Thursday 18 April 2013

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.