It was exactly 40 years ago today
that I made my first documented record of 'bird watching', despite a
boyhood of egg-collecting and on occasion shooting the poor things. Most
of us have learned a lot since then and I am pleased to have inspired
one or two to take up the hobby, but not all with the desired outcome!
The bug started as I sat in the Saloon Pantry of the Ocean Salvage Tug
'Confiance', chatting away with my shipmate Paul (Andy) Knapp about
earlier days. Both of us had shared the same interest and as we were
refitting the ship in Portsmouth at that time we decide to visit
Farlington Marshes that very afternoon. Our luck was in as we
encountered the Warden who allowed us access to view both Jack Snipe and
roosting Long-eared Owls, which had me 'hooked', although the interest
has 'waned' a little since then????
and
while I'm sat here scribing away another 'record', the heaviest and
most ferocious rain-storm I have ever witnessed, for 20 minutes I didn't
realise rain could fall that hard!
One of the prerequisites to staying at the
SLEEPIN' INTERNATIONAL
was
that there had to be 'reliable' Internet access, preferably in the
cabin. Logging on for the first time the whole thing had gone to 'rats',
so got in contact with the Front Desk. An immediate reaction as the
Night Porter arrived in a matter of seconds to whom I introduced myself.
"No need for that man" he replied
SHERWIN
"I've been reading The Bagsy Blog for months now, and feel I already know you".
GUYANA joined the readership 05/07/2011
Unfortunately no chance of 'cabin access' but since then there has been no problem in the lobby.
Christmas is now over, and PAPA NOEL prepares to return to Lapland,
here accompanied by the black SWEENEY TODD!
I
feel sure Sarah Lindsay will be pleased, she specified I could not
attend her wedding later in the year with a beard! Priorities over, it
was now time to take a look around town armed with the new small camera.
Guyana's MAIN CATHEDRAL
which has the distinction of being the 'Tallest Wooden Building in the World.
The BANK of GUYANA
The PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
As it says 'on the tin'!
There seems to be a Church for each person here?
Along with a few Street Scenes.
The 'hub' of the whole city, the STARBOEK MARKET
with associate stalls.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL
and more Streets
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (or is that President?)
NOW, YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE GOING TO GET AWAY
WITH NO 'BIRDING' DID YOU?
Close by is the NATIONAL PARK
which I was forewarned didn't hold as many birds as the Botanical Gardens
but thought worth a try.
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER the white doesn't quite join at the nape!
Some fine WATER LILIES
SOUTHERN HOUSE WREN
Pleased I noticed these TERMITES,
starting to build a new nest, on the bench I was about to sit on!
Opportunist shots of a passing RINGED KINGFISHER
SNAIL KITE complete with SNAIL.
BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET
Lots of CATTLE EGRETs but not a Bovine in sight!
