 IMG_2236b.JPGThese three Blue-Headed Quail-Doves walked up near the blind where we were standing, but we dared not use a flash on our cameras for fear of scaring them away. |
 IMG_2242b.JPGThe Blue-headed Quail-Doves, as well as other birds, came up to us along this long, tree-covered lane. |
 IMG_2244b.JPGBlue-Headed Quail-Dove at Bermeja Wildlife Refuge
Bermejas, Cuba
March 21, 2016 |
 IMG_2251b.JPGBlue-Headed Quail-Doves at Bermeja Wildlife Refuge |
 IMG_2257b.JPGBlue-Headed Quail-Dove at Bermeja Wildlife Refuge |
 IMG_2260b.JPGBlue-Headed Quail-Dove at Bermeja Wildlife Refuge |
 IMG_2282b.JPGZenaida Dove at Bermeja Wildlife Refuge |
 DSC_0801b.JPGBack out on a nearby road, we found this sleepy Cuban Pygmy Owl. |
 DSC_0813b.JPGWhen it looked away, we could see the false eyes on the back of its head. |
 DSC_0826b.JPGThen we got our first good looks at the Fernandina's Flicker. |
 DSC_0831b.JPGFernandina's Flicker
near Bermejas, Cuba
March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0841b.JPGFernandina's Flicker |
 DSC_0843b.JPGFernandina's Flicker |
 DSC_0854b.JPGFernandina's Flicker |
 DSC_0862b.JPGFernandina's Flicker |
 DSC_0868b.JPGThere were also several West Indian Woodpeckers about. |
 DSC_0879b.JPGWest Indian Woodpeckers at holes on a Royal Palm stump
Male above, female below
Near Bermejas, Cuba, March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0903b.JPGThen we returned to the Bermejas Wildlife Refuge in search of the Bare-legged Owl. |
 DSC_0906b.JPGCuban Trogon
Bermejas Wildlife Refuge
March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0916b.JPGMimosa-like flowers |
 DSC_0922b.JPGLa Sagra Flycatcher looking down on us
Bermejas Wildlife Refuge
|
 DSC_0935b.JPGLa Sagra Flycatcher |
 DSC_0940b.JPGBare-legged Owl
Our local guide Orlando knocked on the trunk and this little bird popped its head up several times and I got this one good shot.
Bermejas Wildlife Refuge
March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0943b.JPGLittle Lakes Trail
Bermejas Wildlife Refuge
March 21, 2016 |
 IMG_2304b.JPGWildflowers |
 IMG_2305b.JPGWildflowers |
 IMG_2316b.JPGWildflowers |
 IMG_2318b.JPGWildflower |
 DSC_0952b.JPGMale Western Spindalis |
 DSC_0957b.JPGMale Western Spindalis
Bermejas Wildlife Refuge, Cuba
March 21, 2016
|
 DSC_0960b.JPGCuban Parakeet
a small flock flew into the trees over the trail, but didn't stay long
Bermejas Wildlife Refuge, Cuba
March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0972b.JPGFemale Bee Hummingbird
We walked across the highway from the refuge and found this bird where we'd looked for nightjars the night before.
Bermejas, Cuba, March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0986b.JPGBee Hummingbird at flowers |
 DSC_0987b.JPGBee Hummingbird |
 DSC_0007b.JPGBee Hummingbird |
 DSC_0012b.JPGBee Hummingbird |
 DSC_0021b.JPGBee Hummingbird |
 DSC_0034b.JPGBee Hummingbird |
 DSC_0042b.JPGPaulino talks with the resident on the land we were birding.
He is the brother of our local guide Orlando.
He worked at the refuge before being injured in a fall from a ladder while checking bird nests. |
 IMG_2323b.JPGAfter our morning of birding, we had a relaxing beachside visit and lunch at Caleta Buena (Good Cove) |
 IMG_2326b.JPGThe grounds at Caleta Buena |
 IMG_2334b.JPGThe good cove |
 IMG_2370b.JPGAfter lunch, we returned to Hostal Luis, our casa particular, and got a look at the Emerald Hummingbird eggs when the mother left the nest in the cactus. |
 IMG_2372b.JPGEmerald Hummingbird eggs in the nest at Hostal Luis
Playa Giron, Cuba
March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0058b.JPGMother Emerald Hummingbird on the nest
Hostal Luis, Playa Giron, Cuba
March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0061b.JPGMother Emerald Hummingbird on the nest |
 DSC_0109b.JPGThe afternoon was overcast and windy, but we went looking for shorebirds along the water behind the Hotel Playa Giron |
 DSC_0126b.JPGLooking back at the hotel behind the sea wall at Playa Giron, Cuba |
 DSC_0169b.JPGIn an area near the hotel, Paulino found this immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron.
It blended well with the remains of mangroves harvested for charcoal for heating.
Near Hotel Playa Giron, Cuba, March 21, 2016 |
 DSC_0200b.JPGThe ground beneath us was mostly former sea life. |
 DSC_0205b.JPGBirds were sparse in the wind but we did see this La Sagra's Flycatcher
Playa Giron, Cuba, March 21, 2016 |