As you head south on Mexico Federal Highway 1, also known as the transpenninsular highway, you can see the huge Mexican flag, and the iron eagle, the stylized eagle structure, that marks the 28th parallel and the boundary between the states of Baja California, and Baja California Sur.  The iron eagle and the huge flag rise out of the desert like a huge phoenix, errrrr, a huge iron eagle.

Photo:  The iron eagle, and the huge Mexican flag can be seen for many miles.  This telephoto shot is looking south, about five miles north of the monument.  The road is Federal Highway 1, the transpenninsular highway.

The town of Guerro Negro is famous for three things:  1)  Seasonal whale watching in Scammon's Lagoon, 2)  The iron eagle monument, and 3)  Salt, and salt evaporating ponds.  Almost everybody stops to marvel at the iron eagle, but to get the best view, and the best place to park, you'll have to cross the state line into Baja California Sur, as a military base occupies the ground near the base of the monument, and unless you have business, or connections with the army, it's best to stay away.

Photo:  The eagle monument and the huge flag sit in a circle, in the middle of the highway.  The military base is in the trees, to the right of the photo.

I've heard many adjectives used to describe Baja's huge iron eagle, such as an eyesore, majestic (that takes the term "majestic" a bit too far I think,) a huge waste of metal, and massive.  Other adjectives can't be printed, at least on this web site.

Photo:  Note the tourists in the lower right hand corner of the photos.  The iron eagle is a popular stop for tourists. Mexican tourists are justifiably proud of the eagle monument.

When you cross into Baja California Sur, you have to undergo an inspection by state agricultural officials, pay a MEX $10.00 fee, and have the underside of your vehicle spayed.  The officials will ask you where you came from, where you're headed, and if you're carrying any fruits of vegetables.  If you have fruits or vegetables, they will inspect them, and depending upon current conditions, they may ask you to deposit some of them one of the nearby trash cans.  In my case, it wasn't an issue, as I was only carrying canned food, as I do most of my eating in restaurants.

Photo:  You're not supposed to take photos of Mexican soldiers, but this private's back was toward me, as he was obviously engaged in more important duties.

Photo:  This is a side shot of the monument, taken from the east of it.  The smudge on the photo is a raindrop that just fell.

Baja California Sur is very agricultural, particularly in the south-central region of the state, and they are very sensitive about importing agricultural pests, as a huge  portion of the state's economy depends on agriculture. Agricultural inspections are quite familiar, as the State of California has had them for years... up until 9/11, it was harder to enter California than it was to enter the U.S.A.!

Photo:  You have just entered the state of Baja California Sur, and not the agricultural inspection awaits you.  The sign to the right of the photo welcomes the traveler to the southern state.

To get to the town of Guerro Negro proper, drive about a half mile south of the monument, and take well-signed road west into the town; you'll drive through the town along Bvd. Zapata, the main street in town.  

There's nothing else in the world like Baja's iron eagle, so take the time to enjoy it!

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