Woke up this morning to the first “restless” day. No, not me being restless, but the weather. Restless to me means undecided, dark, loaded with potential and filled with raw energy. There was a small squall that passed by yesterday morning so I kayaked out to take a closer look. It was too far away to be of any threat to me but close enough so that I could feel it’s presence, hear the thunder within it, and see the flashes of lightening illuminating it’s clouds…. ah, nature, nothing, absolutely nothing, like it. This morning there was even more “restless” energy. It is now 10:00 am and the Sea is forming white caps and I can again feel the potential. I have been here long enough now to read this as just a minor passing “tempesta” (storm) but it signifies the coming seasonal climate change. I do love to see Mother Earth and Father Sky do there dance!!

Speaking of dancing I sent the picture below to National Geographic’s “Your Shot” program.

I took this in 1992 on The Island of Innisfallen on Lough Le'in (modern Leane, meaning Lake of Learning) near Killarney, Ireland. I was investigating an ancient Monastery (Innisfallen Abby circa 7th century and perhaps Irelands first University), thinking I was the only person on the Island. I heard this Faire like laughter coming from one of the rooms and happened upon this young girl twirling about while singing and laughing. I don’t think I have ever heard such a beautiful, ethereal sound or witnessed such a heart-warming sight. I got this shot without her ever knowing I was there. I have no idea who she was but I later saw her with her parents leaving the island on a small boat. Until that moment I had almost convinced myself that she had been an apparition or maybe a Faire. She was a gift.
Since writing this on the 16th, today being the 19th, it has indeed been chosen as one of today's "Daily Dozen" in their "Your Shot" program. To see it on their site go to: ngm.nationalgeographicmagazine.com/myshot/. Each month one of the "daily dozen" is chosen to be included in the next issue of ngm. If anyone sees it, please let me know.

As long as I am showing some pictures here’s the latest of my Pagan Pictographs.

This is undoubtedly familiar to many if not most of you and it happens to be one of my favorites. This is a symbol that represents the essence of The Native American Medicine Wheel. Various traditions use different colors (red instead of yellow for East, yellow or green for south instead of red, blue for west instead of black, north pretty much always white) the ones I used are those used by The Huichol of Mexico and a number of other North American Peoples. The symbol’s origin is very ancient, most likely predating the entrance of The Native American into The Western Hemisphere (+ or – 20-22,000 BP) and possibly even used by late Homo erectus peoples as early as 200,000 BP. It is a symbol that is also shared by just about all primal peoples throughout the world; possibly one of the three earliest symbols of human’s emerging awareness. Very basically it represents the Cyclical Nature of Existence and The Inherent Energies of The Four Cardinal Directions. Different traditions have different ways of interpreting The Medicine Wheel but the “essence” is the same. I heartily recommend to everyone to at the very least google it and let your spirit be lifted.

I was premature in my suggesting that The Great Dragon Fly Migration has begun. They are here, and in good numbers but I don’t see them all moving north in the constant flow of last year. I think that within the next 2 weeks however it will begin. They are by the way, Red Skimmers. When the sun shines through their wings at just the right angle it is breath taking. Like crystal clear rubies with fine deeper red etchings all over them….a sight to see!

A Red Skimmer, not my photo

My Red Ant friends are here but have not yet begun their march in front of me under my palapa. I became enamored of them last year about this time when I saw how happy they were to receive the flys I swatted and flipped in their path while sitting here (that’s where I am writing from right now).

I have been writing for ½ hour now and the wind has picked up a bit. I think we have a good afternoon blow coming (12-14 knots). Again nothing serious but we have had very little wind for the past month. Everyone is anticipating a rain soon. If we get three good days of rain it is considered to be sufficient for the year. Seeing the desert bloom during that time is awesome (and I mean the REAL awesome).

Due to a reawakened enjoyment in watching movies (friend's CDs) I have recognized a basic truth….TV is indeed very, very bad for the human race. I do not mean this in any jest; it is plain bad, bad, bad. Now that does not mean I will stop watching when I feel like it or suggest you do, but the overall effect of that constant kind of stimulation is really messing with the brains of our children and the brains of our less discriminating (kindest way I can put this) adults. Without question TV draws us away from our relationship with nature. As immersed as I am in Nature, I nevertheless am “over stimulated and distracted” from being “connected” when I watch television. If that is the case for me, a biologist living in a paradise of nature, what must it be like for a child watching TV 6-8 hrs/day? Frightening, truly frightening. Read to your children (grandchildren for many of you) the works of Loren Eisley, Jane Goodall or any number of other naturalists and give them something REAL to identify with. Of course the nature shows aren't bad but that is still not REAL!

I just looked up to see The Red Ants are on the move, they are back and passing by my way again….how cool!! Now my fly swatting will take on a much greater significance. The ants are soooo important to the planet.

A short while back I was concerned, as were my doctors, about my physical health. I chose to surrender to the Healing Forces within and without me. I'm feeling pretty damn good!


Namaste’

So far it has been an incredibly beautiful summer. We have only had a week altogether of what could be called hot weather. It is just about perfect. No winds to speak of, every day a kayaking day and no major jellyfish action. Swimming laps therefore, is delightful; I’m up to 30 now and that’s as good as I’ve done (with regularity) in 20 years. Speaking of kayaking check out this shot of a dentist, a Doctor Richard Kraft of Sitka, Alaska, with a Humpback coming up right under him while the whale was feeding. No harm done according to the doctor!

I saw the most beautiful fox yesterday at sunset hunting along my fence line. I couldn’t get a shot of him because as soon as I moved he was gone. Really sleek looking with a long bushy tail and considerably bigger than the foxes I’m used to seeing in The States. I think I may have seen him before.

I did get a picture of yet another Iguana/Lizard (?) on the property. This one has taken up residence in one of the cacti. He got curious when I accidentally sprayed his home with the hose.


It is good sized so I’m leaning toward identifying it as another Spiny Tailed Iguana (it also has the classic tail) but I’m going to have to get a better look.

Biggest adventure for me this past week was going in to San Jose del Cabo and staying two nights at the Grand Mayan Hotel.

This was a gift from John Schaeffer and Nancy Hensley and I made the most of it. I had a room with my own small pool on the balcony, tub in the bedroom, two TVs, full kitchen….what fun! I took advantage of ALL the amenities, beach, pool(s), spa, hot tubs and a buffet dinner that was outstanding. I did of course eat too much and suffered later but while I was eating it was heavenly, and worth it. I also went into San Jose Centro and heard a really good Mexican band playing in The Square (one of my favorite places down here) and stopped for some pastries and fresh bread at The French Bakery nearby before leaving.

Nicest of all I made some new friends. In order of their appearance in my life: Jesus who helped me with my bags, Ramily at the jewelry store in the hotel, Marcelina who runs the spa and Fernanda and “Mack” also at the jewelry store. They were real sweet to me and very interested in my whale work.

All together a great change of pace for me, good for the blood. It also reminded me of the incredible life I lead here in little El Cardonal.

It’s a rare day here in El Cardonal; overcast and cool, reminds me of a summers day in San Francisco. It is very pleasant and great for drinking hot chocolate and doing some writing. I have pretty much disregarded my personal journal due to the writing I do here in this blog and in my Nature Journal, which is too bad but I think my kids will be able to figure it all out (my doings here) one day. By the way, here are a couple of recent pictures of them. The first is of my daughter Kersti and her husband Bill, the second my son Zack. The 3rd picture is of the three of us in the desert near my place in 2001.

Kersti & Bill

Zack

Me & The Kids

Last year I wrote about this incredible Dragon Fly migration that passed through here in late July; literally hundreds of thousands of them passing in a day’s time. I noted the exact date when they were in greatest numbers as July 24-25th. I have been keeping an eye out for them again to see if I could spot the vanguard for this year’s migration. Well I did. They started coming by on the 29th of June. Now that’s almost a month before last year….however, this is just the vanguard so I am not drawing any conclusions yet. Last year I may easily have missed the vanguard simply not knowing it was happening. So we will see if indeed the massive move will be about the same time of year. In natures migration cycles a difference of a couple of weeks can be a significant indicator of change. Not necessarily bad….just change. The picture below was caught in mid flight by just pointing at a group going by (they NEVER alight anywhere) and shooting, LUCKY SHOT! As I stated last year it is a breeding thing. Just google dragon fly migration if you want more info.

A Red Skimmer I think!

I almost sailed off to the Pacific this week. I considered signing on as a crew member on The Schooner "Talofa" for a run from La Paz to The Channel Islands. I got real excited about it for a while and then realized how very important my space and time has become to me, not to mention my physical capacity for hauling lines, and I copped out. If I can’t carry my weight as a crewman I don’t want to be part of the journey. In 1998 I made the passage to Hawaii from San Francisco as a crew member on The Schooner "Dariabar" and it taught me a great deal about the ethos of being a sailor…..and my capacities. I am sure it will be a glorious sail and I may have missed a really special opportunity but it is what it is and there are some things I just have to let go, eh?

Brigantine rigged tallship "Talofa" 100'

Staysail rigged schooner "Dariabar" 84'

The other day I went out to The WZ again, it was incredibly flat, to see what might be passing by. My first visitor was a California Sea Lion but he was on a mission and only stopped for a short hello and was off again. It was so quiet out there that I lay back in my kayak and closed my eyes, enjoying the moment. Then I thought I heard a couple of small blows. Not anywhere loud and/or strong enough to be whales but maybe dolphins. I looked all around but saw nothing. Then I figured I was mistaken but then heard it again. No question…..dolphins but where? I kept hearing them and getting a little louder but couldn’t see them anywhere. I put on my mask and fins and hoped I would locate them soon enough to make an intercept. I finally saw them and indeed they were coming right my way. I rolled in and swam towards them and I saw that they were Pacific Common Dolphins. I went under but they passed beneath me and the visibility was not all that good so no encounter. But I sure get off on the rush of rolling in, being in the Sea with them nearby and just BEING. I love this Sea of Cortez, it’s a real home to me in every way.
Being fired up like I was I decided to do my laps from about ¼ mile out and over the reef….always something cool to see there! Lucked out again. A big beautiful Sea Turtle swimming right under me, checking me out and then moving on. I am doing all my lap swimming with my mask on now, whether across the reef or along the shoreline, so many things to see.
The other day while doing laps alongside the shore I swam over a low overhanging ledge and I spotted these weird looking antennae sticking out . I stopped for a closer look and it was the biggest lobster I have ever seen. I mean he was huge. I couldn’t make out his whole body but he had to have been 18”-20” long. That’s big for around here anymore. I don’t kill critters, well besides feral cats, so I’m hoping nobody else spots him.

John Schaeffer sent this video and I highly recommend it to all, especially if you are fascinated by NATURE, it is truly beautiful and so instructive. http://vimeo.com/9953368
John Schaeffer sends the coolest stuff!!! Thank you John.

Oh here’s something. I just started watching the series LOST again. I haven’t seen the final season so no hints please. The point is this; I need the whole series 2,3 and 4…especially 4 because I missed that entirely! I have 1 & 5 and I’ll just wait on 6 till it’s easily available. If you have them, or any one of them, and could spare them please let me know (ukaldveer@gmail.com) and we’ll figure out a way to get them to me.

Here’s a picture for my dear friend Dolores Toivonen in redwood Valley. It’s a Verdin, pretty rare up your way but a common and appreciated visitor in my yard.


These guys went by the other day reminding me of the “other” reality.

Mexican Navy Patrol Boat

This is a shot of this year’s forward observation post for whale spotting. We’ll see how it looks after the hurricane season.

Actually looks like the hurricane already came, eh?

And the last pic, the blossom of an Ocotillo Cactus….extraordinary no?

It's the RED man!

Namaste’

For those of you who may actually be reading my posts (and I am honored) don’t misinterpret from my recent post or this one that I am depressed or loosing hope. Of course I am terribly disappointed in The President, The Congress, The American people and the lack of general intelligence of The Human Race but outside of that I am very well indeed.


Does this guy look stressed?

Before I leave that however I would like you to see this photo (not mine) of the waves breaking on Alabama shores. Not to mention the “peripheral damage” to turtles, sharks, whales, dolphins…..and PLANKTON!!


This is really, really not good!

The BP debacle is only a forerunner of the very real potential for global disaster unless we stop this ludicrous dependence on oil. As a retired Biology Professor I am amazed at the lack of understanding by the common folk of how this planet actually works. The agenda of The Rich and Powerful is so devoid of planetary sensitivity that they are not even worth mentioning but what the hell is being taught in Biology classes that the Common folk aren’t incensed? What don’t they understand?? It’s all so damn simple!

Well I’m incensed. There are plans to build three new marinas (see restaurants, hotels, upscale houses) down here within 30 miles of my Humpback grounds…..and golf courses too….for Gringos! I’m fighting it every way I can with a lot of other folks but we’er talking BIG MONEY here…corporate money. The depth of my hatred for these people and their greed has only grown over the years and I will fight them as long as I am alive.

Today’s diatribe is a result of two things; a report on the damage to the shark population from the oil “leak” and seeing that The Supreme Court of The US has struck down the gun control law in Chicago as unconstitutional. Over 500 people murdered in Chicago last year and it makes sense to provide more easy access to handguns?? I’ve got to stop looking at CNN.

OK, so the cool part again. My friend Antonio saw a Humpback going south in front of El Cardonal about two weeks ago. Very late in the season for a whale to still be here, wish I could have seen it. I still go out to The Whale Zone occasionally thinking I may have an adventure but not much out there right now.

The insect world continues to be moderate even with the increased temperature and humidity. More flies for sure but they and the mosquitos so far are manageable. No scorpions around my place yet….very cool. I had a two day ant war in the trailer but it seems I am victorious. These aren’t my red ant friends but these frantic small black ants that get everywhere. I did see a small group of Dragon Flies going north yesterday but I don’t think it’s migration time yet. No millipede swarm yet either.

My two Iguanas are doing well and seem to be enjoying the fruit slices I put out for them in the morning. I can get within about 2 feet of them now before they scamper into their holes but I am working on a closer relationship.

Here is the third of my Pagan Symbol series that I paint on rocks to have around my place. Although the first explanation of it is the popular one it is also very possible that it actually describes the seasons (second pic). I took the symbol from the net. It's on an old piece of parchment housed at The Icelandic Museum. I copied it as authentically as I could so it is not perfect geometrically.



The traditional Occult Symbol – Aegishjalmur commonly referred to as the “helm of awe” is an ancient Scandinavian runic Viking symbol. The symbol is said be worn over the forehead or used as a tattoo. In history it was said to be scratched or drawn on the inside of one’s battle helmet to give the wielder power. Its magical purpose is said to be protection and “irresistibility” in battle.
Within the symbol is Algiz as shown by the image which is the rune of protection. In the center is the circle most likely representing oneself surrounded by protective energy. This was a very powerful symbol from the pagan era, it is indicated to be used in battle as well as protecting the wielder in general from magical or physical attack including the abuse of power.



And here is another recent crop circle.


June 25th, 2010, England

Dream PEACE into existence and call upon the ANCIENT POWERS. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

And here are two devoted, and lovely, Whale Protector friends. Line Bork on the left and my 2009 intern, Elizabeth Plumb on the right (not in research gear)….Goddess bless you ladies!


The "light" that these young women bring into my life is no little matter.

It seems that all my life I have been straddling a fence ("Can you bear the beauty with the pain"). There has always been and there continues to be a part of me that is absolutely enraged with the ignorance, greed and evil that was ramped in the world I was born into (1941) and that at 68 I still find determining the future. I was told by my mother that the first two years of my life were spent in a “War Zone” in which my people (The Estonians) were targets for both sides during The “Great War”.


Tallinn, Estonia, city of my birth

Maybe I was “shell shocked”, I really don’t know. What I do know is that the global system that is in effect at the present time (Capitalism, phony Democracy and Corporate Power) is corrupt and destined for failure (thank the Gods)!! Although I have become once again an expatriate, and spend little time agonizing over the direction that The US (and it’s whores England & Israel) continues to take, I am kept abreast of events by my son, Zack. Fortunately, my daughter Kersti mellows my temper when it all becomes too depressing.

I feel it is my responsibility as an elder to speak out in support of what I know to be right and good. What is that? Well……realizing WAR ain’t the solution, it’s the problem!! Fossil fuels HAVE TO BE DISCONTINUED as an energy source. Regardless of religious beliefs, POPULATION CONTROL is a must. Perhaps most importantly Corporations ARE NOT INDIVIDUALS and should not be seen as such under the Law.

Well, there you go, my venting. But it’s more than that. It really is something everyone needs to address personally and spiritually. We are allowing our freedoms and our future to be ripped off by unscrupulous men and women who have only one agenda…wealth and power.

OK so now for the good stuff (the other side of my fence straddling). For years my grandfather’s stories about his experiences as a sea captain have been passed on orally. Now we have an Estonian whose grandfather was also a sea captain translating my grandfather’s book, “30 years as a Sea Captain in The Far East”. To say the least it has been a great read so far (half done).


My grandpa Peipa

I have often mentioned my good friend Jorge (George Sievers) in regard to my life down here, well here’s his picture. A good friend and a good man.


Jorge in Colorado

For those of you interested in the crop circle phenomenon check this latest one from England, Yeah, right…..in the dark, totally quiet and overnight.



Here’s a picture of the Summer Solstice Stone I set this morning. It’s the larger one to the left of the yellow marked (Equinox) stone. The large one to the right is The Winter Solstice Stone. These are constants, devoid of influence from men/women and the key to understanding the workings of this planet. That is why humans have celebrated these moments for tens of thousands of years before the concept of one god and a chosen people, whatever race or religion, was forced on us.

People coming, people going. Soon the days will be getting hot and the flow of visitors will become a trickle. The Summer Solstice is just around the corner and it will be time to place the Solstice Stone in The Medicine Wheel.

Not much happening in The Sea right now although some new friends at Lynn's saw a good sized herd of Bottle Nose Dolphin while fishing the other day. I'm spending time as usual....reading, kayaking, swimming etc. Lots of layed back time for sure.

Here's the way my place is looking now-a-days....well, part of it.


Some friends were here a few weeks back and we went out to the reef for some snorkeling. They had a camera so they took these shots. Thanks Laura and Jamie.

Preparing to go in

Taking a look

Visibility not so good but hey?

Did I say "laid back"?

The Baja California Penninsula from Space

I am happy to report that after 10 years of planning to study our reef here I have FINALLY determined the optimum placement of my transect (this is an imaginary line between to stations 150’ apart) and with the help of my very dear friends Alan, Marilyn and Jorge (George Sievers) we have actually placed the anchor stations and I am now ready to begin a “Baseline Survey”………perseverance furthers. Eh?

The Reef from Space

Though I consider the work with my Humpback Friends as my primary conservation contribution at this time in my life, The Reef is possibly a more critical study. We are losing our reefs at a truly alarming rate and need to address this degradation with swift and clear action. A Baseline Survey is the starting point for collecting data that can be used to convince those who are ignorant of the basic dynamics of the Marine World to recognize the seriousness of the situation (BP is a classic example of those who have immense power and are either ignorant or heartless).


I want to thank publicly and personally the help given to me by the aforementioned people (Alan, Marilyn and Jorge) because without their help it would be much, much more difficult. It took 3 days of “teamwork” for the 4 of us to complete the anchoring process and this morning, with the aid of Alan (I couldn’t free dive to the anchor depth without terrible pain to my long ago damaged left ear), we have the transect ready to go. This is going to be great fun and really not difficult work now that the anchors are in place.

Last weekend was Cardonal’s annual fishing tournament and though a good number of boats went out nobody did all that well. In fact the season for fisherman has not been at all good so far this year. Jorge saw some whales that day and so did Vicente. This fired me up for a paddle out to The Whale Zone and damned if I didn’t see a Humpback fluking up about ¼ mile from me. I tried for an intercept but saw no more blows so I just got in some heavy exercise.

"Perla" daughter of one of our village fisherman

I doubt I will be lucky enough to see any more whales for the year but who knows? That is one of the many things I love about being at Sea….you just never know what is going to greet you! The other day while setting the anchors I swam head on (not crashing) into a Sea Turtle and shortly after saw a Zebra Moray Eel. Then I heard Alan and Marilyn announce that there was a Spotted Eagle Ray under them….way cool. It just goes on!!!