tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45188463933448632872024-03-14T10:14:11.353+00:00Simon BoyesSimon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-40400483465121467822019-05-29T11:27:00.003+01:002019-05-29T11:27:42.211+01:00Antarctica to Mexico 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am recently back from a 7-week Polar-to-tropical journey on RCGS Resolute, thanks to One Ocean Expeditions. Beginning in Ushuaia on 21 March and heading first to the Antarctic Peninsula, the emphasis for our first group of passengers was on whales. <b>Humpbacks</b> especially! We had a group of scientists aboard from California Ocean Alliance who tagged many animals and shared their research with us. Having often covered Antarctica in my blogs, I will pass quickly on to the second voyage....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Chilean Fjords took us, along with a new group of passengers, from Ushuaia to Valparaiso. Spectacular scenery of Andean peaks and glaciers were the backdrop to our explorations by ship and by zodiac. Whether in polar, temperate or tropical regions, the Resolute made a very comfortable floating home! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here is a group of <b>Silvery Grebes</b>, on the sea near Chiloe Island. I could equally have featured the abundant Magellanic Penguins, Black-browed Albatross, Imperial Cormorants or Kelp Geese, which kept us company during the first week of the voyage. The second week included a day at sea in the southern part of the Humboldt Current, a wonderfully productive ecosystem. Salvin's Albatross and Masatierra Petrels were special highlights. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At Amalia Fjord, my staff colleague Franco took photos of an otter from a zodiac: but which species is it? The area has small numbers of both <b>Marine Otter</b> and <b>South American River Otter</b> - they are very similar in appearance, and both are classified as endangered. We have circulated the photos in the hopes of a professional diagnosis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In Valparaiso we said farewell to our passengers and most of the staff too. Chile's main port is a bustling centre, both for shipping and for the seabirds of the Humboldt Current. Peruvian Pelicans, Peruvian Boobies, Humboldt Penguins and Inca Terns can be seen in the harbour area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> For the next ten days we sailed north without passengers, re-positioning to Costa Rica. One of my less usual roles was helping to sort out new stock for the onboard gift shop (including sea otter, sloth and macaw!) </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vwAxaes3cc/XO4945RWyNI/AAAAAAAADUs/D2dDPPyfOmMiEYCF4i62a24eTdrr1aviwCLcBGAs/s1600/ACG_FlyingFish%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vwAxaes3cc/XO4945RWyNI/AAAAAAAADUs/D2dDPPyfOmMiEYCF4i62a24eTdrr1aviwCLcBGAs/s400/ACG_FlyingFish%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I kept a daily log of our sightings as we sailed north through the Humboldt Current. As we approached the equator, <b>flying fish</b> began to appear, and occasional schools of Pantropical Spotted Dolphins. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Brown Booby</b> - sometimes accompanied by Masked and Red-footed Boobies - accompanied us and dived down on the flying fish. Often they would catch them before they fell back into the water. Many other seabirds crossed our path, most commonly Juan Fernandez Petrels. At night Swallow-tailed Gulls followed us for a week and fed on small prey stirred up in our wake. We rarely saw them by day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On 23 April, we picked up our third group of passengers at Caldera, a small port on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The next day we began our zodiac excursions to a remote beach at Curu Wildlife Refuge, where the dry tropical forest comes down to the beach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Northern Raccoons</b> looked for crabs and fallen fruit on the beach. The reserve also revealed White-faced Capuchin and Howler Monkeys, but the forest here is too dry for sloths. Costa Rica is famous for having no army, and for putting extra funding into the environment, education and health. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We admired the coastal rainforest on the edge of the Corcovado National Park in the remote south-west of Costa Rica. Here we split into small groups and explored. Some saw a Tamandua (a tree-climbing anteater), but we all enjoyed views of Tayras (a large tree-climbing weasel), Scarlet Macaws and Yellow-throated Toucans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On May 1st, after a day exploring Soberania National Park and Panama City, we made our way through the Panama Canal from Pacific to Caribbean. Here we are entering Miraflores Lock, while on the left, a huge container ship passes along the new, wider channel that now allows even larger ships through. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of us - including those passengers on board for back-to-back voyages - visited a village of the indigenous Embera people. They come originally from the remote Darien area of Eastern Panama. This involved a dugout canoe trip from Colon, Panama. The villagers showed us their school and various fine artefacts they had made - for sale of course! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They also gave us a great lunch - freshly caught fish, fried plantains, and trays of tropical fruits. Meanwhile, our third group of passengers left us in Colon, and we welcomed a fourth group for the last voyage up to Mexico. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We all enjoyed a visit to the old city of Cartagena in Colombia, a world heritage site. Unlike sadly neglected Colon, Cartagena has been beautifully conserved. It felt relaxing - and very safe - wandering the old streets. And it made a change from looking for wildlife in remote forests! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to work! We came across this <b>Rufous-tailed Jacamar</b> in dry scrub near the National Aviary, just outside Cartagena. Jacamars (of Central and South America) fill the same ecological niche as bee-eaters in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, though they are not closely related. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the island of Guanaja, Honduras, our crew from the Philippines came ashore with us and prepared a spectacular picnic. The snorkellers found a magnificent variety of fish and coral, while others enjoyed kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sunbathing or just keeping cool in the crystal-clear water. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the first voyage Dave Brosha and I enjoyed playing tunes together, but he and his guitar left us in Ushuaia. After Valparaiso, my old <i>cunbus</i> (Turkish banjo-mandolin) was the only instrument among the staff. Sometimes we'd go into the crew mess and join in the Filipino karaoke! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A visit to Lamanai Mayan site near Belize city was a highlight both for the history and the birdlife. Like most of the Mayan ruins in Guatamala and Mexico, Lamanai is surrounded by a bird-rich forest. Brightly plumaged trogons, aracaris, orioles and honeycreepers delighted the birders among us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, on 11 May, we reached Cozumel, Mexico and began our homeward journeys. My journey stretched 85 degrees of latitude - from 65 south to 20 north - and lasted 52 days. Some of the photos here are mine, but also many thanks to various photographers who contributed, especially to Amanda Guercio for the booby, flying fish and jacamar portraits. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-2583052095545040622018-03-08T16:33:00.002+00:002018-03-08T16:33:45.713+00:00Antarctica 2017-8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I am recently back from my seventh season with One Ocean Expeditions, working as ornithologist for passengers travelling between Ushuaia or Stanley and the Antarctic Peninsula. We also made two longer voyages that included the Jewel of the Southern Ocean, South Georgia. Here the ship is at anchor at Grytviken, South Georgia, with the remains of the rusting whaling station and the church, built in 1913, in the foreground. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> One Ocean always keeps a few berths open for scientists, such as Dr Ari Friedlaender from the University of California, Santa Cruz, whose research involves tagging whales with suction caps and biopsy darts. The caps soon drop off, and reveal important information about ranges, length of dives, etc, while from the darts we can learn about diet and any toxins in the blubber. Here Ari creates history with the first ever tag placed on an Antarctic Minke Whale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another inspiring colleague was Falcon Scott, only grandson of Captain Scott of the Antarctic. Here he is in the Presentation Room, just after he presented his interpretation of the explorer, his scientific achievements, and ultimate tragedy. On staff we always have a few naturalists, a historian, a photographer, two kayak guides, several zodiac drivers, and often an artist in residence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Occasionally I have the opportunity of leading a hike, such as here at Penguin Island in the South Shetlands. Adelies and Chinstraps both have nesting colonies here, but on this occasion we were heading up to the viewpoint on top of an extinct volcano: a cinder cone with great views in all directions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRH3Wikejas/WqFVIm4KUoI/AAAAAAAADPY/XIG-o5v43YwrBJfZak4lbpQMShgQET71QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3195.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRH3Wikejas/WqFVIm4KUoI/AAAAAAAADPY/XIG-o5v43YwrBJfZak4lbpQMShgQET71QCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3195.JPG" width="400" /></a>Among the other ships we passed was the latest Greenpeace ship, Arctic Sunrise, which is down in the area doing underwater research and campaigning for a marine sanctuary to be declared in the heavily visited Antarctic Peninsula, where most of the penguin colonies on the continent can be found. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As for this season's wildlife sightings, this was one of the most remarkable. When we were in open ocean, 140 miles south-west of South Georgia, we saw a small songbird flying around the ship. During lunch it found its way through the open door into the bar-lounge, where it landed on the only object that looked familiar - which happened to be the Christmas tree. It was a White-crested Elaenia, a flycatcher that normally nests in woodland in Patagonia and was seriously lost. Sadly we had no food for it, and it must have perished at sea. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLXaOpkCvKo/WqFVnu2skpI/AAAAAAAADPk/I4N85wWSk2ETjhZ9FRaXGb_SsyEOHnq3gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5307%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLXaOpkCvKo/WqFVnu2skpI/AAAAAAAADPk/I4N85wWSk2ETjhZ9FRaXGb_SsyEOHnq3gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5307%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the crossing to South Georgia, we are used to seeing many Light-mantled Albatrosses, but this is a much rarer cousin, the Sooty Albatross, which nests in small numbers in the Tristan group in the South Atlantic. Its most important seabird island, Gough, is about to be the target for an ambitious project to eradicate the invasive house mice, which have grown almost rat-sized by eating the eggs and chicks of the seabirds. See https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/gough-island-restoration-programme</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vF35pTtHtuY/WqFVxVnNqXI/AAAAAAAADPo/r3vsyKZ2uoUY4_Wk2hmGDs6-VnUUOvVagCLcBGAs/s1600/GP%2Bon%2BKP%2Bkill%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vF35pTtHtuY/WqFVxVnNqXI/AAAAAAAADPo/r3vsyKZ2uoUY4_Wk2hmGDs6-VnUUOvVagCLcBGAs/s400/GP%2Bon%2BKP%2Bkill%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Gold Harbour on South Georgia was the setting for this dramatic and unprovoked attack by a Northern Giant Petrel on a young King Penguin on the beach. Within a few seconds, other giant petrels joined in, and the unfortunate penguin was soon dismembered. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9zKhr7yDKc/WqFWOk75v1I/AAAAAAAADP8/yHUU_rU5nj0MH0v8BuHLMZLNYafigpoeQCLcBGAs/s1600/KP%2Ben%2BMass%2B1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9zKhr7yDKc/WqFWOk75v1I/AAAAAAAADP8/yHUU_rU5nj0MH0v8BuHLMZLNYafigpoeQCLcBGAs/s400/KP%2Ben%2BMass%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">King Penguins are increasing on South Georgia, and the loss of some young or weak birds is only to be expected in their huge colonies. Their main diet is lanternfish, a small species that has no commercial fishery, so they have most of the stocks to themselves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a zodiac cruise at Elsehul, South Georgia, we witnessed the amazing spectacle of a huge feeding frenzy of Antarctic Prions, small burrow-nesting petrels which must have had a bonanza of copepods at the surface. Cape Petrels, giant petrels and three species of albatross were joining in the feast. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfMQousvYsQ/WqFWCf4LjQI/AAAAAAAADP0/eLEbZrj_6AUhzTezQjbG0m1aRApHb4XswCLcBGAs/s1600/2318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfMQousvYsQ/WqFWCf4LjQI/AAAAAAAADP0/eLEbZrj_6AUhzTezQjbG0m1aRApHb4XswCLcBGAs/s400/2318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At Fort Point in the South Shetlands, there's a mixed colony of Gentoos and Chinstraps, with a single pair of Macaronis nesting in the middle. This encounter between a Mac and a Chinny looks aggressive, but it only lasted a second and the two birds soon waddled off in different directions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6PDZl4gitI/WqFWWhS4qaI/AAAAAAAADQE/zqX8cPniPW0eNmH9HqK5Ry7xGjG7joh7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6PDZl4gitI/WqFWWhS4qaI/AAAAAAAADQE/zqX8cPniPW0eNmH9HqK5Ry7xGjG7joh7QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7493.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">We were at Hope Bay during the week when all the Adelie
chicks were taking their first swims. This proved to be a great
opportunity for a number of Leopard Seals, which were too fast for these
innocent youngsters. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o60qhJBKN4Y/WqFjY3km-gI/AAAAAAAADQc/TuvblhOXSVonkIFhNiiq5u0ziW7TKj88gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o60qhJBKN4Y/WqFjY3km-gI/AAAAAAAADQc/TuvblhOXSVonkIFhNiiq5u0ziW7TKj88gCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN3269.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, a photo I took on Saunders Island, in the Falklands. It shows that King Penguins teach their chicks to indicate their intention to turn left at an early age!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Many thanks to Nigel Hacking and Steve Rose for those photos which are not mine. It was another great season - one reason I look forward to our winters. Thanks also to all One Ocean staff and passengers who made it possible for me to return yet again to this unique wilderness.</span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-69703342941591751682018-03-01T11:43:00.000+00:002018-03-01T11:43:44.116+00:00Costa Rica Nov 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">In November I was lucky enough to return for my 12th visit to Costa Rica. Each time I have co-led an Ornitholidays group, though this one will probably be my last since the company has now been sold. As usual I was impressed by the vast areas of well-protected forest from sea-level to mountain top, and by the fact that everyone there seems to understand the concepts of conservation and eco-tourism. It's an inspiring country to visit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfuPy8zRhdU/WpfVDKMoDDI/AAAAAAAADMM/SURCH25qOFEm3L4RuVipvVMgoQd4iYdwgCLcBGAs/s1600/Coppery-headed%2BEmerald%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfuPy8zRhdU/WpfVDKMoDDI/AAAAAAAADMM/SURCH25qOFEm3L4RuVipvVMgoQd4iYdwgCLcBGAs/s400/Coppery-headed%2BEmerald%2BM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> In the group, I was lucky enough to have several very talented wildlife photographers who were happy to share their images. This <b>Coppery-headed Emerald</b> was taken by Martin Robinson. It's one of the handful of Costa Rica endemics - there are so few, since almost all the regional endemics occur also in West Panama. There are over a hundred of these. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvlwjEjnqXA/WpfWx2nGe2I/AAAAAAAADMY/29_O5K28hXUoyimjOsjS3iXuWOyVc5nIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Red-headed%2BBarbet%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvlwjEjnqXA/WpfWx2nGe2I/AAAAAAAADMY/29_O5K28hXUoyimjOsjS3iXuWOyVc5nIwCLcBGAs/s400/Red-headed%2BBarbet%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This shot of a male <b>Red-headed Barbet</b> was the work of Roger Christopher. There are many roadside stops where teas, coffee and cake can be enjoyed while watching the feeders outside: often with well-positioned lichen-covered branches carefully placed nearby to make the settings seem more natural!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEIZRImTCD4/WpfXumAn0YI/AAAAAAAADMk/FNWNiEJj3XQbMrNyiY-F1uwYkWihwmZvgCLcBGAs/s1600/Blue-throated%2BGoldentail%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1441" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEIZRImTCD4/WpfXumAn0YI/AAAAAAAADMk/FNWNiEJj3XQbMrNyiY-F1uwYkWihwmZvgCLcBGAs/s400/Blue-throated%2BGoldentail%2BM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Martin spent hours working at capturing hummingbirds in flight. Here a male <b>Blue-throated Goldentail </b>hovers at vervain flowers at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwH9JMhEQCc/WpfYk0if9LI/AAAAAAAADMs/uXBD_k-52fk6nL3wI6LS-eKLYNALl-UWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Keel-billed%2BToucan%2BR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwH9JMhEQCc/WpfYk0if9LI/AAAAAAAADMs/uXBD_k-52fk6nL3wI6LS-eKLYNALl-UWgCLcBGAs/s400/Keel-billed%2BToucan%2BR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We came across the iconic <b>Keel-billed Toucan</b> in a number of places, such as at Arenal. More often we saw the larger and inaccurately-named Black-mandibled Toucan: the local subspecies has a chestnut and yellow bill. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj0VCtcLkw0/WpfZps5SpLI/AAAAAAAADM4/aeK9lVpGdC0BC0Envy7u8Wbw105NvicvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fasciated%2BTiger%2BHeron%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1599" height="270" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj0VCtcLkw0/WpfZps5SpLI/AAAAAAAADM4/aeK9lVpGdC0BC0Envy7u8Wbw105NvicvwCLcBGAs/s400/Fasciated%2BTiger%2BHeron%2BM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The <b>Fasciated Tiger-Heron</b> frequents the banks of fast-flowing streams, such as this one, flowing down from Arenal Volcano. We also had frequent encounters with its lowland cousin, the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't focus only on birds: we had a tip-off that this <b>Margay</b> was visiting the Arenal staff dining-room for hand-outs for herself and her cub. In the same area was a venemous Eyelash Pit Viper: both subjects kept the photographers busy for a while!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DCP42h16J4/Wpfby2tnzDI/AAAAAAAADNQ/nlAXN7n2cywigz9GMjvttcpcIlfYhbooQCLcBGAs/s1600/Northern%2BJacana%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DCP42h16J4/Wpfby2tnzDI/AAAAAAAADNQ/nlAXN7n2cywigz9GMjvttcpcIlfYhbooQCLcBGAs/s400/Northern%2BJacana%2BM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> After Arenal, we headed north to Cano Negro, near the Nicaraguan border. Here the river was flooded following recent rains, but from our small boat, we discovered quiet backwaters where this long-toed <b>Northern Jacana</b> could step easily from one water-lily leaf to another. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUiwEKpf9ts/WpfcypfStvI/AAAAAAAADNc/caUu28xDbS0WNf5wqvyQ6pFqrg2K0l1MgCLcBGAs/s1600/Yellow-breasted%2BCrakes%2BMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUiwEKpf9ts/WpfcypfStvI/AAAAAAAADNc/caUu28xDbS0WNf5wqvyQ6pFqrg2K0l1MgCLcBGAs/s400/Yellow-breasted%2BCrakes%2BMC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here also we came across a rare sight: a pair of <b>Yellow-breasted Crakes </b>with their newly-hatched brood of black chicks. As with all these images, click on the photo to enlarge it. Thanks to Mark and Carren Holden for this shot.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uiRmWwENkPI/WpfdpL_r0pI/AAAAAAAADNk/sulckQvbiKsmhPJO25Fda5CnQhA6XpppgCLcBGAs/s1600/American%2BPygmy%2BKingfisher%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1522" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uiRmWwENkPI/WpfdpL_r0pI/AAAAAAAADNk/sulckQvbiKsmhPJO25Fda5CnQhA6XpppgCLcBGAs/s400/American%2BPygmy%2BKingfisher%2BM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We visited the small garden of a local artist and conservationist named Cope. Next to his garden pond he has constructed a photographic hide, from which Martin made this study of an <b>American Pygmy Kingfisher</b>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aP1gxBRh-c/Wpfejsex0-I/AAAAAAAADNs/Vk_dtKgMIO0Dj4-n4Ci_80c7wX2SIAFrACLcBGAs/s1600/Crested%2BOwl%2BMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aP1gxBRh-c/Wpfejsex0-I/AAAAAAAADNs/Vk_dtKgMIO0Dj4-n4Ci_80c7wX2SIAFrACLcBGAs/s400/Crested%2BOwl%2BMC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Cope took us to a small woodland nearby where we were able to enjoy great views of this roosting <b>Crested Owl</b>, not an easy species to see in Costa Rica. Tis medium-sized owl (weighing 400g) feeds mostly on insects.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ih02MI1vAo/WpffD8uJLmI/AAAAAAAADN4/54942it1CTwbIIdu6IXgZPYYLjSDDkGqQCLcBGAs/s1600/Spectacled%2BOwl%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ih02MI1vAo/WpffD8uJLmI/AAAAAAAADN4/54942it1CTwbIIdu6IXgZPYYLjSDDkGqQCLcBGAs/s400/Spectacled%2BOwl%2BM.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In another woodland, Cope pointed out a family of <b>Spectacled Owls </b>- white-headed juvenile in front with its darker parents in the background. Weighing 750g, this species feeds on small mammals, reptiles and birds such as jays and oropendolas. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXhaC8w9Znw/Wpfg5Z8OZkI/AAAAAAAADOE/bumgM76ONYYHoVZ0WkabP-DbiWNsFopjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sunbittern%2BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JXhaC8w9Znw/Wpfg5Z8OZkI/AAAAAAAADOE/bumgM76ONYYHoVZ0WkabP-DbiWNsFopjQCLcBGAs/s400/Sunbittern%2BC.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Rancho Naturalista is an eco-lodge designed for visiting birders and wildlife photographers. On a stretch of river nearby, we followed this <b>Sunbittern </b>for 45 minutes as it moved slowly downstream. Only once or twice did it open its wings to reveal the exquisite chestnut pattern. Not related to bitterns, its closest relatives are seriemas and trumpeters, but it is in a family of its own. Thanks to my wife Clare for this image.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTcsyybXgt0/WpfiCQIGG6I/AAAAAAAADOQ/VTeSfQyn-NwjexaPGlSYNwnDRmCyNHnUgCLcBGAs/s1600/Snowcap%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTcsyybXgt0/WpfiCQIGG6I/AAAAAAAADOQ/VTeSfQyn-NwjexaPGlSYNwnDRmCyNHnUgCLcBGAs/s400/Snowcap%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BMC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The lodge garden is the place to look for this tiny hummer, the male <b>Snowcap.</b> It feeds on the vervain bushes which line the entrance drive, but they are easily dominated by the larger and aggressive Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds. It weighs 2.5g, and is only 6.5 cm long.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8OSwrSMi7Y/WpfisvlZaGI/AAAAAAAADOY/x7FJA12Wn8sv4JMf8Ss8DJX_QBTJEEZzgCLcBGAs/s1600/White-crested%2BCoquette%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8OSwrSMi7Y/WpfisvlZaGI/AAAAAAAADOY/x7FJA12Wn8sv4JMf8Ss8DJX_QBTJEEZzgCLcBGAs/s400/White-crested%2BCoquette%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still on the theme of hummers, here's another tiddler, only fractionally larger than the Snowcap. The male <b>White-crested Coquette</b> is adorned with more than its fair share of bright colours and striking plumage. It also finds the vervain irresistible. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBuzMf0SQ2s/WpfkP5en6RI/AAAAAAAADOk/TfJH4eDuyYgqAGjIkXfvkP-F9osiySAdACLcBGAs/s1600/Resplendent%2BQuetzal%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBuzMf0SQ2s/WpfkP5en6RI/AAAAAAAADOk/TfJH4eDuyYgqAGjIkXfvkP-F9osiySAdACLcBGAs/s400/Resplendent%2BQuetzal%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Often regarded as the world's most spectacular bird, the male <b>Resplendent Quetzal</b> is one that all visitors hope to see. We visited an area where a co-operative of local farmers keep an eye on their fruiting avocados (not the commercial ones) which are the quetzals' main diet. They can phone in their sightings to a local lodge, which encourages visits and tourist dollars to benefit them. The farm we visited (in pouring rain) had eight visiting quetzals that afternoon. Thankfully there was a shelter for us and our cameras. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6un0aeUfVJQ/Wpfl5NxQi-I/AAAAAAAADOw/5gGcPmG5M1IwWupdF9RttM6OO-PJLbCUACLcBGAs/s1600/Great%2BTinamou%2BM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1398" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6un0aeUfVJQ/Wpfl5NxQi-I/AAAAAAAADOw/5gGcPmG5M1IwWupdF9RttM6OO-PJLbCUACLcBGAs/s400/Great%2BTinamou%2BM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our last forest reserve was Carara, in the Pacific lowlands. This is a great place to find the <b>Great Tinamou</b>, which can often be found quietly feeding in the leaf-litter by the main trails. Many thanks to my friend and co-leader Herman Venegas for taking us to so many great wildlife spots and finding so many species for us. And thanks again to all the photographers. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-5798424675920353412017-10-05T07:53:00.001+01:002017-10-05T07:53:07.518+01:00Brazil - Atlantic Rainforest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVUBLO3244o/WdSPwuvivTI/AAAAAAAADJY/HHIfXZ0J-kkEobGZ-vX1eFkeUlggnGSpQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN2949%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nVUBLO3244o/WdSPwuvivTI/AAAAAAAADJY/HHIfXZ0J-kkEobGZ-vX1eFkeUlggnGSpQCLcBGAs/s400/DSCN2949%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am recently back from Brazil, where I spent nine days guiding the Ornitholidays group. We stayed at Regua, a nature reserve not far from Rio de Janeiro, a former cattle ranch now beautifully restored as tropical forest. It's an inspiring place where hundreds of thousands of native trees have been planted, and local schools are given guided tours. Only 7% remains of the original Atlantic Forest - which contains a great number of endemic species (not only birds of course). </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3jT4MAakEc/WdSREkg3vRI/AAAAAAAADJk/ghPbi9NzPOg0UObiQ_pA1T6H0cJQ32xwACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCN2940%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3jT4MAakEc/WdSREkg3vRI/AAAAAAAADJk/ghPbi9NzPOg0UObiQ_pA1T6H0cJQ32xwACLcBGAs/s400/DSCN2940%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> As a contrast to the ongoing afforestation at Regua, one of our days out was to Carmo, in much drier country to the north beyond Teresopolis. My photo shows how much of the original forest looks now: bare hillsides with deep erosion gullies and only scrubby remnants of dry forest. Yet still great wildlife clings on here!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2q3exjKAMY/WdSR7motRYI/AAAAAAAADJs/hxZd56QfpIINGKJ0SWcaGCjJTmaxCvEUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Streamer-tailed%2BTyrant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b2q3exjKAMY/WdSR7motRYI/AAAAAAAADJs/hxZd56QfpIINGKJ0SWcaGCjJTmaxCvEUwCLcBGAs/s400/Streamer-tailed%2BTyrant.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> One example from Carmo is this pair of <b>Streamer-tailed Tyrants</b>, seen here in noisy display. We enjoyed many other restricted-range species here, such as Three-toed Jacamar and Serra Antwren. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrB8olSY2cw/WdSSwgGi3CI/AAAAAAAADJ0/6WiwPONACC4VOVp-0krKhCa8bbrNfSdXgCLcBGAs/s1600/Birding%2Bat%2BCarmo%2BS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrB8olSY2cw/WdSSwgGi3CI/AAAAAAAADJ0/6WiwPONACC4VOVp-0krKhCa8bbrNfSdXgCLcBGAs/s400/Birding%2Bat%2BCarmo%2BS.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the group in the best section of dry forest at Carmo, waiting for a White-collared Foliage-gleaner to appear. In the foreground is Adilei, a top-notch bird-guide who recognizes every squeak and whistle and can imitate most of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Back to Regua: the forests are full of tanagers, antbirds, manakins, with smaller numbers of toucans, motmots and trogons. This <b>Green-headed Tanager </b>is just one example, seen from one of the many excellent tracks and trails on the reserve. Though brightly coloured, it retains excellent camouflage in the canopy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PweNzwAEZ-s/WdSUqMmu3mI/AAAAAAAADKI/nf14dNfBbc8yntTknFRSLAA7XzcEFzTFQCLcBGAs/s1600/Scale-throated%2BHermit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PweNzwAEZ-s/WdSUqMmu3mI/AAAAAAAADKI/nf14dNfBbc8yntTknFRSLAA7XzcEFzTFQCLcBGAs/s400/Scale-throated%2BHermit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> On another day out, we watched this <b>Scale-throated Hermit</b> as it hovered on the mountain slopes of Macae de Cima. Hermits can generally be recognized by their long curved bills and face pattern. Many species lack the iridescence typical of most hummingbirds. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCM77DW4kZ4/WdSVYrB5-RI/AAAAAAAADKQ/cFWv4VN4Gzo3roEOkz2tfNdJ2DQBVeSHgCLcBGAs/s1600/Red-legged%2BSeriema.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCM77DW4kZ4/WdSVYrB5-RI/AAAAAAAADKQ/cFWv4VN4Gzo3roEOkz2tfNdJ2DQBVeSHgCLcBGAs/s400/Red-legged%2BSeriema.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Rough grassland and open, dry forest (cerrado) is the habitat of the <b>Red-legged Seriema</b>: a pair of them (with silent, fully grown youngster) treated us to an ear-splitting territorial display: definitely a decibel prize-winner. Seriemas are a family on their own: most closely related to cranes, but bearing a superficial resemblance to the Secretary-bird of Africa. Both are long-legged ground dwellers that nest in trees. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Burrowing Owls </b>are common on the farmland around Regua. A close relative of our Little Owls, they have a huge range from British Columbia to Southern Argentina and Chile, excluding the whole Amazon basin. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhuy1zkB3ag/WdSWeBf36KI/AAAAAAAADKg/M7azhdUIm-QLqmVvCyGetwMeTel6k1tZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Regua%2BLodge%2BS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bhuy1zkB3ag/WdSWeBf36KI/AAAAAAAADKg/M7azhdUIm-QLqmVvCyGetwMeTel6k1tZQCLcBGAs/s400/Regua%2BLodge%2BS.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The lodge at Regua is a wonderfully informal place to stay, more like a large family home than a hotel. It's the kind of place you don't need to lock doors, and where I can leave telescope and tripod out on the verandah day and night. Many thanks to Nicholas, Raquel and Tom Locke and their staff for a great stay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Though not normally a city-dweller, I enjoyed spending my last 24 hours in Brazil in the magnificent city of Rio. Here the long sweep of Copacabana Beach can be seen from my viewpoint on Pao de Azucar (Sugar Loaf). My thanks to bird-photographers Mike Creighton (tyrant, hermit and seriema) and Richard Swinbank (tanager and owl). </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-67059801401866062702017-06-12T06:08:00.000+01:002017-06-12T06:10:50.579+01:00Finland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am recently back from Finland, where I co-led the Ornitholidays tour. We spent most of our days in the Oulu and Kuusamo areas, just south of the Arctic Circle. We were surprised by the lateness of the season: Oulu Bay was still full of ice on 20 May, and many inland lakes were still frozen. One result was that <b>Waxwings</b> were more visible than usual - they were an everyday bird for us in the north. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T77XXuJ0gjM/WT4XwhLieSI/AAAAAAAADGk/w0amSfhHtpwbT2r4Q6JMPPPP6H2-2aN_gCLcB/s1600/4.Simon%2Band%2BPirita%2BR%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T77XXuJ0gjM/WT4XwhLieSI/AAAAAAAADGk/w0amSfhHtpwbT2r4Q6JMPPPP6H2-2aN_gCLcB/s400/4.Simon%2Band%2BPirita%2BR%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My co-leader Pirita worked very hard to find us the special birds we hoped to see. Here, at a sunny lunch break near Kuusamo, we were discussing where to go next. Unfortunately, a shortage of voles in the area made owls hard to find. We had one spectacular success.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avOiTpImCxM/WT4Z5chMe0I/AAAAAAAADGw/G16t2RoHd8EhdLi81NSwg8Zu3RKgzmMYgCLcB/s1600/Great%2BGrey%2BOwl%2BS%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1203" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-avOiTpImCxM/WT4Z5chMe0I/AAAAAAAADGw/G16t2RoHd8EhdLi81NSwg8Zu3RKgzmMYgCLcB/s400/Great%2BGrey%2BOwl%2BS%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pirita led us unerringly into a pinewood where this magnificent <b>Great Grey Owl </b>was spending a solitary spring, with no mate and few rodents to eat. Luckily it was settled in its daytime roost and not perturbed by our presence. I took this photo on my phone, through the scope.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Us2-RvDjlI/WT4a8aL1ziI/AAAAAAAADG4/F-1wos2TWSMQsK6La5GfWnV_LP0_0gznQCLcB/s1600/9.Capercaillie%2BR%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Us2-RvDjlI/WT4a8aL1ziI/AAAAAAAADG4/F-1wos2TWSMQsK6La5GfWnV_LP0_0gznQCLcB/s400/9.Capercaillie%2BR%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The spruce and pine forests of the Kuusamo area are renowned for grouse populations: this male <b>Capercaillie</b> allowed a close approach. With snow only just melting, they were having a late breeding season this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Siberian Jay</b> is often elusive in June since they retreat into spruce forests to breed. They survive all the year in the far north, becoming confiding around human habitations, like their close cousin the Grey Jay (or whiskyjack) in the Canadian north. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finland is a land of thousands of lakes. Where they were beginning to thaw, large numbers of duck often gathered on the ice-edge. The birches were still not ready to bud even in late May. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3IRr3F4kDY/WT4fUUf7MdI/AAAAAAAADHc/gqpej62xDzM5keOAmV3nULyI5QPPzctDQCLcB/s1600/7.Smew%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3IRr3F4kDY/WT4fUUf7MdI/AAAAAAAADHc/gqpej62xDzM5keOAmV3nULyI5QPPzctDQCLcB/s400/7.Smew%2B%25E2%2599%2582%2BR%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Most </span><span style="font-size: large;">of the duck were Teal and Goldeneye, with smaller numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Goosanders. There was antagonism among the drake <b>Smew</b> for territory, while the chestnut-headed females took no notice and continued preening. The wild songs of Greenshank and Wood Sandpipers were regular accompaniments to these scenes. Many thanks to Ross and Alan for the photos that were not mine. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-2228091845801538452017-04-10T12:00:00.000+01:002017-04-10T12:00:06.978+01:00Antarctica Feb-Mar 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Humpback Whales</b> are often inquisitive - this one especially! It visited each of the zodiacs in turn. I had to resist the temptation of stroking the barnacles on its chin. (I wasn't using any zoom on my pocket Nikon Coolpix). This was just outside Orne Harbour, in the Gerlache Strait, on a cloudy day in February. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Between the zodiacs you can see the top of the humpback's head, and under the water the white form of its left pectoral fin - which can grow to almost 5 metres in length. In my experience humpbacks are very gentle with small boats, sometimes swimming underneath them without touching them or alarming the passengers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another day, another friendly humpback. Still no zoom on my lens! This time the kayaks were on the water too, and it swam between them too. How did I take the photo? Well, it was just a fluke! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a few cloudless days during these two voyages, though generally it was cloudier than in November and December. Along the Antarctic Peninsula - our area of operations - the climate is warming, with an average of 90 days less sea-ice than a century ago. However, most other parts of the continent are south of the Antarctic Circle, and have a stable climate - i.e. seriously cold! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zodiac cruises may be for wildlife watching or just admiring the amazing ice formations that Antarctica throws at you everywhere. In this photo (click to enlarge), we are looking at another zodiac through a great hole in a huge iceberg. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the beginning of March, <b>Gentoo Penguin</b> chicks are almost fully grown. Here the chick - on the left - is making a polite request to its parent for another feed of regurgitated krill and fish. As the chicks begin to lose their down and moult into their first waterproof plumage, the adults stop feeding them. Hunger soon forces them to the water where they have to learn for themselves how to swim and catch food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During an excursion to Hannah Point in the South Shetlands, we came across this <b>Macaroni Penguin</b>, one of three in a large colony of Chinstraps - one has its head visible in the bottom right. Although it's the world's most abundant penguin. most of its colonies are further north, and inaccessible (being on steep slopes of scree or tussock). Every year a few try to nest among Chinstraps in the South Shetlands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A visit to an Antarctic Research Station is always popular. This is the bar of the Ukranian Vernadsky Station, formerly the British station Faraday, at 65 degrees south. The bar itself was built by a British carpenter, Keith Larratt, out of wood intended for a new dock. His work has ensured that visitors and residents have a warm welcome, with homemade vodka usually on offer. Famous as the base where the hole in the ozone layer was discovered, the scientists here continue important work in meteorology, atmospheric studies, zoology, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, a look back to Christmas Day on the Vavilov deck. Ceilidh and Madeleine dance for the passengers while Julia and I play Morrison's Jig on fiddle and <i>cunbus</i>, a Turkish banjo-mandolin I bought in Istanbul in 1984. Many thanks to staff photographer Jeff Topham for sharing this image. The other photos are mine. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-30353259695385777282017-03-25T10:04:00.003+00:002017-03-25T10:04:53.491+00:00Mexico January 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clare and I had a great two-week holiday in Mexico. One of the highlights was escaping from our coastal resort near Puerto Vallarta and exploring inland with a hire-car. We stayed two nights in the small (and very picturesque) town of San Sebastian del Oueste, seen here just catching the first rays of morning sun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just above the town is a hill, La Bufa, rising to 2400m, well forested in native pine and oak. A good track, much of it paved, leads right to the summit. We explored various altitudes and found the birding easy and productive. The lower slopes turned up species such as Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Mountain Trogon, and Black-vented Oriole. We even saw a Lesser Roadrunner, but it was too shy to stay for a photo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spent most time between 2100 and 2200m. Here we found this <b>White-eared Hummingbird</b>, along with Red-headed Tanagers, Aztec Thrushes, Transvolcanic Jays and a covey of Long-tailed Wood-Partridge. Bunches of orange mistletoe attracted Acorn Woodpeckers and various orioles and tanagers. We often heard the bizarre songs of the Brown-backed Solitaire, but they remained hidden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Back at our coastal resort, good dry scrub-forest extends right to the shore, between the hotel developments. Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Royal Terns and Heerman's Gulls are always flying by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eight species of waders visited the rocky shores and sandy beaches below the hotel. They included Wilson's Plover and this </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Surfbird</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">, one of a wintering flock of five. They come south from breeding grounds in Alaska to feed in the splash zone, like our Purple Sandpipers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just up the road is the fishing village of Punta de Mita, where small boats go out to watch the Humpback Whales that breed in the bay. Judging from the frenzies of the <b>Brown Pelicans</b> and <b>Heerman's Gulls</b>, there's no shortage of fish: in some spots the surface of the sea seemed to be boiling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across the main road from the hotel, a quiet road leads inland which we called Bunting Road, since four species of buntings can be seen here, including the lovely endemic Orange-breasted. The orange-barked tree is the gumbo-limbo, (<i>Bursera simaruba</i>), often known as tourist tree for its peeling red bark! Walking here between 8 and 10 in the morning is still cool, and turns up different species on each visit. We have found 16 Mexican endemics along this road, though not all at once! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Among the most common is <b>Golden-cheeked Woodpecker</b>, but I could equally well have chosen Yellow-winged Cacique. San Blas Jay, Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Broad-billed Hummingbird and Citreoline Trogon are also regulars. More challenging are shy skulkers like Blue Mockingbird and Red-breasted Chat. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3QEqKmdiRk/WNY3I9nBcrI/AAAAAAAADD0/Wbj98PP54u4FV6hRwLf1Z2zMwoZ_0W7vACLcB/s1600/Mexican%2BParrotlet%2B1%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3QEqKmdiRk/WNY3I9nBcrI/AAAAAAAADD0/Wbj98PP54u4FV6hRwLf1Z2zMwoZ_0W7vACLcB/s400/Mexican%2BParrotlet%2B1%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another endemic that we enjoyed watching were these <b>Mexican Parrotlets</b>, as they fed in an acacia. Usually they only appear as a tight flock whizzing past and calling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also visited Rancho Primavera, an hour south of Puerto Vallarta at El Tuito, for two nights. Here we self-catered in a comfortable chalet near a lake. Our hostess Bonnie Jauregui made us feel very much at home and told us what birds to look out for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Primavera was the only place we found <b>Russet-crowned Motmot</b> posing for photos. It seemed to be a haven for wintering North American warblers - we saw 9 species. We also found the beautiful Rosy Thrush-Tanager turning the leaf-litter in the woodland here. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2COXs1FNb4/WNY6uLWid-I/AAAAAAAADEM/64f98ZTn79QZ-Lnx0uxwqRG6DcKDpX4aQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3555%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2COXs1FNb4/WNY6uLWid-I/AAAAAAAADEM/64f98ZTn79QZ-Lnx0uxwqRG6DcKDpX4aQCLcB/s400/IMG_3555%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This young <b>Black-throated Magpie-Jay</b> was a little too friendly, pulling my ear! It had been taken illegally from a nest, confiscated by the authorities and given to Bonnie to join the wild magpie-jays on the ranch. It also took a pen from my pocket and showed every sign of preferring human company to that of its own kind. Many thanks to Clare for the photos and for a great holiday!</span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-57244617741692841952017-01-20T10:13:00.000+00:002017-04-10T12:17:52.865+01:00Antarctica through MY lens, part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my images from the latest voyages. Better ones (taken by other passengers with fancier cameras and kindly shared) can be found in the blog below "Antarctica Nov 2016 - Jan 2017. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chinstrap on remote camera, Orne Harbour</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKORk8HZLs4/WIETCZJ_VeI/AAAAAAAADAM/X2A2wm0Y-9Mit3awSNC8QO1BTuBS5yb9ACLcB/s1600/DSCN1529%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKORk8HZLs4/WIETCZJ_VeI/AAAAAAAADAM/X2A2wm0Y-9Mit3awSNC8QO1BTuBS5yb9ACLcB/s400/DSCN1529%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Chinstraps on their highway up to the ridge above Orne Harbour. (click on image to enlarge)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kitchen at Port Lockroy, just as it was in the 1950s when it was a British research station, studying ionospherics. It is now a historic monument, complete with post office, gift shop and Gentoo Penguin colony.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two Gentoos hurry downhill from their nests to the sea for more krill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Leopard Seal rests on an ice-floe as we start a zodiac cruise. Passengers are lining up ready to go down the gangway into the boats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Zodiac cruises are just as much about admiring the ice as looking for wildlife. We had many calm, sunny days during November and December 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A fiery sunset adds a splash of gold to the usual Antarctic colour spectrum of white, blue and black (where rock is exposed).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adelies rest on a sunny floe with a huge ice-cliff behind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lonely Adelie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ended our last full day with a two spectacular days in West Falklands. Rockhopper Penguins and Black-browed Albatross nest together in tight mixed colonies. There are frequent squabbles between the masters of the air and their distant relatives which can't even fly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our penguin scientists Melissa and Steve: Melissa is showing off her ring, soon after Steve's proposal among the seabird colonies of New Island!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Portrait of a Black-browed Albatross, Westpoint Island.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On January 6, most of the albatross chicks were about a month old. They will make their first flight at the beginning of April. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-65760509518338978562017-01-19T06:19:00.000+00:002017-04-10T12:13:57.473+01:00Antarctica through MY lens, part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">All too often I post other people's photos! Here are some of mine from my latest Antarctica season with One Ocean Expeditions. Young bull Elephant Seal, South Georgia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Snow Petrel on nest, Brown Bluff. 'Digiscoped' through the ship's scope, hence the vignetting in the corners. I only carry a Nikon Coolpix that fits in my pocket!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our kayakers paddling past a small part of the huge Adelie colony at Brown Bluff. (Click to enlarge the image). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adelie in zodiac. Occasionally they mistake our boats for black rocks. My colleague calmly reacts by taking out his camera. It soon jumped off again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On one of our visits to Elephant Island, conditions were so calm that we were able to take a zodiac cruise at Point Wild, where Shackleton's crew were marooned for four months awaiting rescue. This is the monument erected by the Chileans to Pilotto Pardo, the tug captain who effected the rescue in August 1916. The Chinstraps that nourished Shackleton's men (or rather their descendants) are still there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Vavilov dining room! Home of three fine meals every day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My homework! I can never stop finding amazing things out about penguins!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Turret Point, with the Vavilov at anchor. This is the majority of the failing Adelie colony. It used to number thousands, but is now down to a few pairs. Taking Antarctica as a whole, Adelie numbers are stable, but here in the South Shetlands they are on the edge of their range. Successful Adelie colonies are always close to sea-ice (under which the krill feeds on the phytoplankton). Decreasing sea-ice here as the climate warms makes longer and longer foraging journeys for the Adelies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Close-up of the same colony, with half-grown soot-coloured chicks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two friends and staff colleagues: Tammie and Hilary.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Warm enough to sit outside? The stern deck BBQ makes a chilly change from the dining room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chinstraps in the sun: Orne Harbour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Idyllic Antarctic scene - descending from the mountaineering Chinstraps at Orne Harbour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Part 2 will be posted soon!</span></span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-80487006394420875912017-01-17T15:05:00.000+00:002017-01-18T21:12:04.887+00:00Antarctica Nov 2016-Jan 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt_lkSIgdoY/WH4gZZo0kSI/AAAAAAAAC70/-4D5Sb01OYEWT5qQ7at1CjyeU6BSXJoggCLcB/s1600/Humpback%2Bbreach%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt_lkSIgdoY/WH4gZZo0kSI/AAAAAAAAC70/-4D5Sb01OYEWT5qQ7at1CjyeU6BSXJoggCLcB/s400/Humpback%2Bbreach%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a brief overview of my 7 weeks working as staff ornithologist on the Akademik Sergei Vavilov. There she is in the background, eclipsed by a frolicsome young <b>Humpback</b> <b>Whale</b> that breached 20 times or so as we were close by in zodiacs. (Not too close!) There were several Humpbacks in Wilhelmina Bay that day in December. We visited there in November, before any had arrived from the tropical waters where they breed. But as the summer progresses, numbers build up spectacularly. They have recovered better than any other whale from the depredations of the whaling years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6y95pqIkra8/WH4hsEY1TNI/AAAAAAAAC8A/JrCkDo7_yoEqx1UKORMNEKYMJDZR4zXcgCLcB/s1600/Humpback%2Bspyhop%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6y95pqIkra8/WH4hsEY1TNI/AAAAAAAAC8A/JrCkDo7_yoEqx1UKORMNEKYMJDZR4zXcgCLcB/s400/Humpback%2Bspyhop%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This image was on the same zodiac cruise, but we can't be sure if this was the same whale. This looking-around behaviour is known as spy-hopping: the small eye is visible to the right of the huge mouth. On the throat and stretching down to the belly are the ventral pleats which expand into a vast balloon, filled with water and krill. By bringing the tongue up to the palate, the water is extruded through the baleen plates, leaving a ball of krill to swallow. In the background is one of our zodiacs and a few Kelp Gulls, on the lookout for spilt krill. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B1ieisNUu4Y/WH4jFbV-YSI/AAAAAAAAC8I/iTLBzhm7KVEaUgzf8D1848COYU0fUE2ywCLcB/s1600/Emp%2BHalf%2BMoon%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B1ieisNUu4Y/WH4jFbV-YSI/AAAAAAAAC8I/iTLBzhm7KVEaUgzf8D1848COYU0fUE2ywCLcB/s400/Emp%2BHalf%2BMoon%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was on board for four voyages: during the first we had two <b>Emperor Penguin </b>encounters - both far north of their usual range. This immature came first, on Half Moon Island. I had the privilege of finding it for myself, as I laid out a trail for passengers to follow. It stood with my back to me, asleep with head lowered. I mistook it for a black backpack which I assumed had been carelessly left behind by another visiting ship. Big thrill when the backpack stretched out a flipper and raised a head! We watched it for an hour from the recommended distance of 5 metres, as it preened, walked towards us, rolled in the snow, and flapped flippers as if trying to take off. A magic encounter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Still better was to follow three days later, when this adult Emperor appeared on ice in front of the ship as we sailed north through Dallmann Bay. Many passengers were out on the bows anyway, enjoying afternoon tea and cookies as it was mild and sunny. Hawk-eyed expedition leader Nate spotted it at a great distance, and announced it on the p.a. system, so that all passengers and staff had fantastic views as it passed almost underneath our bows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first voyage visited South Georgia, where we had a memorable morning at St Andrews Bay. This is one section of the <b>King Penguin</b> colony - the largest on the island - estimated to contain over 100,000 breeding pairs. The brown ones (click to enlarge) are the fully grown juveniles, mostly 8 months old, and nearly ready to moult into their first waterproof plumage. Parents returning from the sea full of fish will have to find their offspring by individual voice, even though they may have wandered far from where they were last fed! This spectacle is one of the wonders of my world. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEpmirKJ7Jc/WH4nl02cPVI/AAAAAAAAC8w/aNyxtyhDMB8Fs4Nv_dZyYbL-BOT8ZAM7wCLcB/s1600/Leopard%2BKing%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEpmirKJ7Jc/WH4nl02cPVI/AAAAAAAAC8w/aNyxtyhDMB8Fs4Nv_dZyYbL-BOT8ZAM7wCLcB/s400/Leopard%2BKing%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">With such vast (and increasing) numbers of King Penguins, casualties are bound to occur. Here a <b>Leopard Seal </b>has caught hold of a huge meal - though renowned for attacking penguins, they also eat great quantities of krill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the Antarctic Peninsula, <b>Gentoo Penguins</b> are also increasing in numbers. On a typical voyage we visit two or three colonies of Gentoos, and a similar number of Chinstraps and Adelies. These two are waddling down to sea from their nests along a well-used highway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During a visit to Brown Bluff on 11 December, it was a big day for hatching in the <b>Adelie Penguin </b>colony. Adelies lay two eggs, usually hatch two young, and often raise both to fledging. We found four nests with eggs pipping, or broken eggshells and tiny chicks. It was a cold day however, and most parents were not inclined to show off their chicks. They would mostly lie on the nest keeping the chicks warm, only occasionally standing as if to marvel at what their eggs were turning into. Penguins are so confiding, letting us into their family life without reacting to camera-crazy visitors! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is a very rare scene, taken at Port Charcot by penguin scientist Steve Forrest. <b>Chinstraps, Gentoos and Adelies</b> are all abundant, but not nesting together! Normally they stick to their own single-species colonies. Steve works with Oceanites, a penguin-counting N.G.O. which has built up an impressive inventory of penguin populations on the Peninsula, as a database to inform future science as the climate changes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Macaroni Penguins</b> are more a sub-Antarctic species, with only a few nesting pairs in the South Shetland Islands, just north of the Peninsula. Their bright orange plumes seem amost out of place in the monochrome Antarctic landscapes. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although they are the most abundant penguin in the world (about 9 million pairs), they are not well known as they choose remote, inaccessible sites on scree and in tussock to nest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been all wildlife so far! But I have to include one of the thousands of dramatic ice-scapes that we are lucky enough to admire during a season. This holy ice-berg is in Paradise Harbour. It would have calved from a nearby glacier, and is stuck on the sea-floor. Others float free, and drift around with the wind and currents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the wildlife! (My work and passion in equal measure). The <b>Antarctic Minke</b> is usually a shy and elusive whale, but this one came close to each of our seven zodiacs in turn, allowing all the passengers who were out on the water an encounter like this. When will the Japanese stop hunting them?</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-023yGrYjFww/WH4vB9V9loI/AAAAAAAAC9s/BTGLyZfYz7ABBBd3P3hgNcWkvMjFc2MPACLcB/s1600/Blue%2Bwhale%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-023yGrYjFww/WH4vB9V9loI/AAAAAAAAC9s/BTGLyZfYz7ABBBd3P3hgNcWkvMjFc2MPACLcB/s640/Blue%2Bwhale%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Backtracking in time, I leave the largest whale till last. This <b>Blue Whale </b>surfaced ahead of the ship on our way to South Georgia at the beginning of the season. It is just possible to make out its mottled greyish colour and its small dorsal fin. I was on the bridge when the monumentally tall whale-blow ahead made us all take notice. I was able to announce it on the p.a., and give many passengers a chance to see the largest animal ever to grace the planet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After seven weeks on board, it's time to head north across the Scotia Sea back to Stanley and four flights home. The two sea days are a chance for many to catch up on sleep, but for me they are busy days. There are always seabirds to find, such as six species of albatross and various petrels. This a magnificent old <b>Wandering Albatross</b>, with a wingspan of about 12 ft. Only very mature birds - it may be 30, 40 or 50 years old - lose the white on the tail and show so much white on the leading edge of the wings. Many thanks to various passengers who took most of these images and allowed me to use them. I return to the sister ship, the Akademik Ioffe, for two more voyages in February. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-28006328218992348542017-01-16T12:53:00.002+00:002017-01-16T12:53:56.842+00:00Western Ecuador Endemics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">In November I led an Ornitholidays group to Western Ecuador, from Guayaquil southwards to the Peru border. Here I illustrate a few of the local endemics we saw - species confined to Western Ecuador or the Tumbes region: an arid area that south-west Ecuador shares with north-western Peru. Here, at Buenaventura Reserve, the <b>Rufous-headed Chachalaca</b> is a regular visitor to the feeders. The hummingbird feeders here are amazing, attracting over 50 individuals of six or seven species at a time during most hours of daylight. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9Dnqm0JQm8/WHy20tz0ZbI/AAAAAAAAC6s/Wk7RDH_jkx4Au_3rgm_-BW_31RSsd49RwCLcB/s1600/White-tailed%2BJay%2B%252C%252CJorupe%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C26-10-2016%2B%252CIMG_6199%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9Dnqm0JQm8/WHy20tz0ZbI/AAAAAAAAC6s/Wk7RDH_jkx4Au_3rgm_-BW_31RSsd49RwCLcB/s400/White-tailed%2BJay%2B%252C%252CJorupe%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C26-10-2016%2B%252CIMG_6199%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next, we visited Jorupe, a small reserve close enough to the Peru border to see its hills across the river below. The feeders here attract many local specialities, such as the <b>White-tailed Jay</b>. Buenaventura, Jorupe and Tapichalaca - three of the lodges we visited - are run by the Jocotoco Foundation, which has ensured the survival of many species by buying reserves in important bird areas.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMg0VbAubqQ/WHy4er7NErI/AAAAAAAAC64/7wXm3Br4xAU0jZj_thMXk0o9s6OZUvYQQCLcB/s1600/Pale-browed%2BTinamou%2B%252C%252CJorupe%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C26-10-2016%2B%252CIMG_6251%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMg0VbAubqQ/WHy4er7NErI/AAAAAAAAC64/7wXm3Br4xAU0jZj_thMXk0o9s6OZUvYQQCLcB/s400/Pale-browed%2BTinamou%2B%252C%252CJorupe%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C26-10-2016%2B%252CIMG_6251%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Jorupe staff scatter corn below the feeder for species such as the <b>Pale-browed Tinamou</b>. In common with all tinamous, only the male incubates the eggs and protects the young. This species is heard much more than seen in most parts of its range, but at Jorupe one or two have become habituated to regular hand-outs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The tour proved an Antpitta bonanza, with five species seen and a sixth heard. Here, the normally shy <b>Watkins's Antpitta</b> is persuaded into the open at Jorupe. This is just one species of antpitta that is now venturing out for food. Following the pioneering techniques of Angel Paz, various rare and local antpittas can now be whistled into view with the promise of fresh worms. Angel, once a struggling farmer in the High Andes, is now a well-known conservationist with a thriving eco-lodge on his property. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-renH_h4C3ao/WHy8iXhcw0I/AAAAAAAAC7M/s69B2hnCyWMj8CaPe-5_UKvW3CqjQLpWwCLcB/s1600/Jocotoco%2BAntpitta%2B%252C%252CTapichalaca%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C30-10-2016%2B%252CIMG_7909%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-renH_h4C3ao/WHy8iXhcw0I/AAAAAAAAC7M/s69B2hnCyWMj8CaPe-5_UKvW3CqjQLpWwCLcB/s400/Jocotoco%2BAntpitta%2B%252C%252CTapichalaca%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C30-10-2016%2B%252CIMG_7909%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> At Tapichalaca in the High Andes, we enjoyed point-blank views of this <b>Jocotoco Antpitta</b> at a feeding station. Angel Paz was brought here to advise on how best to conserve and showcase this rarity, whose total population may be as low as 100 individuals. Named after its call, this bird was the <i>raison d'etre</i> of the foundation that has now taken its name, and runs 11 reserves in various parts of Ecuador. At this reserve and at our next, Copalinga, we had a week of hot, sunny weather. Sounds great, but was anything but ideal for bird activity. These cloud-forests are so called for a good reason, and when the clouds fail to form, many species disappear - either by falling silent and staying out of view, or by migrating elsewhere. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0hy8TsSVEc/WHy-xsp8fZI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/3wvDmMf6LCg8VOFr1RIsbyd7Ew-OA15XQCLcB/s1600/Pale-headed%2BBrush-Finch%2B%252C%252CYunguilla%2BReserve%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C03-11-2016%2B%252CIMG_9204%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0hy8TsSVEc/WHy-xsp8fZI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/3wvDmMf6LCg8VOFr1RIsbyd7Ew-OA15XQCLcB/s400/Pale-headed%2BBrush-Finch%2B%252C%252CYunguilla%2BReserve%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C03-11-2016%2B%252CIMG_9204%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Pale-headed Brush-Finch</b> has a tiny population too, probably even smaller than Jocotoco's. It is confined to one small reserve in a dry valley near Cuenca. Luckily it was discovered in time to save the scrubby hillside from cultivation. So, The Yunguilla Reserve is another success story of the Jocotoco Foundation. Many more brightly coloured species can be seen here too, but I have gone for the rarity value here! </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjvvziip9U4/WHzAOm-y8bI/AAAAAAAAC7k/a_8kzV3hzDoz56zYSETT6F4ZAL4huGQYgCLcB/s1600/Tit-like%2BDacnis%2B%252C%252Cupper%2Bpart%2Bof%2BCajas%2BNP%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C04-11-2016%2B%252CIMG_0234b%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjvvziip9U4/WHzAOm-y8bI/AAAAAAAAC7k/a_8kzV3hzDoz56zYSETT6F4ZAL4huGQYgCLcB/s400/Tit-like%2BDacnis%2B%252C%252Cupper%2Bpart%2Bof%2BCajas%2BNP%2B%252CEcuador%2B%252C04-11-2016%2B%252CIMG_0234b%2B%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, here is a male Tit-like Dacnis, a tiny bird in the family of tanagers and honeycreepers. It occurs in <i>Polylepis</i>, a small-leaved shrub that grows near the tree-line in the High Andes. Note that this individual has a ring (band) on its right leg. We found it in the El Cajas National Park, before we returned to Guayaquil for the flight home. Many thanks to Howard Gorringe for allowing me to use his images. </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-85070656037481561012016-10-17T09:16:00.001+01:002016-10-17T09:16:23.412+01:00PAPUA NEW GUINEA Sep/Oct 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some of my latest Ornitholidays group in the cloud forests of Papua at 2600 metres. We are looking for a Spotted Jewel-babbler (which on this occasion remains unspotted). We visit three main lodges, two in the highlands, and one in the lowlands. I work with a different birding guide in each place. In the picture wearing red is Joseph, who has turned this patch of forest into a nature reserve. Since he can't get any local or national authority to protect it, he has a team of locals maintaining trails and deterring hunting or tree-felling.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tU5BAey3eFs/WAR0kPPDVZI/AAAAAAAAC4I/zQ3Ku2yiLfoKXXTuVLcQX5mPb4tJvHQ5ACLcB/s1600/DSCN1370%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tU5BAey3eFs/WAR0kPPDVZI/AAAAAAAAC4I/zQ3Ku2yiLfoKXXTuVLcQX5mPb4tJvHQ5ACLcB/s400/DSCN1370%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the same area, we visit these colourful characters, who are Huli Wigmen. The Huli have a long tradition of tribal warfare, which is now illegal. However, they keep their customs alive, such as growing their hair and cutting it ritually to make into wigs that are worn on ceremonial occasions. On the left is the professor of the wig school, with three of his students. A number of bird of paradise feathers can be seen in two of the wigs. (Click on the photo to enlarge). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A 40-minute flight in a 10-seater plane takes us quickly from </span><span style="font-size: large;">highlands down into the steamy lowlands of the Sepik region, in Northern Papua. Our lodge is connected to the outside world only by air or river: there are no roads. For the local inhabitants, the coffee-coloured river is both larder and highway: there are plenty of barramundi in the murky depths which the boys learn to spear from dugout canoes at an early age. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The villagers harvest sago from the widespread sago palms, and export cinnamon bark by the sackful. For us, the main attraction of the area is the great numbers of parrots (such as Eclectus Parrots and Dusky Lories), imperial pigeons of three species, Blyth's Hornbills, cockatoos - both Palm and Sulphur-crested - mynas, manucodes and many more! We have to be active from dawn to mid-morning and again in late afternoon, since the middle of the day is too hot for man or bird to be out and about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This female Blyth's Hornbill was saved from the local village as a chick after the tree with the nest was felled. Free-flying but totally habituated, she takes slices of banana from the hand, tries to drink beer from the glass and likes to explore the guest bedrooms. Males have chestnut necks. The three wrinkles on top of the bill show that she is three years old. Mature birds have six wrinkles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dawn is a magic time in the Sepik. Flocks of Metallic Starlings and Papuan Spine-tailed Swifts hurry past our boat. Great-billed Herons fly up ahead of us, and the Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise calls from his favourite dead palm just beyond the airstrip. We cover great lengths of river silently by drifting down with the current. The chorus of Hooded Butcherbird, Spangled Drongo, Zoe's Imperial Pigeon, Helmeted Friarbird and many others is memorable. At present the villages are only small, and almost all the forest intact. But how long before palm-oil plantations change the place for ever? </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPYTiCkwS1Q/WASASEUmVxI/AAAAAAAAC48/-SpRMF4jZUk3fOLQntFxE_rc1nZYylzUwCLcB/s1600/DSCN1413%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MPYTiCkwS1Q/WASASEUmVxI/AAAAAAAAC48/-SpRMF4jZUk3fOLQntFxE_rc1nZYylzUwCLcB/s400/DSCN1413%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Back in the highlands, we spend time watching birds of paradise - such as this male Ribbon-tailed Astrapia - at another lodge. Huge amounts of papaya, pineapple and passion-fruit are put out to satisfy great numbers of honeyeaters - mostly Common Smoky Honeyeaters and Belford's Melidectes - plus a few astrapias, Brown Sicklebills (another bird of paradise) and Brehm's Tiger-Parrots. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60VxIIIQsL8/WASFEDJ8X7I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/BPcKqJWm1FQonlDg_BDfeimPt-nghewrACLcB/s1600/IMG_3446%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60VxIIIQsL8/WASFEDJ8X7I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/BPcKqJWm1FQonlDg_BDfeimPt-nghewrACLcB/s400/IMG_3446%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our final full day is in the Varirata National Park in the hills above Port Moresby. The quiet road passes through many beautiful landscapes, including a very Australian-like eucalypt zone, before reaching a patch of rainforest at 800 metres, where one of the highlights is displaying Raggiana Birds of Paradise. The birdlife is rich throughout, with each visit producing a different set of birds. This time Forest Bittern, Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon and Papuan Cicadabird were just a few of the species new to me. There was even a new bird of paradise - Growling Riflebird, a recent split from the Magnificent, since instead of whistling, it growls! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On this latest tour, we recorded an amazing 117 New Guinea endemics. Finally, back to the reality of airports. The instructions in Pidgin are worth a look! For a more comprehensive look at PNG spread over three blogs, see October 2014. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-77137927091662098292016-07-22T12:54:00.000+01:002016-07-22T12:54:24.026+01:00Uganda July 2016 - Birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDMbk3h5WO8/V5IDqNBKp5I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/uhS7vO4sUpceOJWtHWSIVHTw1Ma5w9tkACLcB/s1600/Shoebill%2B2%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDMbk3h5WO8/V5IDqNBKp5I/AAAAAAAAC2Q/uhS7vO4sUpceOJWtHWSIVHTw1Ma5w9tkACLcB/s400/Shoebill%2B2%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am just back from my third tour to Uganda with <a href="http://www.ornitholidays.co.uk/">Ornitholidays</a>. The theme was 'Birds and Primates', and we saw almost 350 species of birds in two weeks. (Mammals in the previous blog, below). Strangest of all the birds we saw is this <b>Shoebill</b>, an inhabitant of huge papyrus swamps, where it feeds mostly on large fish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shoebills only breed in seven countries - South Sudan, western Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, western Tanzania and northern Zambia. They can reach 140cm when standing up, and weigh up to 7 kilos. They can also catch frogs, water snakes, water monitors and small crocodiles. The estimates for the total number of birds are uncertain, but it is currently thought that there are 5,000 – 8,000 Shoebills, most of them in South Sudan. On take-off, it reminded us of a 747, lifting its huge bulk into the air!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfCaMtps1N4/V5IFZG5BxcI/AAAAAAAAC2g/-DNNPRMH-lgf2ptoXEoHuaunqbtUgqupQCLcB/s1600/Great%2BBlue%2BTuraco%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfCaMtps1N4/V5IFZG5BxcI/AAAAAAAAC2g/-DNNPRMH-lgf2ptoXEoHuaunqbtUgqupQCLcB/s400/Great%2BBlue%2BTuraco%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Turacos are mostly forest-dwelling fruit-eaters found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This <b>Great Blue Turaco</b> has also managed to adapt to open, cultivated habitats in western Uganda. A distinctive sound in Ugandan forests is their (impossible to describe!) hollow rattling, bubbling call. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBUuoD59z48/V5IGoVUPrUI/AAAAAAAAC2w/wzjtYBirF9YJum9_5XFl3Ow6aUVb8VHqQCLcB/s1600/Martial%2BEagle%2B2%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bBUuoD59z48/V5IGoVUPrUI/AAAAAAAAC2w/wzjtYBirF9YJum9_5XFl3Ow6aUVb8VHqQCLcB/s400/Martial%2BEagle%2B2%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Martial Eagle</b> is Africa's second largest raptor, where it inhabits open Acacia savanna and feeds on guineafowl and mammals as large as small antelope. This adult allowed us to drive right below it without taking off. Later we came across a white-headed immature, almost as impressive in its size. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pX6Qfwwp3p8/V5IHX0DhFbI/AAAAAAAAC24/Em9uiWkLPdgE07MatRnGFfeJxJiuFLIPACLcB/s1600/Red-billed%2BFirefinch%2B%2526%2BVillage%2BIndigobird%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pX6Qfwwp3p8/V5IHX0DhFbI/AAAAAAAAC24/Em9uiWkLPdgE07MatRnGFfeJxJiuFLIPACLcB/s400/Red-billed%2BFirefinch%2B%2526%2BVillage%2BIndigobird%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the huge to the tiny, here is a family of <b>Red-billed Firefinches</b>; but look carefully! (Click on the photo to enlarge). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Close
inspection shows that one chick is a firefinch, but the other two are juvenile
<b>Village Indigobirds</b>, with streaked backs, a little larger than the firefinch
chick. Indigobirds are nest parasites on firefinches, but both species are
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On our last day, we had a long drive from Bwindi back to Entebbe Airport, with few opportunities to stop. A legstretch by the road also gave us a chance to find this bush-shrike, a <b>Papyrus Gonolek</b>, on the edge of its marshy habitat. Many thanks to Carren and Mark for the photos that illustrate these two blogs. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-21312174847608252592016-07-22T11:28:00.000+01:002016-07-22T12:56:09.966+01:00Uganda July 2016 - Mammals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zo9hfE4awtg/V5Hjy8SFajI/AAAAAAAACzw/58xf3B-onw4UwddPn-6k12J5TdbmfVmdgCLcB/s1600/Mountain%2BGorilla%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zo9hfE4awtg/V5Hjy8SFajI/AAAAAAAACzw/58xf3B-onw4UwddPn-6k12J5TdbmfVmdgCLcB/s400/Mountain%2BGorilla%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am just back from a two week <a href="http://www.ornitholidays.co.uk/">Ornitholidays</a> tour to Uganda. 'Birds and primates' was the theme: one major highlight was our 90-minute visit to a family of <b>Mountain Gorillas</b> in the highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Our trackers led us down a steep slope, slipping on vines and logs as we went, until we found the gorillas at the bottom. But they were on the move, climbing the opposite hillside! Eventually they settled down to feed and rest, and we were able to get our breath back too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySXSyPpoFbY/V5HrA_wJZdI/AAAAAAAAC0A/UmllLuntRlM4mjt5f2dvHIFRXrSzBx4VgCLcB/s1600/Mountain%2BGorilla%2B9%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySXSyPpoFbY/V5HrA_wJZdI/AAAAAAAAC0A/UmllLuntRlM4mjt5f2dvHIFRXrSzBx4VgCLcB/s400/Mountain%2BGorilla%2B9%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are 17 in the Oruzogo family, with an alpha male (silverback, above) and a beta male, not much younger. Perhaps in a year or two this large family will split into two, as the older male will not tolerate a second silverback. There were several females and youngsters, all climbing small trees to feed on the vines they love. An adult gorilla can eat 25 kg of vegetation in a day, so feeding is a fairly constant activity. We had a great team of trackers and porters, who helped us over the challenging terrain - often having to pull and push us! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hReV-C2_QwA/V5HswyLV_VI/AAAAAAAAC0M/DucRebchOfQVTouRmYlQb4HE5w1Nf4qUgCLcB/s1600/Chimp%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hReV-C2_QwA/V5HswyLV_VI/AAAAAAAAC0M/DucRebchOfQVTouRmYlQb4HE5w1Nf4qUgCLcB/s400/Chimp%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On another day, in Kibale Forest, we tracked a family of <b>Chimpanzees</b>. This 17-year-old was on the ground when we found him, but he soon climbed a tree for a mid-morning rest. Other family members were already sleeping in a large fig-tree, while another was testing the green fruits and finding them still unripe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTQbT5dmAo8/V5Ht51-kTNI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/vK5WbePBQPQnB6mjbKyW8SmRGUJ00FsuACLcB/s1600/Black-and-White%2BColobus%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTQbT5dmAo8/V5Ht51-kTNI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/vK5WbePBQPQnB6mjbKyW8SmRGUJ00FsuACLcB/s400/Black-and-White%2BColobus%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The western Uganda forests - close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo - are also home to various monkey species, notably the handsome <b>Black-and-White Colobus.</b> At present the forests are well protected, but there is great pressure from the ever-growing human population that lives all around it. The considerable income from gorilla tracking permits (over US $25,000 per day in Bwindi alone) is ploughed back into forest conservation, including the training of forest guards and trackers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXBqhwCybHs/V5HwA082JzI/AAAAAAAAC0k/eCCWYwQiM6AavQiurZgUeSmoD5MVPhbFwCLcB/s1600/African%2BElephant%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXBqhwCybHs/V5HwA082JzI/AAAAAAAAC0k/eCCWYwQiM6AavQiurZgUeSmoD5MVPhbFwCLcB/s400/African%2BElephant%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In more open country near the Queen Elizabeth National Park, we had to wait for these heavyweights to cross the road. This landscape is a transitional one, between the forests further south, and the acacia savanna in the Ishasha sector of the park. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYhGOXHjSkY/V5HxTo4-AQI/AAAAAAAAC0w/sYacv6bO258ESuhUpuDmfjMxBzrwV3N1QCLcB/s1600/Lion%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYhGOXHjSkY/V5HxTo4-AQI/AAAAAAAAC0w/sYacv6bO258ESuhUpuDmfjMxBzrwV3N1QCLcB/s400/Lion%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Following a tip-off from other drivers, we soon found this pride of <b>Lions</b> draped over the branches of a huge fig-tree in the Ishasha Loop. Their main prey is an Impala-like antelope called <b>Uganda Kob</b> (below). During the chaos of the Amin presidency, unpaid soldiers killed most of the park's game animals, but they have recovered their numbers very well. Controlled burning in some areas ensures fresh green grass, which in turn attracts both herbivores - and inevitably carnivores too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hA8RPfQ1lR4/V5HzbvkxR1I/AAAAAAAAC08/5Gc8gA1uWPs7z8a5-ZF4-sdCr9BPDgDGACLcB/s1600/Uganda%2BKob%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hA8RPfQ1lR4/V5HzbvkxR1I/AAAAAAAAC08/5Gc8gA1uWPs7z8a5-ZF4-sdCr9BPDgDGACLcB/s400/Uganda%2BKob%2B1%2BH%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Due to a camera battery malfunction, my photography was virtually non-existent this trip: how could I have forgotten to pack a spare!? I am very grateful to Mark and Carren for allowing me to use their images. My next blog will feature a few of the special birds we watched. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-64254953050333239062016-02-18T09:05:00.000+00:002016-02-18T09:05:40.278+00:00A week in St Lucia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clare and I are recently back from a relaxing week in St Lucia, in the Lesser Antilles. She was on holiday, while I was leading the <a href="http://www.ornitholidays.co.uk/">Ornitholidays</a> group. The profile of the island is dominated by twin volcanic plugs, called Pitons, that rise sharply out of the Caribbean. Here only one is visible: the other is directly behind it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X92ZuyFfQns/VsV_uU7R-fI/AAAAAAAACyM/AVm4bsLoTwA/s1600/3.Anse%2BMamin%2BBeach%2BC%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X92ZuyFfQns/VsV_uU7R-fI/AAAAAAAACyM/AVm4bsLoTwA/s400/3.Anse%2BMamin%2BBeach%2BC%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our resort, Anse Chastenet, is on the west coast. It has two beaches, including this quiet and little used one, Anse Mamin. Good birding is available right there, including two endemic species, St Lucia Warbler and St Lucia Pewee. Our room had views over the sea and across to the Pitons. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A number of birds could be enticed to our verandahs with a few crumbs liberated from the breakfast buffet. Boldest are Lesser Antillean Bullfinches and Bananaquits, but with patience this shy Grey Trembler was tempted away from its usual diet of fruit and small lizards. The trembler is so-called as it quivers its wings as if in excitement. In family terms, it is a thrasher, related to mockingbirds. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAz_qj81-Zw/VsWCtlvRdhI/AAAAAAAACyk/TwBNVEElNNs/s1600/9.Vision%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAz_qj81-Zw/VsWCtlvRdhI/AAAAAAAACyk/TwBNVEElNNs/s400/9.Vision%2BB.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On three days we had early starts with picnic breakfasts, guided by one of the top birders on the island, aptly named Vision. Here we are on the Des Cartier Rainforest Trail, where Vision is explaining the importance of some of the rainforest trees. In particular, we were keen to see the national bird, the St Lucia Parrot. The island has six endemic species of birds, which can all be seen fairly easily in the company of a good naturalist guide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After finding shelter from a passing shower, our driver Sherman summoned us back along the trail to watch a pair of parrots that he found. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At
their low point, in 1975, the parrots declined to about 150 birds. A
national campaign and education programme persuaded islanders to protect them
and their nesting trees, and made it illegal to keep them as pets. Now there are over a thousand birds, and all the schoolchildren know about 'Jacquot.'</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On another day out with Vision, we watched Magnificent Frigatebirds and this Red-billed Tropicbird flying around the southernmost point of the island. Tropicbirds were always a welcome sight to seamen in the sailing ship days, since they rarely fly more than a day's sailing from land. One morning we took a boat out from the resort, where we found a school of Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, many Brown Boobies, plus one Red-footed Booby and two wintering Pomarine Skuas. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The afternoons were for relaxing, or exploring the coral reef just off our two beaches. Here a Yellowtail Damselfish swims past Yellow Tube-Sponges. Among the brain corals, sea-fans, sea-plumes and giant clams swam a great diversity of fish, in many shapes, sizes and colours. In addition to Clare's and my photos, many thanks to Eoin Hanley and Sue Goodyer for the others. </span></span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-62623712391263037152016-02-09T11:45:00.002+00:002016-02-09T11:45:49.577+00:00Emperor Penguin!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the highlights of my Antarctic season came at 2100 hrs local time on Christmas Eve. In GMT terms, that's the moment Christmas day started! The Vavilov was sailing past Waterboat Point, where the Chilean station of Gonzalez Videla is situated. It was a clear, sunny evening, and we had just finished dinner on board. We had heard from our sister ship that a lone Emperor was among Gentoos on the isthmus that links the mainland to the peninsula where the station is built, and where the Gentoos have a colony. We rushed up to the port bridge-wing and manned the two ship telescopes. There, lying down on the isthmus, was the unmistakable bulk of a huge penguin. At that late hour we had no chance to get closer, as we were heading for Paradise Harbour to offload our campers for a night in bivvy-bags on the ice. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqaScOOhJWk/VrnKxYbA8lI/AAAAAAAACxk/YZ9SxRra_vY/s1600/Emperor%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqaScOOhJWk/VrnKxYbA8lI/AAAAAAAACxk/YZ9SxRra_vY/s400/Emperor%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our plans to return for a landing or a zodiac cruise in the morning were foiled by an unfortunate medical emergency that had us passing Waterboat Point at full speed - there was the Emperor again, standing up this time. (Happily our patient was safely evacuated and has recovered well.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is how we saw the Emperor on Christmas Eve: the rounded shape on the left of the image! (Click to enlarge the picture). Luckily it remained in the same spot for several days, enabling One Ocean staff photographer Tony Beck to capture his portrait (top image), with a Gentoo for size comparison. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the Chilean station, with the isthmus on the right of the picture. Our ships could only reach 64 degrees south in December on account of ice; Emperor colonies on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula are well south of the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees, 33 minutes. Nevertheless the odd vagrant is reported at this latitude from time to time. This one is in immature plumage, with white rather than golden cheek patch. It is probably 18 months old, since Emperors chicks hatch in August. It will spend most of the next two years at sea, returning to its nesting colony aged four, and breeding at five. The weight range of Emperors is 20 to (an unbelievable) 41 kg, while a Gentoo averages 6 kg. So, although it is not much taller than the Gentoo, it is probably four times its weight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite our views being distant, it was a fantastic Christmas present! Many thanks to Tony Beck for the main photo; also to Nate Small for alerting us to look for it and then spotting it first, and to Alastair and Ruthie McLauchlan for the other photos. </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-42556240084150969922016-02-02T14:28:00.000+00:002016-02-02T14:28:10.232+00:00Antarctica October 2015-January 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3Da3a5R5wQ/VrCp8sZ8Z2I/AAAAAAAACvs/yzGRAvytunQ/s1600/VAVILOV%2BDANCO%2BREFLECTION%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3Da3a5R5wQ/VrCp8sZ8Z2I/AAAAAAAACvs/yzGRAvytunQ/s400/VAVILOV%2BDANCO%2BREFLECTION%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">My latest Antarctic adventure was my longest: 12 weeks on the Akademik Sergei Vavilov, seen here on a sunny morning off the Antarctic Peninsula, at 64 degrees south. In recent years, there has been too much ice to head further south than this much before Christmas. February and March are the easiest months to cross the Antarctic Circle, at 66 degrees, 33 minutes. As usual this and her sister ship are operated by One Ocean Expeditions, from Canada. Although my main jobs are spotting and identifying wildlife, and giving presentations on the seabirds (especially penguins), we staff all have plenty of other roles. Most revolve around ensuring that our passengers are safe and have a wonderful time! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh7zy5-fUjU/VrCs-2oh_eI/AAAAAAAACv4/cnokG6BoXg4/s1600/King%2BPs%2BSalisbury%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hh7zy5-fUjU/VrCs-2oh_eI/AAAAAAAACv4/cnokG6BoXg4/s400/King%2BPs%2BSalisbury%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">We had six groups of passengers while I was on board. The first voyage was just for South Georgia, since October is too early to visit Antarctica. Here King Penguins - with their brown downy chicks aged 8 months - form great colonies close to the beach. On some beaches they have to share space with hundreds of Elephant Seals and (from late November) Antarctic Fur Seals too. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzhSSN_jN3U/VrCvVjdqHMI/AAAAAAAACwE/zhhvytagLCs/s1600/3%2BBrush-tail%2Bsp%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzhSSN_jN3U/VrCvVjdqHMI/AAAAAAAACwE/zhhvytagLCs/s400/3%2BBrush-tail%2Bsp%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Once we reach the Antarctic Peninsula, these are the three penguins we see most: (from left to right) Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap, though it's not common to see the three standing together as here on a beach in the South Shetlands. They usually nest in one-species colonies, apart from the other two. This part of Antarctica (the west side of the Peninsula) is changing quickly, with far less sea-ice remaining in winter compared with a century ago. This has caused a decline in Adelies and Chinstraps, which feed on krill. (Krill feeds on algae on the underside of the sea-ice). However, the more generalist Gentoo - a fish-eater too - is increasing rapidly at the expense of the other two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Gentoo has a nest with two eggs, laid in mid-November. Then came a snowstorm, as often happens early in the season. Like all penguins, both Gentoo parents share all the nesting duties. In a day or two, the other partner will return to take a turn incubating. Provided the nest has a good foundation of small stones to help the eggs dry out quickly, they should hatch as normal - around Christmas or New Year's Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adelies begin their nesting season earlier than Gentoos: this is the colony at Brown Bluff on 3rd January. After two more weeks the chicks' down falls off, revealing their first waterproof plumage underneath. Their first underwater forays are fraught with danger, as they have to learn to swim, find food, and avoid Leopard Seals and Orcas. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4VBtZsdLL4/VrC1Nobq19I/AAAAAAAACwo/loJASyGTzL0/s1600/_MG_7884_edited-1%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y4VBtZsdLL4/VrC1Nobq19I/AAAAAAAACwo/loJASyGTzL0/s400/_MG_7884_edited-1%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Elephant Island, in the South Shetlands, is home to large colonies of Macaroni and Chinstrap Penguins. Here two Macs pose on the rocks with a Chinny. Macaronis are the world's most abundant penguin, with about 9 million pairs, but by no means the easiest to encounter. They nest in large inaccessible colonies on steep slopes, either under tussock or in scree. Although they lay two eggs, they only ever raise one chick to fledging. The first of the two eggs is often smaller than the second, and usually fails to hatch. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYr0xhqYtp4/VrC2vEjmM7I/AAAAAAAACw0/w86yhWSM8Ig/s1600/DSC_0707%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYr0xhqYtp4/VrC2vEjmM7I/AAAAAAAACw0/w86yhWSM8Ig/s400/DSC_0707%2B%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On a snowy day on South Georgia, we are watching Albatrosses (Grey-headed and Light-mantled) on their nests. Some passengers are busy with cameras, while others enjoy the 30x magnification of the ship's telescope. In early November, the albatrosses are at the courtship stage, strengthening their pair-bonds with mutual preening on the nest and synchronized fly-pasts.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzH3lGAQv-4/VrC4kR5TXOI/AAAAAAAACxA/6mZGp-kLyOg/s1600/L-m%2BAlbatross%2Bchicks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzH3lGAQv-4/VrC4kR5TXOI/AAAAAAAACxA/6mZGp-kLyOg/s400/L-m%2BAlbatross%2Bchicks.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This is a pre-digital slide I took many years ago in South Georgia, of two half-grown Light-mantled Albatross chicks on their nests one February. As with all of the family, only one egg is laid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the evenings there is </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">often a chance to make music in the bar. Michael, Kaylan and I have just recreated the song 'My Hut on Elephant Isle' - written in 1916 by the crew of the Endurance as they awaited rescue by Shackleton. Some of these photos are mine; many thanks to One Ocean staff and passengers for the others. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-30608534233342939282015-07-18T11:11:00.003+01:002015-07-18T11:11:37.215+01:00Some common British birds' nests<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Song Thrush</b>'s nests are easily recognized by the hard mud lining, typically placed in a hedge or thick shrub. Although this one was up against the wall of our house, we couldn't prevent predation of the young chicks - either by Magpie or Jay. We didn't catch the culprit red-beaked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Similar in size to a Song Thrush nest, the <b>Blackbird</b> lines its nest with grasses. Both species lay four or five eggs, and in a good year raise two broods. By mid-July the males stop singing until next March, depriving us all of what must be my favourite birdsong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tiny <b>Wren</b> punches above its weight: both in the volume of its song and the size of its nest. The mossy nest is always domed, with a small side-entrance, typically in low bushes or ivy against trees or walls. This one, which successfully fledged a family in June, was in ivy and clematis, against the wall of the old garden privy, now our tool-shed. Male Wrens build several nests each spring, and let the female choose which to use. The other nests are often used as roosts. They are also double-brooded, and usually lay five or six eggs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Dunnock</b> is one of our commonest but most understated garden residents. Their mossy nests are placed in low bushes, brambles or hedges; and the four or five pale blue eggs are incubated only by the female. Their shy retiring character belies an unexpected sex life: analysis of eggs in a nest reveals that many females have two or more partners. Cuckoos sometimes victimize Dunnocks, but these days (as Cuckoos have drastically declined), Meadow Pipits and Reed Warblers are more usual hosts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until recently, the <b>Blackcap </b>(one of our most tuneful warblers)<b> </b>was strictly a summer visitor, wintering in Africa; but now many stay in the UK, surviving our milder winters on ivy-berries, insects and (increasingly) bird-tables. The flimsy nest is usually placed in low bushes or brambles, and again four or five is the usual clutch size. The male is illustrated here: females and young have a chestnut cap. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Blue Tits </b>take readily to bird boxes, and can be attracted to most gardens. One pair successfully nested this year in our garden in the top of a roll of roofing felt. The nest itself contains moss, animal hair, and often wool and feathers. Adults will readily come to a basket of hair or wool put out in early spring to provide easy nest material. The female lays about ten eggs, and the huge outlay of energy in fledging such a large brood ensures that pairs only nest once in a year. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk75w_EnFKs/VaoQrFByO3I/AAAAAAAACuM/7Ifo12ZJ7OE/s1600/DSCN0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk75w_EnFKs/VaoQrFByO3I/AAAAAAAACuM/7Ifo12ZJ7OE/s400/DSCN0432.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Typically building on a ledge or rafter in a barn, the <b>Swallow</b> devotes its entire summer to raising two or three broods. The nest is a mixture of grass and mud. Occasionally they build an unsupported nest against a wall, like a House Martin's, but with an open top. The clutch is of four or five white eggs, with reddish-brown freckles. Unlike the Blackcap, Swallows always migrate across the Sahara each autumn, and many winter as far south as South Africa. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Chaffinch</b>'s cheery song starts in February and heralds another breeding season. The beautifully constructed nest is usually well hidden in a hedge, bush or tree. It is carefully woven of moss and grasses, lined with hair and decorated on the outside with cobwebs and lichens. Four to six eggs are laid, and usually only incubated by the female. The male is illustrated here - females and young have more sober plumage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The <b>Goldfinch</b> also builds a neat, compact nest: usually in a tree or tall bush, and often in a fruit tree. Their twittering song - at its best rich and canary-like - is one of the joys of our garden, heard in any month. We attract them here with a year-round offering of niger seed, supplemented by sunflower hearts from October to April. From July the adults bring their plain-faced young to the feeders, but the gold wing-bar is characteristic from the moment they fledge.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAY8Xr3Wztw/VaoZI1adsPI/AAAAAAAACuw/T-M138hZt70/s1600/DSCN0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAY8Xr3Wztw/VaoZI1adsPI/AAAAAAAACuw/T-M138hZt70/s400/DSCN0440.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not obvious from these photos, a <b>Greenfinch</b> nest is usually much more untidy than a Goldfinch's. They always choose a bush, tree or creeper on a wall, usually between 4 and 15 feet up. Grass and moss are the main materials used, sometimes on a base of small twigs, (though not as much as a Bullfinch's). Hair and feathers are used as lining. Four to six whitish eggs are laid, with some reddish speckles. As with most birds in this post, incubation is about two weeks, as is the fledging time (i.e. the time from hatching to leaving the nest). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A pair of <b>Bullfinches</b> often nest in one of our hedges: when feeding young the pair usually arrive and depart together. The rather untidy, twig-based nest contains five greenish-blue eggs. Only the male is brightly coloured; in most species as dimorphic as this, only the female attends to nesting duties. Two broods are normal. (My thanks to Richard Fitter's classic <i>Pocket Guide to Nests and Eggs</i>, first published 1954, for many of the facts and figures. R.A.Richardson's wonderful illustrations were an important part of my childhood). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Linnet</b> has declined rapidly in Britain; but loose colonies are still common especially in gorse bushes. In June a large flock feeding on local rapeseed surprised me - typical winter behaviour occurring in the breeding season. The nests in this collection belong to Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust; many were donated by Paul Roughley. All were collected after the nesting season. My thanks to the Trust and to Paul. When displaying them at our recent village show, I was asked if I had made all the nests!</span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-11544151372731107862015-05-06T15:26:00.000+01:002015-05-06T15:26:08.191+01:00Costa Rica<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Following on from last year's successful tour, I co-led another <a href="http://www.ornithilidays.co.uk/">Ornitholidays</a> group to Costa Rica in March. We stay in five main centres, at various altitudes and on both Pacific and Caribbean slopes. In the mossy, cool forests of the highlands we found a pair of <b>Resplendent Quetzal</b>s excavating a nest-hole. This is the male, but the female took turns too throwing out beakfuls of rotten wood. This is such a special bird that the Guatemalans have adopted it as their currency. However, they don't seem to value it much: one US dollar buys you (at today's rate) </span><span style="font-size: large;">7.74 quetzals</span><span style="font-size: large;">! As the four corners of the photo suggest, I took this through the telescope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In tropical heat on the Pacific coast, our local guide Herman led us to a roosting pair of <b>Black-and-white Owls </b>at their day-time roost. They are strictly nocturnal, flying after dark to feed on large insects, small rodents and bats. This is another digiscoped image.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ay6FGAo0Kc4/VUoUWhkl-RI/AAAAAAAACr8/yPPepgmGmd0/s1600/Long-tailed%2BSilky-flycatcher%2BH%2B(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ay6FGAo0Kc4/VUoUWhkl-RI/AAAAAAAACr8/yPPepgmGmd0/s1600/Long-tailed%2BSilky-flycatcher%2BH%2B(Large).jpg" height="640" width="356" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Back in the highlands, Herman took this portrait of a <b>Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher</b>, a member of a small American bird-family more closely related to waxwings than to flycatchers. They feed more on berries than insects, and build a beautiful nest of mosses and lichens that is very well camouflaged with the branches that support it. It is the size of a thrush, but with long tail and pointed crest, quite a different shape. This species is one of over 100 that are endemic to Costa Rica and West Panama, though only three or four of these, including two hummingbirds, are strict Costa Rica endemics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here the highland forests are much better preserved than in other Central American countries. Costa Rica, which has no army and so no military expenditure, directs an unusual proportion of its income towards the environment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tanager family is huge and usually colourful. This is the male <b>Passerini's Tanager</b>, a common bird of open country on the Caribbean slope. The female is less brilliant, being olive on the back and orange-buff below. The male's plumage is a velvety-black, making a vivid contrast with the neon-bright scarlet rump. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though primarily a birding tour, we are always happy to watch other wildlife - like this <b>Northern Tamandua</b>. Sometimes known as Lesser Anteater, they feed on ants, termites and bees. Their long, sharp claws are designed to rip open termite nests. This one moved fast in the canopy, on a hunting mission. They are both diurnal and nocturnal, but on hot days they curl up in a ball in the canopy and sleep. I failed to capture any in-focus shots, but luckily Mark was more successful. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kccmf6AsK18/VUodRSANaJI/AAAAAAAACsg/9TS3kVMaHI0/s1600/12.Black%2BIguana%2BSB%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kccmf6AsK18/VUodRSANaJI/AAAAAAAACsg/9TS3kVMaHI0/s1600/12.Black%2BIguana%2BSB%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This strange portrait of a <b>Black Iguana</b> or <b>Ctenosaur</b> is from Carara National Park, on the Pacific coast. These large lizards are great burrowers and climbers, often noisily clambering about on roofs (and sometimes falling off). They frequent fields and savannas more than forest, and are mostly vegetarian. However, birds' eggs and young are also on its menu. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1LmYYbsEM8/VUof_WIIFBI/AAAAAAAACss/4BuF-n-wN18/s1600/17.Rothschildia%2Bsilkmoth%2BSB%2B%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1LmYYbsEM8/VUof_WIIFBI/AAAAAAAACss/4BuF-n-wN18/s1600/17.Rothschildia%2Bsilkmoth%2BSB%2B%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As for invertebrates, some Costa Rica species are huge. This is <b>Rothschild's Silkmoth</b>, which was attracted to a lamp and white sheet at a lodge on the Caribbean slope. Many thanks to Herman and Mark for the two photos; the others are mine. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-87889403747603050462015-04-07T23:02:00.000+01:002015-04-07T23:02:23.565+01:00Mexico<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmbnSkYBW4E/VSRFyrArb9I/AAAAAAAACZ0/JLsDuHEED20/s1600/IMG_0680%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmbnSkYBW4E/VSRFyrArb9I/AAAAAAAACZ0/JLsDuHEED20/s1600/IMG_0680%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of February Clare and I managed to get a holiday! A few days on the Pacific coast of Mexico was perfect. Busman's holiday or what? We still went birding most mornings along a quiet road inland from the beach hotel. Here we found a <b>Black-throated Magpie Jay</b> - or rather several. This is one of the many endemics of the region. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSL5n_IjJs4/VSRHNji2NwI/AAAAAAAACaA/OlQ1-yeT278/s1600/IMG_0208%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HSL5n_IjJs4/VSRHNji2NwI/AAAAAAAACaA/OlQ1-yeT278/s1600/IMG_0208%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also endemic is the <b>Yellow-winged Cacique </b>- very common along this coast. Normally looking well groomed, this one was just having a bad feather day. The feeder at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden was the location here.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR2VaCMIGs/VSRI-UX1DBI/AAAAAAAACaM/dfAd0Px9EGU/s1600/IMG_0217%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR2VaCMIGs/VSRI-UX1DBI/AAAAAAAACaM/dfAd0Px9EGU/s1600/IMG_0217%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> In the same spot, but much more shy and retiring, was this <b>San Blas Jay</b>, which never stopped to feed in the open. Instead, it quickly made off with a beakful and hid. Around San Blas (a town to the north), the jay has become scarce, but there was a family group in our hotel grounds.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlXqoLRjsr8/VSRKa6OBKXI/AAAAAAAACaY/2ebBJ-MOLBA/s1600/IMG_1071%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlXqoLRjsr8/VSRKa6OBKXI/AAAAAAAACaY/2ebBJ-MOLBA/s1600/IMG_1071%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the quiet dirt road where we would stroll as the sun rose. Only once did we see these <b>White-nosed Coatis</b> - but there were 34 of them, all in single file. And, in a hurry. Most mornings we never saw a vehicle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We called it Bunting Road, since we saw four species of bunting along it, mostly feeding on grass seeds. This is the male <b>Blue Bunting</b> - the others were migrant Painted and Varied, and the lovely endemic Orange-breasted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above the grassy verges were a number of gumbo-limbo trees, in fruit. The caciques and this <b>Elegant Trogon</b> would come to feed here - sometimes with the yellow-bellied Citreoline Trogon too. The tree (<i>Bursera simaruba</i>) is also called 'tourist tree' as its sunburnt bark is always peeling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This female <b>Pale-billed Woodpecker</b> lived in the hotel grounds, with its mate. Once we saw them with a pair of very similar Lineated Woodpeckers. Between the four of them they soon made a mess of a rotting tree like this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This <b>Yellow-crowned Night Heron</b> is trying to subdue a small octopus that it found in a rock pool along the beach. At the moment Clare pressed the shutter, its head is totally upside-down, with the neck twisted through 180 degrees. It soon swallowed the unfortunate mollusc. Along the beach we found a number of shorebirds, Heerman's Gulls, Royal Terns, Brown Pelicans and Magnificent Frigatebirds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Banderas Bay is famous as a breeding ground for <b>Humpback Whales</b>. This population migrates up to Alaska in April. There were usually a few mother-and-calf pairs in view in the distance - from just outside our room. Many thanks to Clare for taking the photos and being a great holiday companion! </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-39774602659491282152015-01-09T13:38:00.000+00:002015-01-09T13:38:33.614+00:00Antarctica part 3 - Marine Mammals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNJesiNDpTk/VK-_9bS9BAI/AAAAAAAACXc/tC56BkLp2ik/s1600/Humpback%2Bhead%2B1%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNJesiNDpTk/VK-_9bS9BAI/AAAAAAAACXc/tC56BkLp2ik/s1600/Humpback%2Bhead%2B1%2B(Large).JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Humpback Whales</b> are recovering well from the devastation of the whaling years (from 1904 to 1965). The population that visits the Antarctic Peninsula for six months a year comes south to feed up on the abundant krill. During the southern winter, the whales swim north to warm waters off Brazil and South Africa to breed, where they eat little or nothing. This pair were so busy feeding that they took little notice of our zodiacs. The animal on the right has its head above water: the mouth is clearly visible (and many barnacles....click on the image to enlarge). I find watching Humpbacks even more of a thrill than watching penguins!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptQUI0ddOzU/VK_D0g6UzCI/AAAAAAAACXo/4Ft7eLQu8ZU/s1600/Minke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ptQUI0ddOzU/VK_D0g6UzCI/AAAAAAAACXo/4Ft7eLQu8ZU/s1600/Minke.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Antarctic Minke Whale </b>is much smaller than the Humpback, and usually much shier, but occasionally an inquisitive individual will cause a surprise by nosing up to a zodiac. They also migrate to warmer waters to breed. The Japanese still take over 400 Minkes from Antarctic waters annually for 'scientific' purposes. An interesting theory that I recently heard suggests that if Greenpeace and the IWC (International Whaling Commission) were to stop condemning Japan, then Japan would be likely to announce that their 'scientific' programme is complete and to back off of their own accord.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVRg444YNVk/VK_HlYtThiI/AAAAAAAACX0/XXV8xOqaueU/s1600/Orca%2B%2B%2Bcalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVRg444YNVk/VK_HlYtThiI/AAAAAAAACX0/XXV8xOqaueU/s1600/Orca%2B%2B%2Bcalf.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had various encounters with <b>Orcas</b> or <b>Killer Whales</b> during the two months I spent on board this season. My niece Sarah took this photo when a pod spent time close to the ship. A closer look between the fins of the adults reveals the head of a young calf! Different groups of Orcas have specialized diets: we believe that this is one of the resident Gerlache Strait pods that feeds on seals. Sometimes they ram icebergs with all their weight to try to dislodge sleeping seals. Another population specializes in hunting penguins; while a third targets Minke Whales, tiring them out by preventing them from surfacing to breathe. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mB3SVrBfI6k/VK_KP8B2vPI/AAAAAAAACYA/60XMBm2yhvI/s1600/Elephant%2Bbattle%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mB3SVrBfI6k/VK_KP8B2vPI/AAAAAAAACYA/60XMBm2yhvI/s1600/Elephant%2Bbattle%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the beaches of South Georgia, the main battles of the <b>Elephant Seal</b> beachmasters takes place in October. I took this photo in November, when the largest 12-year-olds were already back at sea after their exhausting month of defending harems, fighting and mating. Nevertheless, these young males were huge and fearsome beasts, and a few were still finding females to mate with. Here the beach was so crowded with seals that the King Penguins had to weave their way between them to reach their colony. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCUNWsLDZ04/VK_MCvLKXRI/AAAAAAAACYM/q0GIbSIKsWg/s1600/Weaners%2BGrytviken%2B1%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCUNWsLDZ04/VK_MCvLKXRI/AAAAAAAACYM/q0GIbSIKsWg/s1600/Weaners%2BGrytviken%2B1%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">These Elephant Seal pups were about ten weeks old when we spent an hour with them as we stood in the shallows, helping passengers onto zodiacs. They were constantly on the move, nuzzling each other, the zodiacs, and our boots. Their mothers wean them at three weeks, but they don't know that! So here they stay, each one patiently waiting for her return, until hunger finally forces them to swim out to sea and learn how to dive and catch fish and squid. An adult's average dive is for 20 minutes, to a depth of about 500 m. Males reach a weight of 3.7 metric tons. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vriPLsWqfLA/VK_TjnCBe6I/AAAAAAAACYc/EYjVlCcvGl4/s1600/Leopard%2BS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vriPLsWqfLA/VK_TjnCBe6I/AAAAAAAACYc/EYjVlCcvGl4/s1600/Leopard%2BS.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Leopard Seal </b>is a predator that all our passengers hope to see. Armed with a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth, they specialize in catching penguins in the water, but their diet includes squid, krill, fish and young Crabeater Seals too. The combination of long neck and large head makes even a distant Leopard easy to identify on an ice floe - if it's facing sideways!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0RPqxO0o5Y/VK_VYvIKkNI/AAAAAAAACYo/0YkZHcKqKLI/s1600/Weddell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0RPqxO0o5Y/VK_VYvIKkNI/AAAAAAAACYo/0YkZHcKqKLI/s1600/Weddell.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Weddell Seals</b> are best identified by mottled pelage, large rotund body and small head. While most Antarctic mammals and birds depend on krill for their food, Weddells feed mainly on fish, diving to great depths and often feeding under ice. At Deception Island in November we came across a Weddell Seal feeding an albino pup: pure white, with pink flippers. Unfortunately it is likely to have a short life at sea, as it certain to be conspicuous to predators. It may also have problems with weak eyesight. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f58A7G46x2w/VK_XpoujhZI/AAAAAAAACY0/vgi8BMyat2s/s1600/Crabeaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f58A7G46x2w/VK_XpoujhZI/AAAAAAAACY0/vgi8BMyat2s/s1600/Crabeaters.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, the region's most abundant mammal: the <b>Crabeater Seal</b>. We often see these seals hauled out on ice-floes, usually looking slender, elongated, and plain buff in colour. Misnamed by early sealers, Crabbies feed only on krill. They feed mostly at night, when they are vulnerable to attacks by Orcas and Leopard Seals. Making estimates of their population has proved difficult: totals from 10 to 75 million have been proposed. My usual thanks go to those who have provided photos to share. </span><br />
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Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-9585418778154345832015-01-08T13:39:00.000+00:002015-01-08T13:42:04.448+00:00Antarctica - part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKkvtWUbSI0/VK56Tlud5KI/AAAAAAAACWU/HJpolkQ2R7Q/s1600/Southern%2BRoyal%2BAlbatross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKkvtWUbSI0/VK56Tlud5KI/AAAAAAAACWU/HJpolkQ2R7Q/s1600/Southern%2BRoyal%2BAlbatross.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My last blog was all penguins. Now for three albatrosses. What a contrast - the non-fliers and the constant-fliers! This adult <b>Southern Royal Albatross</b> is taking a break from nesting this year, since it's half a world away from its nesting grounds on Campbell Island, off New Zealand. My staff colleague Bruce took this portrait in the Drake Passage, south of Tierra del Fuego.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">These great albatrosses (with wingspan of up to 3.5 m) are such masters of air currents that they hardly need to flap their wings, and spend the non-breeding years constantly circumnavigating the globe at latitudes of about 50 degrees South. Their breeding population is estimated at 8,500 pairs. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jYYNflZJ92c/VK587Ot4YRI/AAAAAAAACWg/e0PwI-Fh2Cw/s1600/Wand%2BAlb%2Bfeeding%2Bchick%2B1%2B(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jYYNflZJ92c/VK587Ot4YRI/AAAAAAAACWg/e0PwI-Fh2Cw/s1600/Wand%2BAlb%2Bfeeding%2Bchick%2B1%2B(Large).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Wandering Albatross</b> is a very close relative of the Royal. Here we see a fully grown juvenile begging for food from a parent - on its nest on Prion Island, off South Georgia. It takes a pair of Wanderers a whole year to complete a nesting cycle - three months of egg and nine months of chick in nest. So when half-grown this chick will have endured a harsh winter of snowfalls and gales. Once it fledges, it must learn to fly and catch squid by itself - its parents have finished their work, and now take a year off to roam the southern ocean.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BD0smq02lI/VK5_OEKKOvI/AAAAAAAACWs/QIMyBkGpDwU/s1600/Light-mantled%2BAlbatross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BD0smq02lI/VK5_OEKKOvI/AAAAAAAACWs/QIMyBkGpDwU/s1600/Light-mantled%2BAlbatross.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Also in the same family, but far smaller and darker, is the elegant <b>Light-mantled Sooty Albatross</b>, another emblem of the South Georgia region. Breeding sites echo to the sound of their mournful cries, as pairs pass alongside the cliffs in synchronized flight. The large head, white eye-ring, and pointed tail are characteristic. Unlike their larger relatives, sooties can raise a chick each year. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCgAowxYUUA/VK6C1vckZzI/AAAAAAAACXA/iKWofFIMtEs/s1600/S%2BGiant%2BPetrel%2Bwhite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCgAowxYUUA/VK6C1vckZzI/AAAAAAAACXA/iKWofFIMtEs/s1600/S%2BGiant%2BPetrel%2Bwhite.JPG" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Petrels are close relatives of albatrosses; and there's not much size difference between a sooty albatross and this <b>Southern Giant Petrel</b>. This is one of the white morph that occurs in small numbers among the more common grey-coloured giant petrels. Here seen on nesting grounds in the South Shetlands, giant petrels nest in loose colonies and are easily disturbed while breeding. I took this photo with my Nikon Coolpix through the telescope. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EGxgml_o3s/VK6CM3bBhLI/AAAAAAAACW4/Ho2TrJ9TN08/s1600/Cape%2BPetrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EGxgml_o3s/VK6CM3bBhLI/AAAAAAAACW4/Ho2TrJ9TN08/s1600/Cape%2BPetrel.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cape Petrels are often firm favourites with passengers in the Drake Passage, as they follow ships in friendly gangs, riding the air currents for hours and often passing conveniently at deck height. They are also known as Pintado, the Spanish name for 'painted,' since the white back seems to be splashed with black paint. The scientific name <i>Daption</i> is an anagram of Pintado, and has no latin root. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiAEG0hVx84/VK6Fpka4KSI/AAAAAAAACXM/JovOJSslT3g/s1600/Antarctic%2BShag%2BXmas%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiAEG0hVx84/VK6Fpka4KSI/AAAAAAAACXM/JovOJSslT3g/s1600/Antarctic%2BShag%2BXmas%2B(Large).JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we were happy to see that <b>Antarctic Shags</b> had hatched their chicks well before Christmas. These beautiful cormorants nest in small colonies, and can raise three chicks in a good year. The nests are used each summer for decades, perhaps centuries, and comprise fresh seaweed bound with guano. While krill is the preferred food of most Antarctic birds, shags supplement this with small fish. Many thanks to One Ocean staff and passengers for the use of their images. Next time, some Antarctic mammals..... </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-22562385292545827342015-01-07T16:45:00.000+00:002015-01-07T16:45:23.050+00:00Penguins! The Essence of Antarctica!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CS4fhEok7EM/VK1YbYcCZhI/AAAAAAAACVA/o5L4jdnSmKA/s1600/King%2BPenguins%2BSalisbury%2B(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CS4fhEok7EM/VK1YbYcCZhI/AAAAAAAACVA/o5L4jdnSmKA/s1600/King%2BPenguins%2BSalisbury%2B(Large).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am recently back from two months on board ship with <a href="http://www.oneoceanexpeditions.com/">One Ocean Expeditions</a>, with four groups of passengers. All four voyages visited the Antarctic Peninsula; the first two also visited Falklands and South Georgia. One of the most special experiences is the <b>King Penguin </b>colony at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia, which has an estimated 60,000 breeding pairs. Here most of the downy chicks (9 months old) are cooling off by flattening themselves on the cold ground, since they soon feel the heat when the sun shines. (Click on the image to enlarge.) </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKIlmpi7rLQ/VK1aHPt8SXI/AAAAAAAACVM/t-3dKaebwHA/s1600/Black-browed%2BAlb%2B%26%2BRockhoppers%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dKIlmpi7rLQ/VK1aHPt8SXI/AAAAAAAACVM/t-3dKaebwHA/s1600/Black-browed%2BAlb%2B%26%2BRockhoppers%2B(Large).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Rockhopper Penguins</b> on Westpoint Island in the Falklands choose to nest among Black-browed Albatrosses. When a predator flies over, such as skua, caracara or Turkey Vulture, the long-necked albatrosses help to keep it at a distance. In November the albatrosses were incubating a single egg, while the Rockhoppers had two.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MuNWky5Kt10/VK1bQUZaV5I/AAAAAAAACVY/gKkWUPGq0ms/s1600/Macaronis%2BElephant%2BIsl%2B(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MuNWky5Kt10/VK1bQUZaV5I/AAAAAAAACVY/gKkWUPGq0ms/s1600/Macaronis%2BElephant%2BIsl%2B(Large).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Macaroni Penguins</b> are the world's most abundant penguin, but it's easy to miss them in South Georgia as most of their colonies are on the inaccessible southern side. On our first voyage, we were lucky enough to watch them from zodiacs at a small colony on the east side of Elephant Island, though it was hard to keep bins and cameras steady in the swell. Macaronis lay two eggs, though it is rare for the first one to hatch. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZO8qCGeuOk/VK1c141gxnI/AAAAAAAACVk/Sie_jsJnGjw/s1600/Adelies%2BBrown%2BBluff%2B2%2B(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZO8qCGeuOk/VK1c141gxnI/AAAAAAAACVk/Sie_jsJnGjw/s1600/Adelies%2BBrown%2BBluff%2B2%2B(Large).jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Down on the Antarctic Peninsula, we had a great day for visiting the <b>Adelie Penguins</b>. This group were heading away from their nests, towards a stretch of shore clear of icebergs. As with all penguins, males and females share the nesting duties and regularly take turns with incubating and feeding young. The decline of Adelies on the Antarctic Peninsula is linked to a reduction in winter sea-ice. Krill, their staple food, feeds on algae under the sea-ice. In the Ross Sea, the vast Adelie colonies are stable as they are much further south, where the ice levels remain unchanged. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qESTDXQX8G4/VK1eqmpiwII/AAAAAAAACVw/fLv3RXKkW8o/s1600/Chinstrap%2B%2B%2Bstone%2B2%2B(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qESTDXQX8G4/VK1eqmpiwII/AAAAAAAACVw/fLv3RXKkW8o/s1600/Chinstrap%2B%2B%2Bstone%2B2%2B(Large).jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This <b>Chinstrap Penguin </b>is busy bringing another stone to the nest, essential for keeping the nest-base well drained. Eggs laid on snow, ice or mud fail to hatch. In a good year, both eggs hatch and two chicks may fledge. Hatching occurs around Christmas, with the youngsters taking their first dip two months later. At this time Leopard Seals are likely to be patrolling the shallows, looking out for first-time swimmers. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQiYg5BHS4M/VK1gmkwxczI/AAAAAAAACV8/OnnsKtp5R1k/s1600/Gentoo%2BXmas%2Bchick%2B(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQiYg5BHS4M/VK1gmkwxczI/AAAAAAAACV8/OnnsKtp5R1k/s1600/Gentoo%2BXmas%2Bchick%2B(Large).JPG" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, a photo from Christmas Eve. This <b>Gentoo Penguin</b> had just hatched both chicks on a good stone-based nest. The chicks will be fed at regular intervals by regurgitation. In February they are nearly fully grown, very mobile and inquisitive, frequently walking up to visitors and pecking at rubber boots, cameras and gloves. In my next post, I will feature some of the region's flying birds. </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-659324524228498992014-10-23T15:31:00.000+01:002014-10-23T15:31:25.200+01:00PAPUA NEW GUINEA - People and scenes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kibDhRarG18/VEj_6WiXGkI/AAAAAAAACTA/uYp1-L9EO_E/s1600/68.Funeral%2BJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kibDhRarG18/VEj_6WiXGkI/AAAAAAAACTA/uYp1-L9EO_E/s1600/68.Funeral%2BJ.JPG" height="207" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We came across this amazing funeral procession during our first day in the highlands. (Click on the image to enlarge). The men have smeared face and torso with yellow clay. They were so pre-occupied that no-one noticed our vehicle going past. The funeral was for a local business man who had recently been taken ill in Port Moresby. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP3IrtlF2cc/VEkBmez6vPI/AAAAAAAACTU/8PgvXh91X8o/s1600/49.Max%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP3IrtlF2cc/VEkBmez6vPI/AAAAAAAACTU/8PgvXh91X8o/s1600/49.Max%2BB.JPG" height="258" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At our first lodge we spent time with Max, local birder and orchid-grower. Living not far from the lodge, he invites guests for a tour of his orchid garden, which he has built up over several years. He has 200 species, and knows most of their scientific names.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">He also helped us find several birds of paradise and many other strange species such as ploughbill, ifrit, melampitta and bowerbird.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZYa7_PZQa4/VEkDpa22mcI/AAAAAAAACTg/EyMzXc_VeDI/s1600/83.River%2Bvillage%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZYa7_PZQa4/VEkDpa22mcI/AAAAAAAACTg/EyMzXc_VeDI/s1600/83.River%2Bvillage%2BB.JPG" height="203" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Temperature and humidity were quite different at the next place, a lodge in the Sepik lowlands in the north. We spent mornings and evenings out on the river, keeping cool in the breeze and watching flights of lorikeets, cockatoos, imperial pigeons and birds of prey. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHYTTPgei2Q/VEkE0LMPHII/AAAAAAAACTs/2xOp8b5DJAc/s1600/90.Spear%2Bfishing%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHYTTPgei2Q/VEkE0LMPHII/AAAAAAAACTs/2xOp8b5DJAc/s1600/90.Spear%2Bfishing%2BB.JPG" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The river is full of fish including the delicious barramundi. Boys learn to spear them from a young age. The kites, herons, egrets, darters and cormorants also had fishing in mind, though when we were there river levels were very high. There were few places for herons to perch. We had a spectacular thunderstorm that lasted most of one night.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz20SN-ARW4/VEkGQRLtuiI/AAAAAAAACT4/ArQf4aeUvYY/s1600/93.Ambua%2BLodge%2BS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz20SN-ARW4/VEkGQRLtuiI/AAAAAAAACT4/ArQf4aeUvYY/s1600/93.Ambua%2BLodge%2BS.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> A speedy charter flight soon had us back in the highlands. We spent four nights at the beautiful Ambua Lodge, where many species of birds of paradise feed in the garden. From here it's a short drive up to the tree-line at 2800 m, but most of the time we stayed near the lodge and explored its magnificent Waterfall Trail.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fq2LECoytuM/VEkIV5_FuRI/AAAAAAAACUE/lj8w_WiB67k/s1600/96.Torrent-lark%2Bspot%2BS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fq2LECoytuM/VEkIV5_FuRI/AAAAAAAACUE/lj8w_WiB67k/s1600/96.Torrent-lark%2Bspot%2BS.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The river that flows through the lodge grounds has many impressive waterfalls, and quieter stretches like this. Here I saw a Torrent-lark, a New Guinea endemic that had eluded me on previous trips. I took this shot from one of the three suspension</span><span style="font-size: large;"> bridges - all built by a bare-footed forester whom we met with his umbrella (but no machete).</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYSlSmuO6Y4/VEkKXiw1WoI/AAAAAAAACUY/xNKJ-Ol59PE/s1600/IMGP0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mYSlSmuO6Y4/VEkKXiw1WoI/AAAAAAAACUY/xNKJ-Ol59PE/s1600/IMGP0094.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQY6wj7Gq6Y/VEkJ_zXjrBI/AAAAAAAACUQ/rnl4cDAfIek/s1600/98.Bridge%2Bbuilder%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQY6wj7Gq6Y/VEkJ_zXjrBI/AAAAAAAACUQ/rnl4cDAfIek/s1600/98.Bridge%2Bbuilder%2BB.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The wood is all lashed together with strong lianas - all cut locally. Both bridge and builder deserve a photo of their own! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygWBUkM7R7Y/VEkM6y4a_5I/AAAAAAAACUk/QM_V1ndWf04/s1600/57.Singsing%2BS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygWBUkM7R7Y/VEkM6y4a_5I/AAAAAAAACUk/QM_V1ndWf04/s1600/57.Singsing%2BS.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the highlights of a visit to Ambua is an opportunity to watch the local Huli people perform their traditional war-dance. Traditionally this was a prelude to battle with neighbours, usually over land, women, or pigs. Between them they are wearing a frightening number of bird of paradise and lorikeet feathers! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIKhQ1XeCn4/VEkOZToXeLI/AAAAAAAACUw/WdPrnTNAgx8/s1600/60.Wigman%2BJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIKhQ1XeCn4/VEkOZToXeLI/AAAAAAAACUw/WdPrnTNAgx8/s1600/60.Wigman%2BJ.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yellow and red clay is smeared on the face. The black 'hat' is in fact a ceremonial wig made of hair which is grown and cut at a local wig-school. The blue feathers are the breast feathers of the Superb Bird of Paradise, with lorikeet feathers above. Now that they are forbidden by law to fight with their neighbours, </span><span style="font-size: large;">they keep their culture alive at annual shows, school openings, etc. </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518846393344863287.post-62755969137312645652014-10-22T13:06:00.000+01:002014-10-22T13:06:15.311+01:00PAPUA NEW GUINEA - More birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77L7aABCWyrJyljKZKZyD-hKZdYcZoW2Bj6CRWdoNXjr7_jOznzF_DAf34IS03aVFmYYu7Mn3iWu8NBQyCJi3cJzODJr_sg3mhM77tg-xhJhsaLqfjYe0LJd0aphjDx0yVIvef3vsDdN4/s1600/13.Brehm's%2BTiger-Parrot%2BJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77L7aABCWyrJyljKZKZyD-hKZdYcZoW2Bj6CRWdoNXjr7_jOznzF_DAf34IS03aVFmYYu7Mn3iWu8NBQyCJi3cJzODJr_sg3mhM77tg-xhJhsaLqfjYe0LJd0aphjDx0yVIvef3vsDdN4/s1600/13.Brehm's%2BTiger-Parrot%2BJ.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Further to my last post about Birds of Paradise, here are a few more PNG birds. <b>Brehm's Tiger-Parrots</b> live in highland forest, and in a few places become confiding visitors to bird feeders, where they enjoy papaya and pineapple. They have a comical way of moving down a branch: by a series of jumps alternately facing left and right. Tiger-Parrots are a group of four species endemic to the New Guinea mountains, staying under the canopy of forest and never flying over it. This is the largest: 23 cm. We got to know its plaintive <i>ee-yore</i> call. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gAXIu-lKKA/VEeLtsl2ZDI/AAAAAAAACR4/uq7UuKX_MRg/s1600/17.Barred%2BOwlet-nightjar%2BS%26J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4gAXIu-lKKA/VEeLtsl2ZDI/AAAAAAAACR4/uq7UuKX_MRg/s1600/17.Barred%2BOwlet-nightjar%2BS%26J.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Owlet-nightjars are a small family (neither owls nor nightjars) almost endemic to Australia and New Guinea. Swifts and hummingbirds are (surprisingly) their closest relatives. This is the forest-dwelling <b>Barred Owlet-nightjar</b>. As it peered out of its hole, it somehow reminded me of an Aye-aye. They feed only at night on insects taken by pouncing on the ground or in flight. Not much is known about the nesting ecology of this species, but its repeated yapping call could be mistaken for a small dog's.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiKzuIPHK6M/VEeOebzkCBI/AAAAAAAACSE/ouNG8cvF3TY/s1600/21.Blue-capped%2BIfrita%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UiKzuIPHK6M/VEeOebzkCBI/AAAAAAAACSE/ouNG8cvF3TY/s1600/21.Blue-capped%2BIfrita%2BB.JPG" height="396" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's another bird that has been confusing taxonomists. The <b>Blue-capped Ifrit</b> (formerly Ifrita) used to be classed as a babbler, but is now placed in its own family (between monarchs and drongos). It behaves like a nuthatch, exploring lichens, mosses and epiphytes on cloud forest trees. In the sun, the blue cap is as brilliant as any hummingbird. It lays a single egg in a bulky nest of moss and plant material. Its rising and falling song has the quality of a child's squeaky toy. The word <i>ifrit</i> is Arabic for a spirit or djinn. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGYMDRpdqUQ/VEeQ9KOpHzI/AAAAAAAACSQ/AoTG__nuz0Y/s1600/25.Regent%2BWhistler%2B%E2%99%82%2BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGYMDRpdqUQ/VEeQ9KOpHzI/AAAAAAAACSQ/AoTG__nuz0Y/s1600/25.Regent%2BWhistler%2B%E2%99%82%2BB.JPG" height="351" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This male <b>Regent Whistler </b>was photographed in the same forest garden as the Ifrit, at 2800 m. When two males meet each other, they can expand the yellow nape patch in defiance and sing a loud whistling song. Related to the whistlers are the pitohuis, a group of New Guinea passerines whose skin, flesh and feathers have recently been found to be poisonous, thanks to a beetle that forms part of their diet. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcT2peRimfY/VEeTk5IQH9I/AAAAAAAACSc/JIeoPl_UWRE/s1600/26.Belford's%2BMelidectes%2BJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcT2peRimfY/VEeTk5IQH9I/AAAAAAAACSc/JIeoPl_UWRE/s1600/26.Belford's%2BMelidectes%2BJ.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also up in the cloud forest lives <b>Belford's Melidectes</b>, a large honeyeater. They are common, conspicuous, noisy and bullying towards smaller birds such as tiger-parrots, which they chase away from a food source. Their varied notes, both clear piping and harsh cawing, were often our morning alarm calls. The nest is a cup of twigs and moss; but despite their abundance the egg is still undescribed. Melidectes means 'receiver of honey' in Greek.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMsRG2_kN3c/VEeVrVKO29I/AAAAAAAACSk/pbDbv1xeC4A/s1600/32.Bower%2Bof%2BMacGregor's%2BBowerbird%2BJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UMsRG2_kN3c/VEeVrVKO29I/AAAAAAAACSk/pbDbv1xeC4A/s1600/32.Bower%2Bof%2BMacGregor's%2BBowerbird%2BJ.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A birdless photo here, but instead the bower of <b>MacGregor's Bowerbird</b>. The owner made it quite clear he was too shy to pose in the picture. Up on a ridge at 2100 m, we came across this 'maypole bower' of small twigs built up around a small sapling with a mossy 'running track' around it. The male may decorate it with berries and fungi. The male - a stocky brown bird of 26 cm with a flattened orange crest - spends most of the day near the bower; while the crest-less female has to attend to all nesting duties on her own. Maintaining that bower is a full-time job!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrRr_-9gh_ThJF8L6fZ7U2sJc1OAEMcx7r7PoNIiS6meYBznzpkyPsFa_Z6FKOSHoFBAjZvSRECgd18FS_s3f4fnmTLTMWjwW_txgPu2EsB9ypK3Y3ZDX69ckcRnGzS9wN3vmnrX8bvaT/s1600/6.Plumed+Whistling+Duck+J.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrRr_-9gh_ThJF8L6fZ7U2sJc1OAEMcx7r7PoNIiS6meYBznzpkyPsFa_Z6FKOSHoFBAjZvSRECgd18FS_s3f4fnmTLTMWjwW_txgPu2EsB9ypK3Y3ZDX69ckcRnGzS9wN3vmnrX8bvaT/s1600/6.Plumed+Whistling+Duck+J.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, not all our PNG tour was within forest. We spent time in savanna, and boating along a river in the Sepik lowlands, in the north of the country. Near Port Moresby our first outing was to a campus where two lakes held a variety of duck, cormorants, herons and egrets, plus grebe, jacana, and swamphen among much else. This group of <b>Plumed Whistling-Duck</b> were non-breeding visitors from Australia, which is only a short flight across the Torres Strait. Thanks again to Jenny and Bryan for these photos. Soon I will post a few PNG landscapes and some of its more colourful human residents! </span></div>
Simon Boyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15395482815082586537noreply@blogger.com0