BAJA GRAY WHALES

8 Days: Feb 18 - 25, 2014 with Jim Cline

Cost: $3575.00 includes round-trip transport by van from San Diego, airport transfers to/from hotel in San Diego, 3 days whale-watching, lodging.in hotels all 7 nights, all breakfasts and dinners, 3 lunches, and drinking water.. The price is based on double occupancy.  A single supplement of $295 applies.  This trip is limited to only 6 participants!.........

Venture with us to the winter breeding grounds of the California Gray Whale. Every
winter thousands of California gray whales migrate 6,000 miles from the cold waters
off Alaska to the warm waters of Baja California. Located near the town of Guerrero
Negro, the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon (also known as Scammon's Lagoon) is the
destination of the largest number of these magnificent mammals, approximately
1,500 - including newborn calves - every year. Come with experienced Baja photographer/guide Jim Cline on a trip to photograph these gentle giants at close
range in their natural habitat.

Gray whales have gathered in Ojo de Liebre for centuries to mate, calve, and relax before heading north to their Arctic feeding grounds. To view the whales as they blow, sound, mate, and calve in their natural habitat is an awe- inspiring experience that will never be forgotten. It's quite common for mother whales to bring their babies right up to the boat for a closer look!

We'll also spend two nights in the heart of Baja's most spectacular desert scenery in the
Catavina Boulderfields. The boulderfields are home to the majestic Cardon cactus, the
world's tallest cactus, as well as a wide variety of photogenic desert flora, and massive
granite boulders. ..On this trip we'll also visit the charming palm oasis town of San Ignacio.
With it's lingering colonial atmosphere and friendly inhabitants, San Ignacio is home to one
of the most beautiful missions in Baja.

To view some of Jim's images from this trip click on: 2008 Tour images or

www.jimcline.com/whales and www.jimcline.com/catavina .
2007 Tour . 2004 Tour . . . . . . . . . 2005 Tour . . . . . . . . . 2006 Tour.

Day one (Feb 18):  Depart San Diego bright and early at 6:30 a.m.  After crossing the border we’ll stop to obtain our Tourist

Cards (cost approx. $21 U.S.).  We’ll then continue south to Catavina, stopping for lunch at Mama Espinoza'a Restaurant -

a Baja institution.  We’ll arrive at the Catavina Boulderfields in the mid-afternoon and we’ll photograph through sunset. 

We’ll then go to our hotel where we’ll have a great Mexican food dinner in the restaurant.  We'll spend the night in Catavina.  

Day Two:  Those who want to can get up before dawn to photograph the first light on the desert.  In the late morning

we’ll have a meal at the hotel, and then depart on the 3 hour drive to Guerrero Negro.  After checking in to our hotel,

we’ll take a drive out to the lighthouse where we’ll photograph such subjects as boats, fishermen, seabirds including

ospreys, the salt-works, and the sunset.  We’ll then return to town for a seafood (or other) meal. We'll spend the night
in Guerrero Negro. 

Day Three:  Get up early and head out to the whale lagoon!  We’ll go out in 24 foot skiffs skippered by experienced

whale guides, and observe the whales up close.  After returning to our hotel, those who still have the energy can come

with me to photograph ospreys and the sunset again.  We’ll then return to town for dinner and a good sleep. We'll spend
the night in Guerrero Negro..

.Day Four:  Get up early and head out to the whale lagoon again!  We’ll go out in 24 foot skiffs skippered by experienced

whale guides, and observe the whales up close. We may go to photograph ospreys in the afternoon.

We'll spend the night in Guerrero Negro. .. .

Day Five:  Once again get up early and go whale watching/photographing. After lunch we’ll head south to the charming

palm oasis town of San Ignacio. We'll photograph the old buildings, the people, and the beautiful mission. At sunset time

we'll go to the beautiful palm-lined lagoon to shoot in the last light. We'll spend the night in San Ignacio..

Day Six: After breakfast we'll photograph around the town as many of the people in town arrive for Sunday Mass at the picturesque

mission. In the afternoon we'll have time to prepare our images for a group image sharing in the evening. 

We’ll have dinner at our hotel, and spend the night in San Ignacio.  

Day Seven: We'll wake up early and hike up to a special vantage point to photograph the first light on the mission and the

town. After breakfast we'll head north to Catavina, arriving in the afternoon, where one last time we’ll photograph the cacti and

boulders until the light is gone.  We’ll have dinner at our hotel.  

Day Eight (Feb 25):  After breakfast we’ll start the journey north, stopping at an ancient cave painting site and for other photo

ops along the way.  We’ll have lunch in the town of San Quintin.  We’ll then continue toward the border,

arriving in San Diego in the early evening. 

What past participants of Jim’s Baja Gray Whale tour had to say:........

"Hi Jim, just wanted to let you know again that I had a great time on the trip. You have so much enthusiasm for

photography and the culture of Latin America. This will build your business and really the best advertisement is by word

of mouth...you can be sure that I will share my enthusiasm also for your photo tours. I really learned so much about

photography, the culture of Baja - especially the grey whales and future possible trips. We really learn from each other and

your tour was a good place to share ideas, concepts and just have a good time also. I will see you on future trips......now

about that after trip party?" Dale Denio, San Diego, CA .

"Hi Jim, I just had a wonderful time. The trip just could not have been better, and was so rich on many levels. I really
expanded my technical knowledge, along with enjoyment of such incredible beauty. I just keep thinking of those
magnificent mammals starring at us!……… and as a bonus, the ospreys! The group was fun, and I enjoyed the
humor, and also the passion for photography that everyone shared. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, and
every meal was delicious. I especially loved the lion paw scallops in Guerrero Negro. Thanks again for going the extra mile
for us........I know we all appreciated it. Hasta Luego" Sharon Anthony, Carlsbad, CA .

"Jim, I wanted to tell you thanks for a truly amazing trip last month. Your trip gave me an opportunity to relax, enjoy the
adventure and concentrate on my photography. It was obvious you had spent a lot of time traveling in Mexico and
specifically in Baja. Catavina was without a doubt the most unique desert environment I've ever experienced. And to think
they put such a great little hotel in the middle of it. I could have spent a week there as long as the film supply held out. My
trip highlight however was our encounters with the Gray Whales . I found myself staring in amazement as those huge
animals glided past our little boat. You made this trip an awesome adventure. Thank you! I will certainly be joining you
again on another trip to Baja in the very near future!" ..Dan Megna, Ramona, CA

  "Jim, thank you so much for the exceptional journey to Baja for the wonderful photographic and nature experience.
Communing with the whales and their babies plus the rare Catavina desert environment is a bit of heaven on earth. Your
knowledge of this region made it so educational and both places are a wonder to behold. I can only hope to experience it
with you again one day, once is not enough!" Thanks again for a great time and tour. Baja is a new and wonderful
adventure from now on." ..Sharon Murnane, San Diego, CA  

Jim's photos of Baja have won numerous awards, and have been exhibited at the San Diego Natural History Museum.