Thursday 14 March 2013

Haitian Birds - Part II

What is described as a 'day birding' here barely resembles the same thing back in England. After a hearty 6 'o' clock breakfast it is a wander around the extensive garden, where this morning first to show was this fine 
male ANTILLEAN MANGO,
later accompanied by a juvenile,
followed by a search of the nearby bushes and agricultural land, then hot-foot to the forest. By 09:00 the heat is so oppressive all you want to do is return home for a coffee and a sit next to a cooling fan and maybe a dip in the pool. At 16:00 the same course is followed, with darkness preventing any further observing after 18:00, so back for more of that delicious Kreole food!
DRAGONFLY
NORTHERN PARULA
FOREST CRICKET
and by the looks of it a
Ménage à Trois
best get it in before Christmas boys and girls!
the 'Island endemic'
HISPANIOLAN LIZARD CUCKOO
Yet another LIZARD
This relatively small area is 'alive' with another
'Island endemic' HISPANIOLAN WOODPECKER
probably a dozen pairs occupying the zone?
BUTTERFLY
rather like an overgrown Clouded Yellow.
another DRAGONFLY
 
MOURNING DOVE

'Skipper'-like BUTTERFLY
then another 'Yank Warbler' - received with thanks.
male PRAIRIE WARBLER
which are numerous and so the aim will be for some better shots.
A spectacular 'metallic' MOTH which the
photograph just doesn't do justice!
CATTLE EGRET
followed by a period of 'extreme swooning'!
Wouldn't have minded this at eye-level.
Bloody 'Ell
BLACK-and-WHITE WARBLER
what a way to end the day!