As we prepare to leave the Caribbean to return to a very rainy Okanagan Valley via an apparently also rainy Toronto, here are a few favourite photos.
Happy Tuesday. I’ll soon be posting from home.
Retrospective
Tag Archives: birds
Hispaniolan Parakeet
I have never before seen a parakeet in the wild.
These are an amazing emerald green and blend so perfectly with the forests that they are almost indistinguishable.
They are presently under threat from people who trade in exotic birds and others who see them as pests. This pair (along with many others) are safe at the botanical garden outside Santo Domingo, however. They are very intelligent birds and are also incredible mimics.
Sunday Tropical Colours
Much is made of the peacock tail, but their backs are brilliant, too.
More gorgeous blue and green.
Orchid fronds.
Green and blue anyone?
Have a good Sunday.
More Birds
There are lots of peacocks, both mature and juvenile, about. This threesome was very patiently waiting for lunch.
Peacocks are incredibly large birds and I’m always a bit surprised at how fast they can move, both running and flying.
I was able to get somewhat better photos of the white herons in their “home trees.”
They are very busy birds, constantly moving, chatting and flying. The cacophony of sound from the two large trees they inhabit is intense.
I do like bird watching and viewing this flock of approximately 100 or so individuals is quite engaging and entertaining.
Happy Sunday.
White Herons
I tried to get lots of photos of these lovely birds that I initially thought might be egrets, but was somewhat unsuccessful. I later realised that they’re too small to be those elegant birds.
I wasn’t really able to zoom in on this huge flock enjoying their position near the ocean and clearly, each other’s company as they swooped and swirled together in knots of three and four.
They were lovely to see, however, and were so busy flying and socialising with each other although I couldn’t capture that due to their unpredictable movements and my position.
They were enjoying this water feature but were wary once I arrived. I hope to get some better photos of them later during our stay.
Happy Wednesday.
Holiday Scenes
A yearling peacock, learning to strut.
A monolithic cruise ship, passing the beach where I’ve parked myself. 😎
And, a lovely specimen from the orchid garden.
Happy Thursday.
Gulls on a Beach
I love how these gulls are all aligned and spaced at the water’s edge. Are they conscious of each other’s need for elbow room (wing room?) and privacy?
I don’t think so. Whatever it was that caused them to spread out like this, it was definitely pragmatic.
Happy Saturday.
Duck Attack!
I stopped at the ducks’ favourite spot to provide them with a nutritious treat: cooked quinoa. They loved it and me too as long as I was scattering it on the ground. I was expecting more loyalty but as it turns out they’re rather fickle!
I was quite mobbed and one duck grabbed my pant leg and hung on, definitely wanting me to single him out, but how he was going eat and hold on, I’m not sure.
I wasn’t too concerned about making sure everyone got some, although I did try to do that. These ducks are quite well fed: just as I was finishing up, someone else was arriving with a big bag of veggies cut into duck-sized bites.
These birds are definitely the town pets – make no wonder they stay year round!
Delighted Duckies
Someone stopped at the year-round duck community next to the creek to drop off some veggies and grain for them.
They were in duck dinner heaven. No scavenging for bugs tonight!
These ducks forage mostly on their own but people will supplement their diet with carrots, peas, cabbage, cooked pasta and quinoa, all of which are good nutritional choices for them. Feeding them bread or crackers really isn’t good for them as they apparently gain weight easily and this affects their ability to walk.
Happy Monday.
Time to Go?
The geese are definitely marshalling themselves and seem to be nearing their departure for warmer climes.
This group was occupying some docks at an empty marina. Quietly murmuring among themselves, they nevertheless seemed to be expectant and focussed.
How do they know when it’s the right time to wing south? My understanding is that they have an internal clock that measures daylight hours and signals to them when those hours become too short for comfort.
I hope they have a safe journey.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 