should I write a letter?

this asshole just hassled me twice and threatened to detain me if I didn't give him some ID. he wouldn't tell me HIS name. this is him running away after I told him "OK I will have to start videoing this encounter now"





edit to make sure it was clear I am talking about a border patrol agent. I have NO problem with the local Sheriff's Dept. or AZ DPS/Highway Patrol.


I already "discussed" this with two supervisors.

should I:

moonrise over the Dragoons

was supposed to go visit friends this weekend but June is not a good time to travel. watching pipelines and the water situation is too critical until we get some real rain. so I went to check waters and fence along the rail road yesterday evening. caught a glimpse of the moon coming up and stayed to take a few more. not too bad for a cheapo discount snapshot camera.

















two close-ups

the man who planted trees

Guerrero Negro... (dial up warning)

...is a company town just below the border between Baja Californi Norte and Baja California Sur. The company is Exportadora de Sal, the largest salt production facility in the world - your table salt most likely originated there. They have 60 square miles of salt evaporating ponds. It is also the location of a major grey whale birthing and breeding lagoon.

A fair sized tourist industry has sprung up since the 1970s. During the season, for about US$50 you can go out on a panga for a couple of hours and get up close with these animals. (there are several other bays/lagoons in southern Baja that also have whales and similar excursions are possible). At Ojo de Liebre (aka Scammon's Lagoon) the area has fairly recently been made Biosphere Reserve, and that combined with the salt company controlling much of the access has made the situation more regulated, which is probably better for the whales. (and the local ejido that runs the boats)


to the whales (evaporating pond)





salt




at the new whale watching facility




mandatory mounted skeleton





At any rate, whether you drive out to the whale watching point or take a tour from town, the experience is really special, if a bit regimented. As you cross the salt flats and the water comes into view you start to get all excited because you can see them spouting out there! LOTS of them!




Ticket price includes a mandatory flotation vest and out to the dock you go.




Where you board your panga, usually with a few other passengers if you are a small party. We numbered 6 plus the pangero.





off we go!




first encounter, a mother and a calf




a nostril shot




hi! a flipper




next we cruised a little ways over to see what was going on here




it seemed to be 3 males and one female having quite a time













this allowed a couple of head shots




maybe even the coveted eye (I can't tell, dammit)




under the boat





for a little scritch from the pangero





It was a magnificent experience. Thanks for looking!

a final perfect tail shot




testing to see if this can still be edited - new image for this last pic
yes! it worked. now to find the time to fix the rest...