We had a fabulous day today!!!! Tour operator/guide Eric and his driver Alex arrived at 10 min to 7 and escorted us on their Rio Lagartos-Ek' Balam Tour.
The following pictures are shots taken through the bus window along our journey
In the distance can be seen tall palm trees, this is a type of palm used to make thatched roofs. If the palm is cut on one of the two darkest nights of the moon the thatch will last 50 plus years, if it is not cut on one of these days a worm develops and the thatch will last only 5 to 7 years.
Welcome to Rio Lagartos
Río Lagartos is located at the Rio Lagartos lagoon, which is part of a natural reserve known for great birdwatching.. This lagoon is part of the Petenes mangroves ecoregion, and the Ria Lagartos has been designated as an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA).
This is a map of the area. If you look closely you will notice a red mark on the left and another about mid-photo, these mark the area we travelled on our tour.
Scenes of the harbour
This little fellow is looking for lunch and may be the spotted sandpiper
The brown pelicans - native to this area have pirated this boat
Several old boats have been anchored in the harbour for birds to rest on
A Canadian pelican, apparently they migrate from Canada to Mexico - just like us! This is the only one we saw today.
We are nearing the flamingo feeding grounds, notice the water is very shallow, only inches deep.
Possibly the Great Egret
The flamingos feed in shallow waters, looking for shrimp, minute larva etc.
It is the food they eat that gives their feathers this beautiful colour, the older the bird the darker the colour.
We were not taken to the nesting grounds because if the flamingo gets threatened it will leave its nest never to return.
Magnificent birds!
More harbour pics
These are real cormorants sitting on the sign at the entrance to the preserve.
This and other sites explain the hurricane effects on the area
Trees killed from a hurricane 8 or 9 years ago
Fishermen are netting bait to catch larger fish
A cormorant
A lessor Blue Herron
These trees have feelers or roots that reach down into the water to nourish the tree
A Great Blue Heron
an Egret
Another Great Blue Heron
A bait fish was put in the water, this black hawk came down caught it in his talons and took it to his perch.
He wanted to eat without threat so he decided with us so close it would be best to move on
a Bittern
Another cormorant
An artisan freshwater spring has been piped to the surface to be used by fishermen and boaters that pass by
A view of the channel ahead of us
Great Blue Heron
Our first sighting of a crocodile
A Black Hawk searching the waters for food
The Spoon Billed Heron
The Great White Egret
The greenery of the mangrove swamp
is so clean and fresh looking
is so clean and fresh looking
another Great White Egret
The bridge is in view marking the coming end of the first leg of our journey
Our second sighting and oh what a big one!!
He raises his head,
....and takes a look around....
....says "I am out'a here!!
I'm going....
....going....
......going....
......Ha!Ha!Ha! GONE!!!!!!
On the other side of the bridge we find.....
other bird watchers
Strange looking creatures they are.
Salt flats are in the area and the kids have bathed
in the mud around of these flats. It is believed
the mud is an agent for good health.
In my web search on information regarding the salt flats of Rio Lagartos this is what I came up with - read and enjoy.....
http://pnorrisjohnson.org/salt-flats-las-coloradas/
http://pnorrisjohnson.org/salt-flats-las-coloradas/
These are real pelicans waiting for bait fish from the tour boats
Quite a feeding frenzy
Our tour cost included an orgasmic lunch of fish at this decorative cute restaurant
Allan smiling happily with this little lady ready to put her foot on his shoulder and Bob smirking in the thought if he doesn't get his turn Allan is going in the fire pit.
These pics are inside the restaurant - very nice!!
Our driver Alex - he says he is shy but I told him he takes a good photo - one to go home to Mom and Dad. Don't they make their men handsome here?
Mor pics about town before we leave
Now we have about an hour plus to drive to Ek' Balam
om/maya-sites-in-mexico/ek-balam-the-black-jaguar-.html
This is our Mayan Guide at Ek' Balam,
he is extremely proud of his Mayan heritage and
a good speaker. He was very knowledgable of the history on Ek' Balam and able to answer all questions asked of him.
a good speaker. He was very knowledgable of the history on Ek' Balam and able to answer all questions asked of him.
The preceeding attached youtube video does not tell you this figure on the carving represents homosexuals - the male homosexuals were given the position of guard over the women when the King and or his men had to leave the village.
The two are deformed individuals, the one on the left has one arm longer than the other, the shorter arm has 4 fingers. The figure on the right has legs with thighs too thick for his body. These figures represent the respect deformed people received from the King and community members. Deformaties are claimed to be attributed to births of incest.
The last King of this village was entumbed at this location; there were two beheaded men laying with him. It is believed they were to accompany him as body guards in the after life.
View from the highest point -
Yes Allan and I climbed to the top!!!!
Fossills we found on the steps - now think about this...these steps were created circa 400-800 AD!!!!!
How old are the fossils?????
Let sleeping dogs lay they say....does that mean Mexican dogs as well?
Eric, our tour guide comes highly recommended!!
Our special Mayan Princess" Miranda" She is riding in a real car tonight
Sponge Bob for Jed Square Pants
When you see a tree for rent it is time to quite the cervesa and go home.
Good Night!!
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