Punta San Marcial
As the wind finally subsided and the sun returned from behind the clouds, we were ready to explore the deserted landscape of the Baja California Peninsula at wonderful Punta San Marcial. Several dry river beds provided us with ample space to walk and penetrate deep into the basin while enjoying the majestic view of the surrounding mountains. Many memorable discoveries were made, like the impressive tarantula-eating wasp, called tarantula hawk, or spiders, perfectly camouflaged in green, waiting to ambush the occasional fly. Tall cardones and organ pipe cactus provided the perfect scenery for such subtle life forms, whereas the inspection of many different kinds of sign revealed the presence of many more animals, like the burrows made by badger while trying to locate its rodent pray, or the scat of mountain lion, bobcat and coyote. Then, as we brave explorers reached the farthest reaches of the basin, we came upon several cattle heads, including the young calf pictured here. Well yes, it is a pretty calf, huh? But what's exciting about cows, you may think. Called chinampos, they are members of an ancient breed and descendents of the cattle that the Jesuit missionaries introduced into the Peninsula in the late 1600's and 1700's. The dry, harsh conditions of the desert acted as a natural filter that only let the strongest, hardier ones survive and make its descendants extremely well adapted to the particular environmental conditions of Baja California. Able to survive on a diet of dry leaves, burn-out grasses and cacti fleshy parts, their water needs reduced to a minimum, they are also resistant to many diseases and parasites. As we watch this cute calf, I wonder if it is a direct descendant of the cattle that Jesuit Padre Clemente Guillén brought along when he founded the Mission of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores del Sur, located some 30 miles to south of this place, in 1721. Anyway, whatever its exact origin, I couldn't help but marvel about the resistance and hardiness of both this cattle and the men that devoted their lives to this magnificent peninsula.
As the wind finally subsided and the sun returned from behind the clouds, we were ready to explore the deserted landscape of the Baja California Peninsula at wonderful Punta San Marcial. Several dry river beds provided us with ample space to walk and penetrate deep into the basin while enjoying the majestic view of the surrounding mountains. Many memorable discoveries were made, like the impressive tarantula-eating wasp, called tarantula hawk, or spiders, perfectly camouflaged in green, waiting to ambush the occasional fly. Tall cardones and organ pipe cactus provided the perfect scenery for such subtle life forms, whereas the inspection of many different kinds of sign revealed the presence of many more animals, like the burrows made by badger while trying to locate its rodent pray, or the scat of mountain lion, bobcat and coyote. Then, as we brave explorers reached the farthest reaches of the basin, we came upon several cattle heads, including the young calf pictured here. Well yes, it is a pretty calf, huh? But what's exciting about cows, you may think. Called chinampos, they are members of an ancient breed and descendents of the cattle that the Jesuit missionaries introduced into the Peninsula in the late 1600's and 1700's. The dry, harsh conditions of the desert acted as a natural filter that only let the strongest, hardier ones survive and make its descendants extremely well adapted to the particular environmental conditions of Baja California. Able to survive on a diet of dry leaves, burn-out grasses and cacti fleshy parts, their water needs reduced to a minimum, they are also resistant to many diseases and parasites. As we watch this cute calf, I wonder if it is a direct descendant of the cattle that Jesuit Padre Clemente Guillén brought along when he founded the Mission of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores del Sur, located some 30 miles to south of this place, in 1721. Anyway, whatever its exact origin, I couldn't help but marvel about the resistance and hardiness of both this cattle and the men that devoted their lives to this magnificent peninsula.
