Cactus Courier
Newsletter of the Cactus and Succulent Society of San Jose



Ted Kipping - Island Hopping In The Sea Of Cortez - the Gulf Of Baja California


An avid plant and wildlife enthusiast and a Certified Arborist, Ted Kipping studied Natural History at Columbia University, New York and worked at Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park before starting his own "Tree Shaper" business. He is constantly expanding his knowledge of rare plants and ecosystems by exploring unique locales with his camera.

The Gulf of Baja California is often called the Sea Of Cortez or, more poetically, the Vermillion Sea, for its vivid desert sunsets. It is a deep water branch of the ocean and home of Blue Whales, the largest creature on the planet with a backbone, and the Whale Shark, largest fish on the planet. In addition, there are many islands which have been cut off from each other and the mainland, since the sea rose at the end of the last Ice Age. Thousands of years of isolation have allowed the creatures living on these islands to differentiate genetically resulting in many island endemics. These islands are thus sometimes called the "Galapagos of the North." Come join us as we visit a series of the southernmost ones - a visual feast!



Cactus:         Open • Advanced • Novice  
Ferocactus or Mammilaria
 
Succulents:         Open • Advanced • Novice  
Dudleya of Baja
 
Something Special:         Open • Advanced • Novice  
New Acquisitions (or your choice)
 
Beginners' Luck:         Novice Only  
What's in Bloom?
 







The Cactus Courier is the newsletter of the Cactus and Succulent Society of San Jose (CSSSJ). The members of the CSSSJ freely contribute the materials published herein. The accuracy of information and opinions expressed are those of the contributors. Scannable hardcopy and Windows format text files sent via email or on CD or DVD are acceptable as input. Send newsletter articles to Rich Kroll at: csssj@ckart.com



To contact our club president, Loyd Monaco, send an email to loyd.monaco@yahoo.com.