Goin' to the Birds - Part II

In the 1930’s, British aristocrats and influential French Creole families would take tours of the Caroni Swamp to watch the Scarlet Ibis. By 1948 there was a growing concern for the protection of the Scarlet Ibis. Signatures and petitions were gathered for Conservation consideration and due to overwhelming support, the Caroni Bird Sanctuary was created to help protect the Scarlet Ibis. In 1962, when Trinidad and Tobago became an Independent Nation, the Scarlet Ibis was selected as the National Bird of Trinidad.

As we continued on our way toward the Caroni Swamp, I couldn’t help imagining what it would be like.  We had heard some stories and wondered if we might see lazy caimans idling in the water or large snakes hanging from branches on the banks, taking in the sun?  Or possibly, we might find mosquitoes swarming around biting us and somehow giving us Chikungunya (a nasty illness like Dengue Fever)?  I guess we would all find out for ourselves in just a matter of time.

We met our guide and boarded the motorized long boat and were soon heading up narrow passages turning left then right, passing along beautiful forests of mangrove trees with overhanging canopies.  We ducked low branches as we floated by and occasionally looked up and saw a scarlet ibis' flying overhead thinking wow we got to actually see the bird!

Rich lush mangrove swamp with narrow passages.

Easy to get lost in all these swamp tributaries.

Our group riding the long boat with a perfect temperature on the water and thankfully no mosquitoes, snakes, or caimans.

In the middle of the sanctuary are several islets, onto which the ibis arrive by the thousands just before sunset.  And arrive they did.  For the next hour or so we sat mesmerized watching the richly colored feathers of the ibis turn the mangrove foliage a brilliant scarlet.

The red haze on the trees represents 1000s of Scarlet Ibis' which have arrived at the rockery.

As we sat watching the spectacle the bearded British gentleman in the back offered us rum punches to sip, and Jesse James, our tour guide, had prepared his wonderful pineapple and garlic-cilantro dish to share.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting as we watched all the birds flying in.

The white egrets also roost in the same area, but for some reason they retreat back into the trees so they are not visible.

Like nature decorating a Christmas tree with poinsettias. Gorgeous!