Videos from Loreto

While we were in Loreto or on the road home, I posted a few short videos on Facebook and Instagram. I've now done one more and am posting them all here in one spot for my future reference. All of these are very short, from just a few seconds to a minute. I recommend watching full screen and in HD for best viewing.

On our very first day of scuba diving, not more than five minutes from the marina, we came upon a pod of dolphins. We weren't around them for long and, between that and a bumpy ride, this was the best 6 seconds of video I got! 

We also saw several mobile rays jumping out of the water but they are so fleeting (and usually so far away) that I didn't get any video. 

We went to the sea lion dive site on Coronado Island on the first day but since we hadn't dived in so long (more than two years!) neither of us took underwater cameras so we could concentrate on just diving and getting used to things again. 

Thankfully, we went back a couple days later and the sea lions were quite cooperative! 

I had this idea for a "selfie" as I was entering the water. I call this video "Splash!" It wasn't until after our last dive of the trip that I thought I should have got some of Andrew going over the side so people not familiar with diving could actually see what is happening and how we get into the water. Ah well. Next time! 

The fish seemed to be plentiful this trip. We wondered if it was because there was no fishing for about six months during the height of Covid. Or maybe I'm just not remembering what it was like before. Either way, we were pleasantly surprised! 

One day on our way to Danzante Island, which is one of the furthest ones away, we encountered two Bryde's whales (a momma and baby). They were very playful and hung around our boat for about half an hour before we moved on. We were quite happy to give up some dive time for this as it's a very rare experience. Even our guides and boat captain were excited! (Video by me, photos by Andrew.) 

We always enjoy watching the pelicans and other birds around the marina diving for fish. However, they're almost impossible to catch on video or photo. Here are just a few of my many failed attempts and the one successful one. 

And the last one . . . a compilation of a few other underwater creatures I managed to get somewhat decently on video. 

Villas del Santa Niño

Since discovering Villas del Santa Niño, we always stay here when we're in Loreto. It's owned by a lovely local woman, Oralia, who keeps the suites and premises clean and appealing. Additions and improvements are always being made. Since we were last here, a second level has been added to the street-front building and finishing touches are being put on a new swimming pool as I type this. 

Being along a pedestrian street, it's fairly quiet even with the busy malecon a block away and the town square a half block in the other direction. It's easy walking distance to everything we need - grocery store, restaurants, coffee shops and the dive shop. 

Some of the suites are studio, others are 1 or 2 bedroom. All have a kitchen area with a small fridge, stovetop, and all the dishes, pots, etc. that you need. 

We would highly recommend!! 

The "front" building along the pedestrian street.

The back of the "front" building. 

The original building at the back which has a 2-bedroom suite and a 1-bedroom suite.

The end of the "front" building, with stairs leading up to second floor.

The yard area with house and office at the back of the property.

One of the shaded outdoor seating areas and laundry room.

The new swimming pool with hot tub at the far end.

The eagle rays inlaid with tile into the bottom of the pool is a beautiful feature.

Around Loreto

Many random photos around Loreto . . . mostly at sunset and sunrise because the rest of the days are so hot! 

Fishing under a full moon

This arch at the end of the pedestrian street is new since we were here last.

A garbage can with attitude

There is almost always a seagull sitting on the nose of this sea lion statue.
Hence, all the bird poop. 

Doesn't take much of a workout to get sweaty here!

Seems like good advice to me!

Historic Mission Loreto

Dos copas vino tinto, por favor.

At colourful Mi Loreto restaurant

Vegetarian enchiladas with mole sauce and chili relleno with plantains. So good! 

Whale statue near the marina.

Every night is cruise night on the malecón! 

It was festival week for the founding of Loreto so these lighted lanterns
were all along the pedestrian street.

From the restaurant inside the Hotel La Misión.

Delicious smoothie and smoothie bowl at a new little food kiosk we found.

Through the construction zone to get closer to the birds for photos!

Off to work early.

Some beautiful murals.

Birds of Loreto

There are so many birds around Loreto. Some are easier than others to get photos of! 

The brown pelicans are so fun to watch as they dive bomb into the water to catch fish. But trying to get video of them is an almost impossible task. I'm usually either too fast or too slow with the camera following them down as they hit the water, or they dive on the opposite side of the dock from where I am. But!!! On our last day in Loreto, we had some time to wander and I think I got finally got a good video of it! We'll see. In the meantime . . . 

The local gathering spot

Snowy egret (differentiated from the great egret by its yellow feet)

Great Egret

Cormorant

Not the greatest photo but it shows off some fishing skills.

Green heron (see Andrew's post - link below - for much better photo)

Blue footed booby

A pretty house finch

This heron was in the same spot each morning that we got out for an early morning run.

Also a couple herons around the marina on our last morning there.

Sea gulls everywhere! 

See Andrew's Loreto Birds post. Much better photos and more types of birds!