Mexican adults often think we bird-watchers are odd, but once we explain our interest and share our understanding of birds with them, they begin to understand our passion. For some, it has changed their perspective enough to prompt them to become bird guides themselves. We always take extra binoculars on our trips to share with local children and adults who have an interest in their environment.

Having visited numerous and diverse regions of Mexico with Audubon in the past year, we’ve hiked the lake area of Patzcuaro, viewing the unique birds of that region, visited botanical and water gardens in the State of Mexico, explored the beach lagoons and ocean waters of Oaxaca and Guerrero, hiked the Rosario Reserve trail into a magical world of swirling monarchs, and discovered the festivals, markets, cuisine, and archeological wonders of each region.

In the Sierra Gorda, a biosphere in the state of Queretaro, we drove up a one lane dirt road to a mountain ridge for a hike. As we walked with our local guide to a viewpoint that displayed ridge after ridge of green forests, we could feel the thermals rising along the bluff beside us. We had lunch in the tiny village of Cuatro Palos. Gorditas filled with nopales, cheeses, and chicken from local farms were prepared for us on an open wood-fire stove by the women who live in that remote village. This experience was coordinated with El Centro de la Tierra, the organization that manages and protects the Sierra Gorda Biosphere in Queretaro, one of the local resources with whom Audubon coordinates its trips.

On a trip to Puerto Escondido, we took a small boat out into a vast lagoon at dusk. The sky was filled with stars, fireflies flew about us, and a seasonal bioluminescence in the water awoke our sense of wonder in this sparkling nocturnal world. The next morning we boated six miles offshore to see pelagic birdlife and were visited by hundreds of dolphins. Three different species swam to us, but the spinner dolphins were the happiest to have our attention. They stayed with us for more than an hour, spinning, leaping, and showing off. Our expert guides were impressed as well, and happy to stay for the display put on by the dolphin pod.

How fortunate we are to be traveling in Mexico, a rich and diverse country that offers striking and unique natural beauty, abundant wildlife, remarkable historical and archeological sites, traditional festivals, and warm, welcoming people. The Audubon Society of Mexico offers trips that combine nature, culture, and the history of this captivating land, usually on roads less traveled. The next time you see an Audubon trip that looks interesting to you, think about joining us for an adventure and an education.

Audubon works with Rodrigo Lopez Valdes, owner and operator of Travelian Eco-Tours who helps us design and achieve our trips. We would not be able to accomplish our ecologically-based travel goals without his vision and dedication.

Feel free to contact Rodrigo Lopez Valdez at rodrigo@travelian.com.mx or Colleen Besman at viajesconaudubon@gmail.com if you have an interest in any of our trips.