Goin' to the Birds - Part 1

After arriving back in Trinidad to complete a long list of boat tasks we were excited after 18 days of almost non-stop work to be splashing back into the water.  With sighs of relief and lifted spirits we were happy to be floating once again, to have our own head and shower, great functioning air conditioning, and to be almost on our way to waters where we can swim and relax and enjoy being on the water. So close yet so far away... Unfortunately we ran into three additional problems, a non functioning outboard, a broken water pump motor, and broken engine mounts. We won't escape from Trinidad quite yet.

When some new friends, Patty and Bill on Annalee started putting a tour together we decided to do ourselves a favor and head to the hills to see the birds up at Asa Wright Nature Centre and cruise up the Caroni Swamp to see the Scarlet Ibis return to their nesting area before dusk.  We were badly in need of a diversion and it turned out to be a delightful day well spent in nature recharging our spirits.

The Asa Wright Nature Centre comprises nearly 1,500 acres of mainly forested land in the Arima and Aripo Valleys of the Northern Range of Trinidad. The estate was once a cocoa/coffee/citrus plantation that has been partly reclaimed by secondary forest and is surrounded by an impressive tropical rainforest today.  You can also arrange overnight stays in cabana's situated around the centre and enjoy the cooler and more peaceful setting.

We arrived in time for a lovely lunch and a chance to wander around the grounds and down to the waterfalls before a special tour of the building and the estate began.

Entrance to the Asa Wright Conservatory Terrace

A lovely lunch with our infamous tour guide Jesse James (left in blue hat).

One of Patty and Bill's finer moments.

Pretty waterfalls nearby.

Meryl in earth camouflage and Walter in tree camouflage.

Cocoa tree with cocoa pod growing right out of the tree trunk on the right.

Nicolaia.

A type of orchid.

Viewing terrace to watch the birds feed and enjoy the mountain and rainforest views

Walter checking out the hummingbirds.

Sweet little hummingbird stopping by for a snack.

Interesting tour of the Centre and grounds.

You can follow special trails to find the White Bearded Manakin and observe their unique courtship displays.

The male White Bearded Manakin's have special forest areas called leks where they can be observed.

White Trumpet Flower.

The interesting monkey ladder vine.

Part II Post to follow.