 | |  | |  | |  |
Nature Tripping the Carribean: 2010
We've wanted to visit and bird Trinidad ever since some non-birder friend's told us about
the wonderful time they had at Asa Wright in the 1980's. When we found out our friend's
were on a teaching assignment at the University of the West Indies this year we jumped
at the opportunity to join up with them....it was better than we even imagined!
First stop: PAX Guest House, the longest
running guest house in Trinidad and a
great introduction to the Birds of Trinidad.
running guest house in Trinidad and a
great introduction to the Birds of Trinidad.
| Hope you enjoyed this Nature Trip photojournal Until we meet again, Happy Trails!! |
Yes, Tropical birds ARE much more colorful!
Tanagers and Honey Creepers with our
breakfast, please.
Tanagers and Honey Creepers with our
breakfast, please.
Silver-beaked Tanager
Blue-grey Tanager
Red-crowned Ant Tanager
Purple Honeyeater (male)
The appetizers were lovely, now on to first
course: the Asa Wright Nature Centre
The bird viewing from the veranda is legendary!
Spotted an Ornate Hawk-eagle the second day -
too far for a photo though
course: the Asa Wright Nature Centre
The bird viewing from the veranda is legendary!
Spotted an Ornate Hawk-eagle the second day -
too far for a photo though
Green Honeyeater (male)
Green Honeyeater (female)
Crested Oropendola & nests ^
Palm Tanager
Flycatchers? Oh yeah, they got 'em!
Great Kiskadee
Great Kiskadee
Tropical Kingbird
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
"Tropical" House Wren
Look a lil more familiar?
Tropical Mockingbird
Tropical Mockingbird
Deeper in the jungle.........Collared Trogon
And Manakins...so cool...
Golden-headed Manakin
White-bearded Manakin
Golden-headed Manakin
White-bearded Manakin
On the last of our three days at Asa Wright as we were leaving
the Oilbird colony there was a mid-day down pour. The activity
cranked up several notches as the skies cleared & wings dried
the Oilbird colony there was a mid-day down pour. The activity
cranked up several notches as the skies cleared & wings dried
Surprisingly common....
Blue-crowned Motmot
Blue-crowned Motmot
male White-lined Tanager
female
female
Southern Rough-winged Swallow
There were tons of gorgeous butterflies
(~800 species) and herps but the nearly
4 foot long Tagu (Tiger) Lizard
commanded attention - one of the guide
showed us teeth marks on his boot!
(~800 species) and herps but the nearly
4 foot long Tagu (Tiger) Lizard
commanded attention - one of the guide
showed us teeth marks on his boot!
Agouti
The Violaceous Euphonia - what a great name! A pair were building a nest right in front of
the main lodge
the main lodge
White-necked Jacobin (male)
After the storm - a termite hatch helped us
see some skulkers
see some skulkers
Greater Antshrike: Female (above), Male (below)
Cocoa Thrush
Plain Woodcreeper
Bare-eyed Thrush
One of the more exotic birds we've seen:
the Tufted Coquette (female inset right)
the Tufted Coquette (female inset right)
After Asa Wright: Brent & Rose had excellent
birding right in their backyard in St. Joseph's
birding right in their backyard in St. Joseph's
This Rufous-breasted Hermit was too busy to
photograph well; we observed a Green Hermit
too, huge at 17cm, but it was even busier
photograph well; we observed a Green Hermit
too, huge at 17cm, but it was even busier
17 species of Hummingbirds - all very showy
This Bay-headed Tanager popped out
for a single portrait
for a single portrait
Copper-rumped Hummingbird
White-chested Emerald
Blue-chinned Sapphire
Black-throated Mango, male (L), female (R)
Yellow Oriole
Copper-rumped Hummingbird
Long-billed Starthroat
On our last day on Trinidad,
we had the great fortune to
go to the Caroni Swamp
famous as the home of
Trinidad's National Bird, the
fabulous Scarlet Ibis.
In typical rule defying Trini
fashion, Brent, Rose and
Noreen
Our first rate guides were
Madoo's Bird Tours where
we joined a group of
students on a church outing.
They all seemed a bit
anxious about the snakes
hanging just over the boat.
we had the great fortune to
go to the Caroni Swamp
famous as the home of
Trinidad's National Bird, the
fabulous Scarlet Ibis.
In typical rule defying Trini
fashion, Brent, Rose and
Noreen
Our first rate guides were
Madoo's Bird Tours where
we joined a group of
students on a church outing.
They all seemed a bit
anxious about the snakes
hanging just over the boat.
White-necked Jacobin
(female)
(female)
^ Southern Lapwing - A day trip to Aripo Savannah agriculture district - Smooth-billed Ani ^
Pied Water Tyrant (building nest) Red-breasted Blackbird (female)
Pied Water Tyrant (building nest) Red-breasted Blackbird (female)
Savannah Hawk
Wattled Jacana: Adult (above) , Juvenile (below)
Green-rumped
Parrotlet
Parrotlet
After we arrived
at the Ibis night
roosting location
more and more of
these brilliant
birds arrived.
As evening came,
their scarletness
popping off the
lush, green
wetland canvas.
at the Ibis night
roosting location
more and more of
these brilliant
birds arrived.
As evening came,
their scarletness
popping off the
lush, green
wetland canvas.
| The uncommon Common Potoo |
| Tiny denizens of the mangrove swamps: Bicoloured Conebills |
| An introduced, but lovely Masked Cardinal |