Sunny Day in Las Gaviotas

Las Gaviotas Emblem

I don't know whether it was busier in the sky, in the water, or on the land. Las Gaviotas was hopping with activity this weekend. It is Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. and many people who ordinarily don't travel down here were present. Many had rented some of the available beachfront houses. They were tanning, surfing, playing volleyball, eating, drinking, and playing games. Normally, a crowd like this would make people frown, but Americans have been staying away from Mexico because of ongoing drug-related violence. This time, the droves of visitors were a welcome sight. 

A local fisherman has permission from the residents to set up shop every Saturday. His fish is fresh and his prices are good. Halibut sells for $5.00 a pound.

 The fisherman was busy preparing ceviche, which is the Mexican version of sushi. It consists of finely chopped raw seafood, "cooked," by having straight lemon juice squeezed onto it. Place on a tortilla chip and munch away. 

Fish heads and entrails tossed over the side attracted many seagulls, who were happy to act as clean-up crew. 

They were so fat, gorged, and content that they allowed me to sit right by them while I chomped on my mustard-lined hotdog. 

These two gulls were friendly, but I saw several others fight over scraps. Seagulls are very bold birds. In the past, I've had one pluck a scoop of ice cream right off my cone. 

Younger seagulls have a brownish color. When this one grows a little older, it will develop white and blue-grey feathers. 

This home has put up the U.S. flag for the holiday. The Mexican flag is there, too. I learned yesterday that a light must shine on the flag at all times, unless it is folded away. Nighttime usually means the flag must be put away. 

 
I walked out to Pelican Point, hoping to get a shot of a pelican actually resting still on a rock, but the many beach-goers sat on the rocks that jut out into the ocean. The pelicans, unlike seagulls, usually shy away from humans.

On this day, I did not find a single pelican on land, but there were dozens and dozens of them flying back and forth in the air. 

Las Gaviotas has so many beautiful homes, and as an enclosed community, provides a safe and beautiful environment for residents to walk, play tennis, and the like. 

I could sit for hours (I do when I am down there) just watching the waves and the birds. Certain times of the year, dolphins and whales are part of the scene, too. 

My last pelican shot of the day. I had given up and was just relaxing when this opportunity arrived. 

You wouldn't believe how loud, crisp, and clear this little house finch was singing. Some have red breasts and others yellow. 

At the end of the day a hummingbird came to sip from the feeder provided on a neighbor's balcony.