beautiful birds visit

This morning we got an unexpected visit from a pair of beautiful scarlet macaws.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

stills of stilts

Dainty black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus) wade in the serene shallow waters of the Wetlands Reserve. Note the impressionist style of these photos.

 Birdwatching is a relaxing activity one can enjoy at Paya Bay Resort.

photo of the day

A tropical bird visits the Ananda Yoga Pavilion. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

birds of paya

Photos of beautiful wetlands birds I photographed here at Paya this past week.

This crabcatcher pretty much resides here on the property. It has become accustomed to me and my camera and allows me to get pretty close to take photos. I love its expressive eyes! Note the heavy, sturdy beak for breaking crab shells.

migratory birds

With the onset of autumn in North America we start seeing new species of migratory birds who either winter here in the islands or are simply making a rest stop on their travels further south.

my buddy, Peace

White-crowned pigeons (Columba leucocephala) are notoriously skittish birds and usually take flight as soon as a person appears nearby. This one, however, is not shy at all and seems to love to hang in a sea grape tree near my apartment's balcony. Whenever I appear, he (or she) always eyes me intently for about ten seconds and then resumes his (her) grooming, stopping every so often to stare intently some more and assess the situation. Eventually he (she) completely relaxes and focuses nearly completely on the preening, which is an activity performed with closed eyes. The trust is flattering and makes me feel all "Tarzan." I've named him (her) Peace.

photo of the day

The hummingbirds loving the feeder.

a little bird's song

I was just walking back from Lil Bay Beach and recorded this on my cell phone. I'm not sure what bird sings this little song, but it is one of my favorites. Always makes me smile.

hummingbirds

Literally, several dozen of these little 'helicopters' visit our feeders everyday. They're especially plentiful in the early mornings and right before dusk. They've become quite accustomed to humans and are usually oblivious by one's presence.

and then there were two

It seems that Gio, the wild white-crowned pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) that hangs out in the early mornings in the sea grape tree near my apartment, has convinced one of his buddies that it's okay to be near humans. While vigilant, they seem a lot less anxious, and even feel safe enough to preen themselves. It used to be that they would fly off as soon as I opened the door. Seeing them in the mornings gives a boost of good energy.

wetland birdlife

Spotted this beautiful specimen in the Wetlands Reserve today. Anyone know the species?

hummingbirds

Dozens of these tiny, beautiful birds visit our feeders everyday. They are fascinating to watch.

white-crowned pigeon

A flock of threatened white-crowned pigeons (Patagioenas leucocephala) make their home at Paya Bay. The birds can be seen and heard in early morning before they head out on their daily foraging flights, and in the late afternoon when they return to roost. These very shy birds usually bolt at the first sight of a human. This male seemed curious about me and hung around long enough to for me to take several photos.

wetlands reserve birds

Dainty. Elegant. Beautiful.

wetlands reserve birds

Could someone help me identify these birds? Your reward: a 10% discount on a future stay at Paya Bay. (Genus, species, common name, range.) Use the comments feature to submit your information.

our wetlands

There is quite a variety of landscapes to be found at Paya Bay. One of my favorites is our wetland area that is behind and parallel to the Big Beach. In the mornings when I go for my run on our new jogging path I see many species of aquatic birds feeding in the shallow water. In this photo, for example, two white cranes can be seen in the background. It's a very peaceful and beautiful area.