Peninsula Valdes

Today we continued the exploration of nature on Peninsula Valdes. You have to know about that stratch of land that it is a private property. Its size is about 3,625 km²We made only a smaller round, still had to drive 240km.
I´m quite tired and drunk tonight, therefore please just let me cite wikipedia and look at my latest photos...

"Most of the peninsula is barren land with some salt lakes. The largest of these lakes is at an elevation of about 40 m below sea level, until recently thought to be the lowest elevation in Argentina and South America. (The lowest point being Laguna del Carbón, Argentina).

It is an important nature reserve which was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals, like sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Southern right whales can be found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, protected bodies of water located between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland. These baleen whales come here between May and December, for mating and giving birth, because the water in the gulf is quieter and warmer than in the open sea. Orcas can be found off the coast, in the open sea off the peninsula. In this area, they are known to beach themselves on shore to capture sea lions and elephant seals.

The inner part of the peninsula is inhabited by rheas, guanacos and maras. A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 bird species, 66 of which migratory, live in the area, including the Antarctic Pigeon"

We were quite lucky and saw some interesting animals cited above. Maybe the most exciting was to touch a real Tatu and hear/see the whales.Look at me like G. Durell on the National Geographic channel.

Származási hely: Peninsula Valdes

It seems big, because it is big. This is only the head of it. The southern right whale males are up to 30tons heavy.

Származási hely: Peninsula Valdes

We finished the exhausting day in the local pub, drinking Gancia.

Származási hely: Peninsula Valdes

Some more pics;

http://picasaweb.google.de/szaipandras/PeninsulaValdes##


In the next two days we face 1800km pure driving to get back to Ushuaia....