Monday, January 02, 2012
Cabo Amazing
Description
Five minutes from downtown San Jose is a peaceful area filled with 200 species of exotic birds such as egrets, herons and brown pelicans. Sunrise and sunset are the most scenic times to visit; however, if your focus is on bird identification, you may want to visit during the more daylight-filled hours. There is a cultural center to answer questions. Admission is free.
San Jose Estuary - Estero San JoseFive minutes from downtown San Jose is a peaceful area filled with 200 species of exotic birds such as egrets, herons and brown pelicans. Sunrise and sunset are the most scenic times to visit; however, if your focus is on bird identification, you may want to visit during the more daylight-filled hours. There is a cultural center to answer questions. Admission is free.
by Bob Chamlee
In the heart of San Jose del Cabo, you'll find Estero San Jose, a tropical estuary that is a great spot for bird watching, kayaking or simply wandering along the paths and enjoying the natural beauty of Los Cabos.
Estero San Jose is located where the fresh waters of Rio San Jose meet the salt waters of the sea and consists of about 125 acres of estuary that plays an important role in the history and environment of San Jose. As one of the only sure water sources in southern Baja, many bird and animal species depend on the estuary for freshwater. Over 250 species of birds are frequent visitors here.
Many types of waterfowl winter here, as do many other shorebird and wading bird species. Herons, egrets, two species of cormorant, pelicans, gulls, frigate birds, Turkey vultures, Caracara and Osprey are among the year round residents, and the estuary provides a good stopover point for other migrating birds as well. The plentiful water of the estuary has also attracted humans. Pericu Indians were well established in the area when Spanish missionaries founded Mission San Jose in 1730. Centuries before, pirate ships sailed into the lagoon to lay in wait for the Spanish galleons returning from the Philippines with a treasure in pearls and gold.
The estuary is ringed by tall Tlaco palms (Erythea brandegeei), a species that is endemic to this and a few other wetlands of southern Baja and over millions of years has adapted to withstanding the occasional flood conditions. At the upper end of the lagoon, the water is fresh and plants in this area include Sedges, young Tlaco palms, Willows (Salix taxifolia), Cattails (Typha domingensis), Ragweed (Ambrosia bryantii), and other riparian species. On the shores of the lagoon, ''halophytes'', or plants that can tolerate salinity, dominate the lower end near the beach. Here and across the inter-tidal flats grow Mangle Dulce (Maytenus phyllanthoides), Sea Grape (Ipomoea pes-caprae), Spike Grass (Distichlis spicata), Pickleweed (Salicornia subterminalis), and Alkali Heath (Frankenia palmeri).
The juvenile or larval stages of many fish and other sea dwellers take place in the estuary, where the nutrient rich waters provide food until adulthood when they leave the protected waters for the open ocean. Some of the animals found in the estuary, such as fish, crabs, and wading shorebirds consume the microorganisms that are attached to the Eelgrass blades. Others, including Sally Lightfoot crabs (Grapsus grapsus), Hermit crabs (Coenobita compressus), snails, ducks, geese, and sea turtles, eat the new growth at the blade tips. Many types of waterfowl also feast on the small fruit or seeds. Most of the waste generated by all this eating ends up in the estuary again as detritus and the cycle continues.
The estuary is ringed by tall Tlaco palms (Erythea brandegeei), a species that is endemic to this and a few other wetlands of southern Baja and over millions of years has adapted to withstanding the occasional flood conditions. At the upper end of the lagoon, the water is fresh and plants in this area include Sedges, young Tlaco palms, Willows (Salix taxifolia), Cattails (Typha domingensis), Ragweed (Ambrosia bryantii), and other riparian species. On the shores of the lagoon, ''halophytes'', or plants that can tolerate salinity, dominate the lower end near the beach. Here and across the inter-tidal flats grow Mangle Dulce (Maytenus phyllanthoides), Sea Grape (Ipomoea pes-caprae), Spike Grass (Distichlis spicata), Pickleweed (Salicornia subterminalis), and Alkali Heath (Frankenia palmeri).The juvenile or larval stages of many fish and other sea dwellers take place in the estuary, where the nutrient rich waters provide food until adulthood when they leave the protected waters for the open ocean. Some of the animals found in the estuary, such as fish, crabs, and wading shorebirds consume the microorganisms that are attached to the Eelgrass blades. Others, including Sally Lightfoot crabs (Grapsus grapsus), Hermit crabs (Coenobita compressus), snails, ducks, geese, and sea turtles, eat the new growth at the blade tips. Many types of waterfowl also feast on the small fruit or seeds. Most of the waste generated by all this eating ends up in the estuary again as detritus and the cycle continues.
The estuary at San Jose del Cabo is an ever changing environment. Water levels rise and fall with the season and the tide and salinity levels change. The Rio San Jose no longer flows like it did in the days of pirate ships. The demands of man and agriculture have since lowered the water table and today the lagoon waters only break the sand dam of the beach during the highest of tides and seasonal floodwaters of late summer.
Most years, the estuary and salt marsh serve to brunt the floodwaters, with relatively little estuary life being washed out to sea. But once in a while, one of the hurricanes that develop in the warm Pacific near the mainland comes ashore, bringing torrential downpours, local flooding, and enough water floods down the Rio San Jose to wash much of the plant and small aquatic life out to the ocean.
Even much of the mud that makes up the bottom of the lagoon is flushed down and out, taking with it many of the mud dwellers that are such a vital part of the estuarine community. The upper parts of the estuary may be bare mud for weeks after heavy storms, but the disturbed community will eventually rebuild itself. The tough weedy species that inhabit this area have adapted to the rapid changes, many have small seeds that are widely dispersed and germinate rapidly. Within a few months, these fast growing plants will be re-established along the banks of the freshwater upper lagoon and the estuary will be fully reestablished within a few years.
The biggest problem facing Estero San Jose today is that it is slowly being choked by the sedimentation of muds. The diminished flow of the Rio San Jose is no longer enough to push them out into the ocean. The Mangrove community, a vital nursery to many types of sea life is almost completely gone from the estuary. As the muds fill the estuary and it becomes smaller, the city of San Jose del Cabo increases in size. Visitors to San Jose del Cabo can enjoy bird-watching at the estuary or can take eco-tours of the lagoon by footpath. Hopefully, with increased interest and awareness in the estuary, this rich and fragile community will be preserved.
The biggest problem facing Estero San Jose today is that it is slowly being choked by the sedimentation of muds. The diminished flow of the Rio San Jose is no longer enough to push them out into the ocean. The Mangrove community, a vital nursery to many types of sea life is almost completely gone from the estuary. As the muds fill the estuary and it becomes smaller, the city of San Jose del Cabo increases in size. Visitors to San Jose del Cabo can enjoy bird-watching at the estuary or can take eco-tours of the lagoon by footpath. Hopefully, with increased interest and awareness in the estuary, this rich and fragile community will be preserved.
Map By: http://www.worldtwitch.com
Reviews from Trip Advisor:
"Very peaceful and beautiful. It took about 20 minutes to walk from Cabo Azul into town."
"The San Jose Estuary has always been a favorite of local and visiting people, but this year we were so happy to see how it has been cleaned up! The walkways have been cleared so that you can enjoy the serene beauty of this natural habitat and can have a better view of the water fowl and other birds. Last week we had a special treat: We heard the lovely loud chirping sound, looked up and there was a large osprey sitting way up on top of a palm tree. At first we thought it might be an eagle but because there is a guide book on the premises, we were able to better identifying the lovely bird. What a treat for lovely morning walk.Visited November 2011"
"nice paths, plenty of birds... has been cleaned up alot in last couple months...."
"Walked from the hotel along the beach and saw the most beautiful birds. It was easy to get to and not a far walking distance from the Barcelo Palace Deluxe. great place to go to"
Photography By: Cabo Amazing.
Posted in: Places to Visit
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