In February I went to Georgetown, Grand Cayman, to teach a week-long course at St. Matthews University. Every night we ate dinner at a different restaurant on the water watching the sunset over the ocean.
Here are some of the birds we saw. Look for my EOY post in the main forum for my photos of the herps of the Caymans, including Blue Iguanas.
Frigate Bird
Cayman Parrot
White-crowned Pigeon
We flew to Cayman Brac for one night.
Brown Booby
On The Brac there are limestone bluffs that contain shallow caves.
Native Barn Owls live in some of the caves but they are very shy and difficult to approach.
In September I visited the Pantanal of Brazil. Look for my EOY post in the main forum for the herps (frogs, red-footed tortoise, a few snakes), and in the mammals forum for the mammals we saw (jaguars, giant river otters, giant anteaters, tapirs, capybaras, howler monkeys).
We saw far more birds in Brazil than herps or mammals, over 150 species without trying very hard.
Most magnificent were the Hyacinth Macaws.
Red and Green Macaws, rarely seen.
Yellow collared Macaws
White-eyed Parakeet
Nanday Parakeet
Black Skimmers
Rhea
Toco Toucans
Lineated Woodpecker
Cocoi Heron
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Jabiru Stork nest with Monk Parakeet colony in the basement
Jabiru Storks
Monk Parakeets
White Woodpecker
Chicken-sized Chaco Chachalaca, with cleavage.
A Collared Forest Falcon nailed a Chaco Chachalaca in midair right next to our truck.
Great Potoo, a nightjar camouflaged to look like a tree branch during the day.
Chestnut-eared Aracari
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Black-capped Donocobius
Jabiru Stork
Amazon Kingfisher
Blue-crowned Trogon
Black-collared hawk
Chestnut-bellied Guan
Large-billed Terns
Southern Lapwing. Note the carpal spurs, used in combat and defense.
Yellow-rumped Caciques
Southern Screamers
Neotropic Cormorant and armored catfish
Campo Flicker
Wild Muscovy Duck
Red-legged Seriema, convergent evolution with Africa’s Secretary Bird.
White-faced Whistling Ducks
We also visited Iguazu Falls.
Scaly-headed Parrot
Red-breasted Toucan
Green-headed Tanager
Swallow Tanager
Thanks for looking.
Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Moderator: Scott Waters
- Steve Barten
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- PrimitiveTim
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Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
I'm not a bird person but this is insane! I didn't realize barn owls lived in the islands.
Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Again, great post. Your photography in incredible with the birds.
- Crimson King
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Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Fantastic! Thanks for posting this.
:Mark
:Mark
Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Truly SPECTACULAR birds and bird photography!!!
Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Such bright and beautiful colors! I love it.
Re: Birds of the Cayman Islands and Pantanal, Brazil
Steve,
Your avian photography is amazing. Were you on a guided trip to the Pantanal?
Your avian photography is amazing. Were you on a guided trip to the Pantanal?