Rio Grande - Trad. Sea Shanty

O say was you ever in Rio Grande?
Way, you Rio
It's there that the river runs down golden sand
For we're bound to the Rio Grande

And away, boys, away
Way, you Rio
Sing fare you well my pretty young girls
For we're bound to the Rio Grande

As can be seen from the Puerto Rican flag flying, atop the hotel,
it was a little 'fresh' this morning with more than a 'chance' of rain.

The River Grande is no more than a 30 minute walk from the hotel,
so with prospects of a few things en route it was off for another adventure.

Long before the foreshore, on the football pitch in fact this
GREEN IGUANA
had decided to dig a nest hole.

Talking of such things, the Turtles (5 species) are also arriving for their annual 'sand excavation' but thus far all I've managed is the occasional 'bill' peeking from the surf.

One of the local OSPREY had already secured its breakfast,

but unfortunately the Caribbean Martins were flying a much greater

altitude so no photos. A little patience should have them in the bag

before too long?

At the beach/river estuary there were a good number of Waders in evidence, about 200 at a first guess, mostly SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. These would need much closer inspection.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER

ah, and something else.

One of c3

SANDERLING

Then there were half a dozen, unusually, none too trusting

TURNSTONE

Just a single
SNOWY EGRET

before things got decidedly better!

 

 

WILSON'S PLOVER

 

More and closer
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (again)

WILSON'S PLOVER (lest we forget)

and then, from nowhere, a PEEP arrived.

mingling with the Semi-P's

LEAST SANDPIPER

OK, not a massive amount of action, but certainly a site

that will stand another visit.

On the way back the CARIBBEAN MARTINs

were getting a little closer to earth, I'll keep my eye on them.

In the meantime the MOON is riding high.

SUPPER'S READY!

San Juan Botanical Gardens - Part II

Bridge built by the early Spanish Conquistadors.

 A taste of some of the habitat.

All of this is connected directly to

all under the Star Spangled Banner.

 

 PEARLY-EYED THRASHER

 What's the Story? - Morning Glory!

 

 CANARY-WINGED PARAKEET

 

after the acrobatics

a return to

the Nest Site.

That's one use for a redundant Termite's Nest.

 

 

BLACK-FACED GRASSQUIT

 

a first for the trip.

 

GREEN HERON

While it was intended to leave you with this 'blooming bush',

even more friendliness visited me.

 

No even on hotel soil yet, I was greeted at the gate by this Puerto Rican guy who recognised me as English and launched into a tale of how he had lived in Surrey for 10 years. Not I might add before thrusting a (much needed) beer into my hand.

Now a Bar/Restaurant owner in San Juan, Bert then introduced me to his wife and 2 mates here on something of a booze-up. A couple of cans later and they were gone leeevingg mee two commmposs th Blug! Cherrs to Bery, Mary, Bill and Co.