This morning we got going earlier than normal (for us) and fought a stiff breeze to bike up north to Grand Belizean Estates for some birding. Barry had such good luck seeing so many birds last Sunday while I was sick that I was hoping for a repeat performance, but for some reason, the birds were not quite as plentiful this week. Perhaps it was simply too breezy for them to be out and about. We had to be patient and look harder than usual, but we did end up seeing a couple different types of herons, several egrets, cormorants, plovers, a Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeers, Common Black-Hawks, Tropical Kingbirds, mockingbirds, grackles, and a couple of ducks (possibly American Coots, but too far away to identify). Most interesting was a pair of parrots that chattered loudly as they flew overhead, then into the dense roadside foliage, allowing us only a quick glimpse of their green backs, so no hope of making an identification this time. Perhaps we will get a chance to see them again one day. Just outside GBE, Barry spotted this small fellow, which we later identified as a White-Collared Seedeater, on a weedy shrub by the sandy road. A new bird for our life lists! On our way back, we stopped at Aji for a delicious Mediterranean omelet breakfast. Chef Hugo served us himself, and we had a delightful breeze through the trees in this perfect tropical setting. We could make a habit of this, and may! I've been noticing the large leaves on these trees turning color here and there and find it very interesting. I always assumed no leaves turned in the tropics, but apparently there are exceptions. I don't know what tree this is -- perhaps a reader can enlighten me? As we got back to Chico Caribe, we noticed this medley of herons amidst the copious seagrass that has floated towards shore this morning. Unfortunately, it is filled with plastic trash -- the scourge of Belize. Belize is a study in contrasts -- the beautiful right alongside the ugly.
5 Comments
Denise
1/8/2012 06:02:36 am
Hi Emily
Reply
BeBelize Emily
1/8/2012 07:53:56 am
Hi Denise - Glad you're enjoying the blog. The photo of the tree was taken at Aji, but there are also a bunch of them beside Grand Caribe along the little path to the Lazy Croc (closed...sniff). There may well be some at White Sands also, but this is where I've noticed them closer to home. I didn't see any noni fruits on these trees earlier in the season, but I could've missed 'em.
Reply
Denise
1/9/2012 05:06:27 am
The locals usually pluck the noni fruit from the trees as soon as they ripen. If you do see some, be warned, when they get ripe they smell awful and the stench lingers.
BeBelize Emily
1/9/2012 11:13:58 am
Thanks aj! And Denise, thanks for the warning. I saw some noni fruit at the fruit market, but it didn't smell -- perhaps it wasn't ripe yet? It was white.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
UPDATE!
|