Where's the Blue Footed Booby?

It's quiz time... Choose the most correct answer.
Where can you see a Blue Footed Booby?

a) The Galapagos Islands
b) Mazatlan
c) West Coast of Alaska
d) only a) & b)
e) all of the above.

HINT: The number & variety of birds plus the ecological diversity in Western Mexico contributed to the success of the Mazatlan Bird Festival. The answer is below.

Thank you to Trek Holidays, one of our suppliers, for providing the photo above. It's from the Galapagos Islands. Ron took the second photo from a moving boat during the Mazatlan Bird Festival. Thanks Ron!

Amazing birds, plants & other animals are much closer than you might think... The correct answer is (d).

Sea lions basking in the sun

We saw these sea lions during the "Islands of Mazatlan" tour at the Mazatlan Bird Festival. The sea lion playing in the water (below left) was very entertaining. It was either trying to get the other sea lion sunbathers on the rock to come play in the water or having absolutely no success getting on the rock himself. Either way, we applauded when the one in the water heaved itself out & had a sun bath too. So, for anyone who likes the natural world it's all happening at the Mazatlan Bird Festival: conservation, ecology, plants, animals, rocks, & every other aspect of nature you might want to find.

This bird's for Carolyn Felderhof

The Mazatlan Bird Festival had lots of other terrific guides & leaders. Carolyn Felderhof was one of those people. She was also one of two principal organizers, along with her husband, Peter Beckman. Just before an early morning tour departure, Carolyn came by to tell everyone about seeing a small bird that is distinctly Mexican. At the time Ron & I were waking up with quick breakfast. Off we went... There was a small flock of Mexican Parrotlets. At rest it is small & relatively solid green with flashes of blue when it flies. This bird was beautiful but too small & well camouflaged for our camera. Instead, the photo below is from the last day of our holiday with a Willet (above) & a Laughing Gull (below). And this one's for Carolyn Felderhof & Peter Beckman with gratitude!

Back to the birds... 2 more photos

I'm reminiscing about the Mazatlan Bird Festival again. These are 2 shorebirds. On the left is an American Oystercatcher. A Snowy Egret is movin' it on the right. For more bird photos, go to these Photo Gallery subalbums:

• Flora & Fauna - Fauna
• Mexico - 2009 Mazatlan Bird Festival.

Great guides - Rene & Rudolpho

Ron & I went on two of the many tours available during the Mazatlan Bird Festival. We had the same wonderful guide for both trips. He is Rene Valdez, the gentleman in the baseball cap in the photo above. On this trip we had a second guide, Rudolpho, who was equally wonderful. He's beside Rene in the photo.

Ron took this panoramic view of Deer Island during the "Islands of Mazatlan" tour. I stayed on the beach & kept company with a Great Blue Heron for about 1/2 an hour as well as some American Oystercatchers, & other beautiful plants, animals, human visitors to the beach & scenery. Ron & I both had a great time.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

It seems like our departure on January 1st to Western Mexico was eons ago. We returned one week ago and that seems like ancient history now too. I've been out of action with a nasty upper respiratory infection but I'm starting to feel better today. As a result, my absence from the TPI - Janus Travel blog was longer than expected.

While I did make a few posts during our time at the Faro Mazatlan Resort, I regret that it's been so long since you've had a update... Hopefully, absence really does make your heart grow fonder & your patience will extend 1 or 2 more days. There's lots to blog about from our terrific journey to Western Mexico. It will likely start with a short post today or tomorrow. Afterwards, I'll be up & running again. So, stay tuned for the return of regular TPI - Janus Travel posts.

For the birds

It´s no surprise that this weekend in Mazatlan will mark the first Mazatlan Bird Festival. There are so many birds here. Ron & I decided to attend a beginner birding workshop & two of the shorter birding tours. We´ll also attend an art exhibit opening & one of the special dinner-time presentations affiliated with the festival. I´m looking forward to it. In the meantime, here´s a seagull & a pelican. My photos of their avian buddies from the beach here at the Faro Mazatlan Resort are better but I´m out of time.

Introducing Kenia

Kenia is one of many local iguanas at the Faro Mazatlan Resort. The resort is at the top of a rocky cliff. Lots of iguanas live among the rocks. Not Kenia. He has a different home. It´s at the pool near the open door to the bar. Kenia comes out of the yellow cinder block on the left side of the open door in the afternoon for sunbathing & food. He´s well fed & likes tomatoes.

Room with a View - Faro Mazatlan Resort

The trip to the Copper Canyon is on hold. We´re staying at the Faro Mazatlan Resort for several more days. What do you think of the views from the balcony?

Take a pulmonia in Mazatlan

Pulmonias are the white open air cabs that are unique to the beautiful city of Mazatlan. Make sure you take a pulmonia at least once when you visit Mazatlan!

Waiting to see you at Las Palmas by the Sea Resort

Here are some of the great staff at Las Palmas by the Sea Resort in Puerto Vallarta. They´re waiting to see you! I´ll add more pictures to our Photo Gallery pages plus names for this picture after we return from Mexico.

La Bodeguita del Medio on a Saturday night

I´ll blog again later. For now... there are a few new photos from La Bodeguita del Medio in our Photo Gallery. Look in the Mexico album for the subalbum named "2009 Mexico".

P.S. Norberto, vas a necesitar usar la programma Babel fish para cambiar ingles a espagnol.

¡Hola! Bienvenidos a "Hockey Night in Buscerias"

Hola! Ron & I arrived in Mazatlan yesterday night after 6 terrific days in Puerto Vallarta. We have so many stories about our friends here in Mexico. On Monday Ron & I spent a terrific day with Norberto & his wife, Laura. We went to Buscerias, just outside of Puerto Vallarta. Norberto´s friend owns a restaurant there. It was the first time I was able to swim in the ocean since an illness a few years ago. It was very exciting.