More Good Stuff

FOR THE BIRDS: the fastest growing hobby in the U.S. and Europe these days is bird watching. Not really surprising, as we baby boomers slow down some. The great biodiversity of the Oaxacan coast is just one of its many attractions, and it's a motherlode for birders.

The river-fed mangrove lagoons are typical topography of the of the Oaxacan coast. a meeting of fresh water and the sea, this wetland environment harbors an astonishing variety of birds, as well as fish, flora, reptiles and mammals. You can experience is as close as the wetlands complex of Palmasola and Naranjos at Barra de Navidad, which is just 10 minutes away. More extensive are the Manialtepec and Chacahua systems. We strongly recommend a tour with Hidden Voyages. Biologist Mike Malone and his wife Joan have been studying the region's wildlife for 23 years now.

[roseate] If you like your encounters with nature more on the wild side, talk to the folks at Rutas de Aventura in the Hotel Santa Fe. Kayaking, mountain biking, rugged hiking, they can tailor an adventure specifically to get your adrenaline flowing.

[humpback whale] BIG THRILLS: There has been a particularly large presence of whales in our waters over the past weeks. January and February are the peak months for the whale migration along the coast. They are northern Pacific whales who winter in Mexico, Japan and Hawaii to calve. but there have many more sightings than usual and the animals seem to be hanging around for longer periods of time.

The most common large whale you might see is the humpback, but it's not unusual to spot smaller whales, such as the false killer whale, whose black and white form resembles the orca. Although orca sightings, too are not uncommon.

[to page top]