The Bagsy Blog

Thursday, 3 January 2013

Bonaire - Dutch Antilles

A fantastic start to the day as I had a meeting with HM the Queen, not personally you understand but on the stage of ‘World Listing’ my ‘Counties Visited’ now reaches the same number as her good self, 133! As far as ‘birding’ is concerned Belaire doesn’t have a lot more to offer than has already been seen this trip, and it very quickly became apparent that the best site (National Nature Reserve) to the north is only accessible by 4 wheel-drive. Peter, Janet and I decided on a taxi to the southern edge of the Reserve, starting in what must be the smallest village in the world - No Houses!

but first a few shots during our departure form

First we steamed 'up harbour' giving very good views of the size of the place

before turning short around to get the final look at this smart town.

cosists of a couple of sheds and as the name suggests, 2 Wells,
both are in fact medium size ponds

First on the day list was PEARLY-EYED THRASHER

CARIBBEAN ELAENIA

BROWN-THROATED PARAKEET

only 2 species of Vireo have been recorded on this island, one is
Red-eyed Vireo

the other what I believe this to be
BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO despite the lack of moustachial stripe.

CACTUS

As we reached the lake and the active CHARCOAL MAKER

much of the National Park opened before us

c18 LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen here

followed by another CARIB ELAENIA

Some of the previous images shoe 'stands' of tall Cactus which we marveled at for looking so spindly that they might be toppled by the lightest breath of wind. We then noted this one that had snapped off to reveal the 'strength within. Like steel rods reinforcing concrete, these natural 'rods' seem to serve the same function.

We had given as close an inspection as we could, through dense vegetation, at one of the pond to find nothing.

On our return we started a Wild Boar at the wallow and this BLACK-NECKED STILT*, the America's version on our own,

along with c2 Least Sandpiper (all birds picked up initially by Janet) an addition to the list.

There were coincidentally c18 Stilt as well.

BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER* was the second and final addition.

There was time to take ina couple of views on the way back.
Here VOYAGER can be seen middle distance.

and further over the active SALT PANs

where later we found a dozen or so

GREATER FLAMINGO

This large and very colorful fish was swimming close to the ship and thought well worthy of a shot

while this TURNSTONE seemed to have been awaiting our return.

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Curacao - Netherlands Antilles

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS ACROSS THE GLOBE

While the Caribbean Island of Curacao is still geographically part of the Netherlands Antilles Group, she is now totally autonomous and regarded as a separate country or state.

CURACAO
With a larger number of photos today than the average, the narrative will be reduced to redress the balance.

We were escorted into the beautiful port of Willemstad early this morning
by a LAUGHING GULL

and BROWN PELICAN.

Typical Dutch influence shows in this well kept and clean city the moment you step ashore.

The 'SWING BRIDGE' that opens the port up to the sea, allowing the largest of ships to berth here. Unfortunately, with the small camera broken this is not the best of images. I'll see if I can borrow some others.