I Am the Owl - Dead Kennedys

The day had hardly begun before some were taking

to the sea and the sky.

and while those in England and the Eastern Seaboard of the USA
might not wish to hear this,
"believe you me it's tough

but somebodies got to do it!"

Checking the San Juan map, it seemed the most likely place close at hand to see any wildlife would (once again) be the BOTANICAL GARDEN. 25 'bucks' each way in the taxi, I met the Security Officer's dog, while checking out the squawking of Parrots, long before I met man himself. When he showed up he greeted me with a warm shake of the hand and welcomed me to his 'part of ship'. As already stated I have found Puerto Rico one of the most friendly and welcoming places on earth and today was to be no exception.

I am a Little Red Rooster, too lazy to crow in the day.

David my cabbie tells me this sorry looking bird is likely a losing finalist from one of the many Cock Fighting Stadia here abouts. He went on the say that there are, at the moment, no fewer than 78 of these establishments on the Island which generate $10 Million annually for government coffers.

 Apart from the afore mentioned Parrots

 the first 'wild bird' seen was this

 

 SCALY-NAPED PIGEON.

The next wasn't quite so pretty

 

Am I really that ugly Mummy?

 No you're not, but just make sure the mirror is covered just in case!

RED-LEGGED THRUSH

juvenile and adult.

 juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

 One of a million beautiful blooms.

 It's been quiet a while since we have seen

GREAT (WHITE) EGRET

 

 and even longer since seeing one so close!

 The mandatory LIZARD

 and BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL.

 Something a little more familiar

COMMON MOORHEN

That's when the Security Officer I had met earlier turned up and stopped right alongside me. Gordon Bennett, had I forgotten to pay my entrance fee, had I been walking on the grass - what could it be.

He jumped from the 4x4 repeating over and over again, "Pronto, get in, Puerto Rican Cuckoo Bird, Puerto Rican Cuckoo Bird". Directing what little traffic there was in the opposite direction we took off at high speed, during which time I was thinking if indeed this was a Cuckoo what chance of it being there still, as we squealed to a halt at another 'check point' at the other side of the gardens. There he raced round to open my door and dragged me from the Jeep and in the direction of an eight foot high chain link fence. Very excitedly he pulled me close and started pointing into the bush, but as usual it took a while for me to lock on to the target! Finally, I got on to the bird and 'disappointingly', immediately realised it wasn't a Cuckoo at all, in fact nothing like a Cuckoo. No it was only the

 Island's 'endemic'

 PUERTO RICAN SCREECH-OWL

Stood there a little bewildered and thinking to myself, "for WHO's sake Paul", my new found amigo left to continue his day's toil - and hopefully find me another bird? The fact was it was difficult to pull myself away from that spot, just as well as soon there came the distinctive sound of mandible against tree trunk. Having taken some time to study the 'PR bird list with particular note to the endemics' it was clear that apart from very rare/accidental sightings of Hairy and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker there is only 'one' Woodpecker to be found on the Island. The drumming got louder as the patience paid off with a 10 second view of PUERTO RICAN WOODPECKER on the tree and a little longer in flight after which, despite a long search, it was never seen or heard again. The 'hat-trick' was on and so very nearly achieved as next up were these

'truly wild'

MUSCOVY DUCKs.

Already on the World List, from much further south, it was obvious they were wild as they wouldn't approach closer than a foot to retrieve the bread thrown to them.

Another strange SEED CASE (or is it an Insect Nest? - there were several hanging from this tree) either way it's rather akin to Peter Gabriel's head-dress during early stage renditions of 'I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)'.

GREY KINGBIRD

 

 The 'Terror of the Pins'

and before leaving I just had to have another look at the Owl 

before heading back to the hotel.

 

America (West Side Story) - The Sharks (in oppose toThe Jets)

BERNARDO (George Chakiris)
Everywhere grime in America, Organized crime in America
Terrible time in America
ANITA (Rita Moreno)
You forget I'm in America
BERNARDO
I think I'll go back to San Juan
ANITA
I know what boat you can get on - Good-bye, Ta-ta
BERNARDO
Everyone there will give big cheers
ANITA
Everyone there will have moved here

There is something of a conundrum here on Puerto Rico, as to whether its people consider the Island a country, in its own right, or simply an extension of the United States of America. Whichever, I cannot remember a warmer welcome anywhere on earth as first meeting the Immigration Officer at the Airport and posing the question, receiving the reply "we are 'part of' the USA but not 'connected to' the USA". No wiser I then approached the Customs Official who greeted me at 10 yards with a jaunty "welcome Captain"! With no reference to the word Captain on any of my documentation I was intrigued to know why he had welcomed me in such a way. "The sea is in your eyes" he replied as we continued the chat for a full 15 minutes thereafter. Next was the Flights Ticketing Office where again I was engaged in conversation about anything and everything apart from 'airline tickets' and so onward to Tourist Information. The two lovely ladies there quickly had me accommodated, supplied with maps etc, phoned the local 'bird guide' and advised on transportation. So impressed, I popped down the concourse for 3 x Cinnamon Buns!

The answer to the original question points to the official title of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which is not recognised by the United Nations as an 'official country' but independence or statehood (of the USA) are in abeyance and regularly discussed. My own stance is that it has its own Government, flag is a 'tick' and so joins my Country List until such times as the US show full conviction and make it the 51st State or, preferably, not - TICK 140.

 

 Arriving at the Hotel La Playita this was the view to the West,

and to the East with ever clearing skies.

To be honest, my first thoughts were that I had landed in the worst place possible a seaside resort like Weymouth on August Bank Holiday weekend, but that feeling was about to change. As I walked in the Rolling Stones were bashing out 'Brown Sugar' closely followed by Floyds - 'Time' and Zep's - 'Tea For One', now who would want to leave that.

 Settled in, there followed a wander to Walgreen's

for supplies and astonishment at this establishment which is a thriving

Cock Fighting Venue!

 
RED-LEGGED THRUSH were in just about every garden,

 
BANANAQUIT were in every garden
 
 with a pair even nesting in the patio Restaurant awning.
All of these were well outnumbered by 3 species of Dove.

 
 ZENAIDA DOVE

 
 including attendant juveniles along with

 WHITE-WINGED DOVE
and Common Ground Dove
Oh Lord above send down a Dove
with wings as sharp a razors.
To cut the throats of them there blokes
as sells bad beer to Sailors.

 Now there's a familiar face, but this was the best we could do.
None seemed to want to break cover.

Taking a short cut along the beach there were a number of
GREEN IGUANA to be seen

including this Giant

 and a youngster.

 For my next trick (after walking on water) may I suggest
'casting your nets on the other side'.

 
 Lots of GREATER ANTILLEAN GRACKLE
 

 and CRABs.

 Back at the hotel, this is all I had to look forward to.

 Oh, and the air conditioned outside bar, and the music, and
with current weather conditions in England,
I doubt you want to hear much more?
You'll notice on the back bulkhead a number of intriguing signs
many of which seemed to be influenced by THE BEATLES.

 It'll be nice for someone else to share the burden.

John Winston Lennon 1940 - 1980
Wot, and waste al that AMMO?

 Try to see it my way do I have to keep on talking 'til I can't go on?

 But I don't care 2 much for money!

 Unless they are of the treacherous kind.
Do you read me JUDAS - best send for the Police!

Having successfully managed this for more than 6 decades,

 to change now would be far too much of a culture shock!

 It might be one of my Old Ships, still firmly fast on the reef!

 Talking of which.

 Will have to consult Gene Kelly on this one.

 Now there's a feeling I know well.

 Wouldn't think of traveling without any one of these aids.

 Maybe you are, WATCH THIS SPACE!

 No good to me, my mouth is too full of FOOT.

 What a waste, cut out the Middle Man I say.

 and kicks him out.
Only decent thing she ever did!

 Unless you are a reader of The Bagsy Blog
Over and Out!