Caribbean Birds

Earlier this year I spent a few days in the warm Caribbean with my oldest daughter Melissa, and was able to add a few new species of birds to my ever growing birding "life list".  We made stops in beautiful Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Lucia, St John, St. Marten, St Kitts, and Barbados.

Bananaquit  (St. Lucia)
 This pretty bird is found on several of the islands
throughout the Caribbean 

St Lucian Pewee
The St Lucian Pewee is only found on St Lucia.  He's one of six endemic species on the island.

Barbados Bullfinch
The male and female bird both look similar unlike most couples, and these are only found on Barbados.  
They are the only endemic bird on the island.

Lesser Antillean Bullfinch - male  (St Lucia)

Lesser Antillean Bullfinch - female  (St Lucia)

Gray Trembler (St Lucia)

Scaly-breasted Thrasher (St Kitts)

Pearly-eyed Thrasher (St John USVI)

Brown Booby 
These can be seen throughout the Caribbean

Masked Booby (at Sea)

Another look at the Masked Booby (at sea)

Monk Parakeet (Puerto Rico)

Black-faced Grassquit - male  (St Kitts)

Black-faced Grassquit - female  (St Kitts)

Green-throated Carib (Barbados)

Purple-throated Carib (St Lucia)

Antillean Crested Hummingbird (St Kitts) 
 This isn't the best shot, as he was very, very far away.

Gray Kingbird 
These can be found on many of the Caribbean islands.

Carib Grackle (Barbados)

Greater- Antillean Grackle (San Juan Puerto)

Brown Pelican (St Thomas)

Magnificent Frigatebird
This big bird can be seen soaring throughout the Caribbean

White-winged Dove (San Juan Puerto)

Zenaida Dove (San Juan Puerto)

Common Ground Dove (St. Thomas)

Great Egret (St Thomas)

Cattle Egret
I saw these on several islands.

Belted Kingfisher (St Thomas)

American Kestrel (St Kitts)

Sanderling (Barbados)

Barbados Green Monkey 

My daughter Melissa on our mother-daughter trip.
Thanks for looking for birds with me!

Around My Yard: Summer 2018

It has been a hot and dry summer here in Oregon, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying all that nature has to offer.

I'm always amazed at everything I find just wandering around our five acres with my poodle everyday.  

This is Wilson my partner in crime.  
Rain or Shine, this poodle demands his two walks daily whether I'm ready or not!

Anna's Hummingbird
 These tiny little birds are so dainty, yet so colorful.

Black-headed Grosbeak
I have a whole family of these birds this year.

Spotted Towhee (Baby)
I normally don't see the young ones around, but this year I had several!

A pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks sitting in the tree. 
You can't miss their loud call.

Western Wood Pewee
I love flycatchers.  It's so interesting how they always go back and forth to their perch.

Bullocks Oriole
This is the first year I've seen these colorful birds in my tree.  

Evening Grosbeak
I have a pair that come back every year for a visit.

Wrentit
I heard this guys song before he was spotted.  I didn't see his friend, but he could be heard as well.

Belted Kingfisher
This loud mouth has been hanging around all year.  See his tongue!

Honeybee on my pretty flowers
 These are the good bees!

California Scrub Jay (baby)
I love all the baby birds.  Look how soft this one looks.  Don't you just want to touch it?

Eurasian Collared-Dove
This guy is perched at the top of our cherry tree.  It must me a good vantage point.

Hairy Woodpecker
I never get tired of seeing woodpeckers.

Lazuli Bunting
This is the first time this bright colored bird visited my feeder.  
I was pretty excited about that.

Lesser Goldfinch
They are such happy little birds.

Wilson, the gentle giant, getting to know my daughters little kittens.
Isn't that cute!

Around My Yard: In April

As the saying goes, "April showers, bring May flowers", but not here in Oregon this year.  It's been a beautiful April, with just enough rain to keep everything green and pretty.  I love the assortment of flowers that have begun to blossom, the baby animals that are running around with their mommy's and daddy's, and the many variety of birds singing in the trees.  I'm thankful for God's gift of nature.

 

 This fawn is pure cuteness!

Mom

Eurasian Collared-Dove



Red-winged Blackbird



This Gray Squirrel doesn't seem to be bothered by me in the least!



Orange-crowned Warbler

I saw many Sparrows . . .

Gold Crowned Sparrow

House Sparrow

 

Song Sparrow

  

As well as many colorful Finches.

American Goldfinch

House Finch

This Western Fence Lizard enjoyed our warm sunny days.

Western Fence Lizard

Western Fence Lizard

Beautiful flowers are blooming.


Lilacs (Syringa) - So fragrant and pretty!



This adorable tiny Rufous Hummingbird couldn't stay away, and he brought several of his friends too.

Rufous Hummingbird

To learn more about this beautiful little bird, visit my blog post:

The Feisty and Colorful Rufous Hummingbird

More pure cuteness!

Pretty sunsets