Monday 5 November 2018

Estero del Yugo Nature Preserve

We discovered this 27 acre nature preserve about 100 yards from our campsite.  We were fortunate to have a student (David) take us on a 2.5 hour guided tour, he is doing research for his Bachelor of Environmental Studies.  A bird blind and tower offered views of the lagoons, both freshwater and saltwater, and flat, tropical deciduous forest along this more than 1.5 mile trail and boardwalks.

We could see the Riu hotel from the trailhead before we disappeared into the forest.

 Our friend Judy and David our guide

A forest of trees interspersed with cacti



Some trees had information tags usually re medicinal properties.

Epiphyte on cactus

 Termite nest

This is a natural trail no plantings

Land crab holes 

 Sino cactus.  Sinoloa is named for this cacti

 Sino growing amongst trees



Tasajo

Bird nest



 Black vulture at top of viewing tower





 A very small lizard





They were repairing the bird blind after some damage

A small deer inhabits this forest

Iguana





 Climbing upwards into larger trees and cacti

Ocelot tracks in a damp stream bed

 Termite nest in Cactus





 Into grassland



 Out to the cliffs along the ocean

We could see fish swimming in clear water below







 The large "tree" is actually a huge tree-like cacti

 I don't think I could have put my arms around it



More huge cacti

We eventually came out on the street and made our way back to the RV park.  We saw many birds and insects which we did not get photos of.  David had a bird book with him and showed us which ones we were looking at.  He was also recording the sitings and told us he walks the trails several times a day.  

We went to Walmart and ended the day with refreshments in the shade.  We have met several couples we know from La Penita who are also travelling.  We are staying another day in Mazatlan maybe even longer.

1 comment:

Amy and Rick said...

Looks like a great spot! We have friends who winter in Mazatlan every year. We are currently awaiting the 3rd onset of winter since we have had snow on the ground twice before this. Wednesday the bottom will drop out of the thermometer as we head for an over night of -20C. I guess we have to admit winter has come to stay. Stay warm!