Black iguanas on the rocks

 Protected as they are on the property, Paya Bay Resort is home to a thriving population of black iguanas. They can often be spotted sunning on the rocky shorelines between the beaches.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Winter visitors

This cold weather season the pelicans showed up once again to spend their winter at Paya Bay. This winter more of them showed up than usual (about twelve individuals from two different species).

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

A plethora of beautiful butterflies!

 We are currently experiencing an abundance of these colorful swallow-tailed butterflies on the property. Depending on the angle from which they are viewed, the iridescent scales on their wings shift colors from electric blue to electric green and even turquoise and yellow tones. Beautiful!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Honduras.

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

I spotted this juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) doing day duty in the Wetlands Reserve area of the property. With acres of undisturbed nature to explore, Paya Bay is a great place for birdwatching.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

The day of the green iguana

Spotted this beautiful green iguana earlier today in a coconut tree near my apartment.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

the birds and the bees

Our feeder by the restaurant is popular with the hummingbirds and the bees!

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

Photos: Mariajosse Martinez, Majo Photography

pelican in the bay

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

photo of the day

Geckos inside a trail light. Photo by Riley S. Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

seagrape wildlife

The other day I was noticing the wildlife in the seagrape tree outside my apartment. These photos show white-winged doves (Zenaida asiatica) and the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Since the animals on the property are largely protected from hunters and poachers, the resort acts as a wildlife refuge. Whether you are aware of it or not, wherever you got at Paya Bay there are always cute, friendly, curious, tropical animals watching you.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

the magic of paya

A few weeks ago I noticed a couple of white-crowned pigeons (Patagioenas leucocephala) had made their nest in an eye-level coconut tree right off our main deck.

More recently I noticed the eggs had hatched and the chicks seemed quite well-fed and healthy.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.

black spiny-tailed iguanas

Paya Bay is a refuge for the Black Spiny-Tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura oedirhina). These ancient, rugged lizards can be spotted on the rocky shoreline they have adapted to inhabit. A male and female of the species can be appreciated in these photos.

Paya Bay Resort, Roatan, Bay Islands of Honduras.