for the long delay of postings; it is partially due to the fact that we have been on the road and a few technical difficulties that are a bit more pronounced when you are working with a primitive technology. But we are on now!

To get you caught up (and so much has happened.)

We took three days to get from Biola to our field station in Bahia.

Jan. 3rd. The first night we camped on the Pacific side near the town of San Quintin.

Jan. 4th. The second day we headed south, turning inland into the Vizcaino desert where we camped for a night. This is considered one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. We camped among huge boulders, cardon cactus and the strange and wonderful cirio cactus.


Jan. 5th. On day three we continued towards the gulf stopping to visit an ancient cave painting site. By late afternoon we arrived at our home away from home, Bahia de Los Angeles and the Vermilion Sea Field Station.



Jan. 6th. Settled into the field station and toured the town of Bahia, a small fishing village with a population of approx. 800. The field station is nestled on the beach just a stone throw outside of town. The weather so far has been amazing, sunning and cool with amazingly clear nights with a sky full of stars!

Jan. 7th. We headed out for our eight day camping trip. We will be traveling from Bahia de Los Angeles to San Ignacio. We stopped in the town of Guerrero Negro for the famous Tacos Henry. Much to our dismay the owner was under the weather but she sent us to her cousins taco stand and to our pleasure the fish tacos where every bit as good as Henry’s. Incredible fish tacos must run in the family. After lunch we pushed on another hundred and twenty miles to the town of San Ignacio where we would spend two nights.

Jan. 8th. San Ignacio is an eighteenth century colonial town established at a fresh water lagoon. Driving through the lush groves of date palms we entered the tiny town square. The defining building on the square is the San Ignacio Mission built in the mid 1700’s. It is still a functioning church and the pride of this humble town. The biology students explored the lagoon identifying birds and desert plants while the art students painted and photographed the landscape and the beautiful, weathered architecture of the town.


Jan. 9th. San Ignacio south to El Coyote on Bahia de la Concepcion. Once on the gulf coast we stopped in the French colonial town of Santa Rosalia (we had to sample some of the famous Mexican sweat breads and fruit smoothies.) After lunch we continued onto El Coyote where we camped on a pristine white sand beach. This was a great place for landscape painting and shell identification.












Jan. 11th. We break camp and head north for the fishing town of Mulege. The group is so excited to be here (first clean showers in three days!)







Jan. 13th. We head northwest for the Pacific coast and Scammon’s Lagoon where we will go gray whale watching. Another beautiful day and clear night.

Jan. 14th. Got up early and went out with whales! We saw lots of mother whales and their newborn calves. Several boats where also visited by dolphins. Returned to Bahia Los Angeles by nightfall.




Jan. 15th. First full day at the field station. Cleaned up and rested from the camping trip we begin to explore all that our environment has to offer. The biology students continue to learn about the plants, birds and eco-systems of Baja. The art students are desperately trying to capture the amazing richness of this unique place.