Friday, March 23, 2007

Score two for my "life list"

Score one for my "life list"

I'm not a knowledgeable birder but this bird perched in an agave flower caught my eye. I took a number of photos hoping one or two would come out despite the noon-time sun and my lack of a zoom lens. With the help of photo shop to enlarge and correct the exposure and "A Guide to the Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands" by Herbert A Raffaele, I have deduced that it is an American Kestrel. I'm such a bird novice that I thought it was a parrot. My only excuse is I didn't have binoculars. Anyway, I'm proud of this "catch."

American Oystercatcher

My other bird find (actually a pair of them) was an American Oystercatcher. My bird book states that they are rare in Puerto Rico. Not too bad for a rank amateur!

7 comments:

Kathe said...

Nice "catch" (er..catches) indeed.

DirkStar said...

I once saw a Scarlet Tangier. It was as orange as a tennis ball and as beautiful a bird as I've ever seen.

Nice "catch."

p said...

wow that first one looks like a painting!
great shot!!

Rayne said...

Excellent catches! Well done.

Andree said...

Those are beautiful birds. I thought it was a parrot type bird, too. It is a big one! I love the red beak on the other.

angela said...

Well spotted. Just look at the crest on the kestrels head. Marvellous.
Angela

Liza on Maui said...

beautiful creatures. I love watching birds. Thanks for the photos :)