Laughing - R.E.M.

 Long before daylight we arrived off Nassau, Bahamas
country #142

and even before securing alongside the quay it was obvious

 that we were in for an early run on

LAUGHING GULLs

More than twice the size of Voyager, the Cruise Ship Majesty of the Seas followed us into Nassau Harbour threading her way through the narrow buoyed channel.

 Many 'hundreds' of them in varying plumages

 mostly distant to start with but much closer once we were

 'cleared' to leave the ship.

 PARADISE as far as I'm concerned and I know a few others

 who won't baulk at the number of photos, so please enjoy!

 A few shots from the Sun Deck before getting among those Gulls ashore

 Brilliant courtship displays.

 

 

There was also a single Ring-billed Gull, on a distant mooring dolphin, which was not photographed.

and so for a walk up the road.

 The Harbour Tugs berth

 and a slightly closer look at the Lighthouse.

 EUROPEAN COLLARED DOVE

followed by a 'great surprise'.

I had read about the introduction of

 CUBAN GRASSQUIT

 into this part of the Island

 but had not considered seeing it!

 

Other birds included,

 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

 GREY KINGBIRD

 a distant AMERICAN KESTREL

 a much more obliging

 MOURNING DOVE

 Far more unusual, what is believed to be

 one of many (introduced)

AFRICAN COLLARD DOVE

no time to check yet.

 female AMERICAN REDSTART

 was followed by a few 'Grockle' shots

 

 and this SMOOTH-BILLED ANI

perched rather Nasgul-like on this gravestone.

 Time for a pint, a Hairdo

 and a final shot across the harbour

 before setting an EASTERLY course and heading off into the sunset.