ACS Monterey Bay Program for September 2006

The Friendly Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon

Thursday, September 28, 2006 7 p.m. Refreshments, 7:30 p.m. Program Lecture Hall, Monterey Boatworks, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove (Across from American Tin Cannery Outlet Stores) Speaker: Jerry Loomis

Most gray whales spend the winter in bays and lagoons along the west coast of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. Baleen whales give birth in warm water and the gray whales chose Mexico. Of the birthing locations, San Ignacio Lagoon has captured our interest and our hearts because of the "friendly whales" there. Why do the whales of San Ignacio come to the boats? Why do the mother whales bring their calves within petting distance of boat passengers? Are these whales different from gray whales elsewhere?

Another thing Jerry will share with us is the magic of the region. The Vizcaino Desert Preserve stretches across Baja from the Pacific Ocean almost to the town of San Ignacio, which is 50 miles east on a dirt road from the lagoon. The Preserve is thousands of square miles where rain is so scarce that vegetation has learned to get its moisture from the fogs that blow in from the Pacific. Rocky mesas and broad plains are scattered with stands of yucca, agave, ocotillo, cirio and cactus. The lagoon rim itself has the feeling of being swallowed by white sand and light ... so vast it almost seems as if the people in the camp and the whales are the last left to breathe the clear, light air. By contrast, in one section, there is a mangrove wetlands full of birds and an island with the largest number of nesting ospreys anywhere. It is easy to see why the region brings people back.

Jerry has led trips to the lagoon for 8 years and we have heard updates about the mom/calf pairs from him. Conditions in the lagoon fluctuate and the ACS Monterey Bay stays involved. Jerry will tell us about recent efforts to conserve the area, led by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Mexican government. He also will tell us about the local school for children of the fishermen who monitor and protect the whales, and about the whales themselves as numbers and conditions change.

In addition to his role as president of this ACS chapter, Jerry is a skillful photographer and a popular speaker.

Come and learn about "our" whales in an easy-listening program.

Related web pages:

• Links to additional information and photos of Gray Whales

• Back to list of previous meetings.