In the morning over breakfast we learned that Norman had been able to procure another vehicle from the University, but it was only an extended cab Fort Ranger. So Norman also volunteered his personal car and we were back on the road, but split up into two vehicles. It was determined that the best course of action would be to continue to the lake for sampling that we were supposed to hit yesterday afternoon and then continue on to Morelia and the Aqualab. This would put us back on schedule, but would mean that we would miss both sites originally intended for the day, as well as increase our driving time drastically. We finally got both vehicles and left Cuernavaca around 11:00.
Our new ride - me and Pat. Photo by Ben.
We went high into the mountains to Lagunas de Zempoala National Park to check out a lake that has a very interesting population of Darkedge Splitfins (Girardinichthys multiradiatus).
One of the lakes in the National Park.
It was fed by a nice little mountain stream.
Ben crossing the makeshift bridge.
Aside from the splitfin population, the only other fish in this lake was introduced Rainbow Trout. A couple were caught in the stream by shocking, but they were only about 5 inches long. Ben and I poked around for fish while the other guys started netting in the weeds. They caught a few in the nets and Ben found a bunch along the shore of the lake. I attempted to hook one for like an hour but they were very spooky and tiny fish. Ben finally landed one near the end of our visit and it was the only fish caught this day.
I am from Florida, so this is the highest elevation I have ever fished.
After leaving the lake we stopped at a roadside vendor and had some of the most interesting tacos ever. From top to bottom, left to right: Pumpkin, Chorizo, Chicharrón, Blood Sausage, Corn Fungus, Chicken, Beef.
Afterwards we drove over four hours to make it to Morelia Aqualab by nightfall. The Aqualab runs a goodied breeding facility and is currently working on a project to reintroduce the extinct in the wild species Tequila Splitfin (Zoogoneticus tequila). The keep most of the species of goodieds and the facility was very impressive.
Goodieds at the Morelia Aqualab
Goodied at the Morelia Aqualab
Kurt using a photo tank at the Aqualab
We also got to examine the facilities specimen collection.
Finally, after checking into our hotel late at night, we had dinner across the street from the cathedral.
Tomorrow we were going to be back on the road towards Guadalajara with more chances to fish.
