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The mountainous, desert
Baja Mexico peninsula stretches for over 800 miles south
from the temperate zone of California into the tropics at
the tip. The Pacific Ocean washes its western shore and
on the east, the Sea of Cortez separates Baja from mainland
Mexico.
The central portion
of the spectacular peninsula is dominated by a series of mountain ranges.
Granite peaks in the north rise to over 10,000 ft. in the San Pedro Martir
range and the mostly volcanic mountains of the south average 3,000 ft.
Most of the
mountain ranges have very steep eastern sides and gradually slope to the west.
A series of broad plains dominate the landscape of the central and southern
half of the peninsula along the Pacific. Where these plains intersect the
coast, extensive lagoon systems have formed. Lagoons like San Ignacio and
Scammons, are the breeding and birthing grounds for the California Grey whales.
Best of Baja's Whales
Islands are
prominent jewels along both coast with the majority in the Sea of Cortez. Over
20 pristine islands make up the Midriff island region, with Angel de Guardia,
the second largest island in the Sea of Cortez just off shore from Las Animas Wilderness Retreat, our showcase vacation destination. Canal de Los Ballenes (whale
canal) separates Angel de Guardia and many beautiful island from Las Animas
We are blessed with deep water upwelling that creates a microclimate that keeps
our summertime temperatures much lower than anywhere else in the Sea of Cortez.
Between 72F at night and 95F in the daytime.
Marine Mammals
The clear blue waters
surrounding Las Animas
Wilderness Retreat provide one of the most nutrient rich
marine environments in the Sea of Cortez and the world. Nearby islands divert
tidal flow, creating a rich mixture of oxygen, salt, water and nutrients.
is the perfect habitat for
the chain of sea life: microscopic plankton, bait and game fish, sea birds,
dolphins, sea lions and whales. A dozen species of year-round whales; including
the Blue Whale (which at 100 feet long and 150 tons is the largest animal that
inhabits the planet) inhabit these rich waterways.
Common and
Bottlenose Dolphins, Elephant seal and California sea lions are found,
sometimes in great abundance. Huge pods of friendly dolphins hundreds of yards
across or groups dancing in the wake of the boat are not uncommon. California
sea lions frequent the Midriff's with a large rookery only 2.4 miles from Las Animas. Watching the antics of the sea lions from the boat or kayak is a
delight. Or if guests choose, snorkeling with the friendly sea lions with their
underwater acrobats is incredible.
Birds
The cluster of 20
islands known as the Midriff Islands, are an excellent place to observe
seabirds. As a result of the abundant food supply, total isolation and lack of
human encroachment, three orders of marine birds from temperate, arctic and
tropical origin can be found. The small and large islands are inhabited by over
50 species including Brown Pelicans, Blue Footed Boobies, Frigate birds, Royal
Terns, Cormorants, Osprey, and Turkey Vultures. Over 95 percent of the world's
Elegant Terns and Heerman's Gulls breed on nearby Rasa Island; a Mexican bird
sanctuary, only 15 miles away from Las Animas by boat. These islands have
recently become protected under Mexican law. Baja Travel & Vacations in
Mexico contributes to conservation of these prime seabird habitats by
practicing responsible eco-tourism.
Desert Plants
The beautiful Sonoran
Desert has its own share of unique plants. Over 120 species of cactus thrive
here with 70% endemic to Baja. In the desert along the Sea of Cortez, you'll
also find exotic Elephant trees, Boojam trees, Ironwood, and Giant (60 ft.
plus) Cardon Cactus with forest like density near Las Animas. Open spacing and
hard surfaces allows for easy hiking and observation among the unique plants
and habitats. Many newcomers to the desert find the plants much more prolific
in variety, color, and density then they could have imagined. And when scarce
rains come, the desert quickly blooms in a bright display of flowers and
greenery.
Fish
The Sea of Cortez is home to
more than 800 species of marine vertebrates and 2000 invertebrates ranging in
size from tiny gobies to giant manta rays and docile whale sharks. Mostly
tropical in origin, many colorful reef fish you'll see snorkeling the clear
waters, look similar to what you'd find in the Carribean.
The Midriff Island
region is one of the "greatest fishing holes in the world". Guest who have had
little or no fishing experience, delight in the "almost guaranteed catching"
near Las Animas.
Some of the fish in these abundant
waters include: white sea bass, giant squid, cabrilla, spotted bay bass,
leopard grouper, grouper, yellowtail, lingcod, corvina, sierra, halibut,
barracuda, even dorado, rooster fish, sailfish and marlin in the summer. We
work exclusively with experienced local sport fishing captains. |
