Our day started in the dark as we had an early start time. Barbr managed to get several sunrise photos as we drove along the coast.
Our able guide was Gladwin, and he kept us watching for birds and entertained us at the same time. Gladwin started out the day with guessing the bird of Canada (Gray Jay). He knew that the Canadian nature experts had already made the decision and selected the Gray Jay. Parliament just has to vote on it. Then he asked what states the others on trip were from and tried to guess the state bird for that birder. Glawin sometimes had a hint and he guessed correctly. He gave a short summary about a trail up the mountain which is named after his father who was a bird guide in Tobago for about 40 years and the trail is called the James Path. Gladwin also gave us a very good summary of the best birds in Trinidad by group such as the doves, tanagers, woodcreepers and woodpeckers to name a few categories. This is was all interesting to have him tell us. Gladwin told us how lucky we and he were to be in Tobago to enjoy nature.
We went up to Gilpin Path on the mountain about an hour away from here. The road is excellent and we stopped several times to view excellent birds such as the Ruby Topaz Hummingbird, the Red-rumped Woodpecker and the White-necked Jacobin. We had good views of the Blue-backed Manekin and the Rufous-tailed Jacamar.
Once on the trail it is a fascinating true jungle. Most of us had walking sticks and there was a man in a pick-up truck by the trail who rented out rubber boots. I took a pair and so did Barbr. The trail was very muddy and slippery with the overnight rain, so it was a good idea to not have to worry about muddy footwear.
One had to look and plan each step of the trail so it was only when we stopped that we looked for birds. We found the Trinidad Motmot/Blue-crowned Motmot which is a stunning bird and the White-tailed Sabrewinged Hummingbird. Our guide also pointed out one sitting on a tiny coconut shaped nest. The jungle and the birds were fascinating.
This is the Trinidad Motmot, just a spectacular bird.
We had our boxed lunch at the lookout on top of the mountain and we were really hungry from the two hour walk on the trail. Off came the muddy rubber boots and Gladwin drove down the mountain. We got caught up in the traffic all the way back to the Blue Waters Inn.
During the night it rained and the surf was thundering. It is only now settling down but it is still very windy. Maybe it is windy here all of the time. But so beautiful. I am writing this sitting on the patio outside and I hope that the battery will hold out to complete this post for the day even though it is only after 3 pm.
I needed a cup of tea and thought I would get these posts done and add photos later. Barbr was to meet me down here but she must have fell asleep as she has not shown up yet. Both Barbr and Peggy are entitled to rest, they kept up with everyone on the trail. The walking was fine as the ups and downs were gentle but it was a long walk.
After this I will sit a bit and I hope to visit a trail on the property here and see what birds could be found. There are Bannaquits here at the inn that come right up to the table or the bar and look at you. Also there are 6 Ruddy Turnstones that are also around on the grounds and follow people within 5 feet. They are not yet in breeding plumage but getting there.
The waves on the beach here are strong and the surf is loud even though one can swim in the bay before the jetty end. The girls and I plan to go for a swim after supper and then a soak in the hot tub under the stars. I am not sure I will be going on the boat trip tomorrow morning at 9 am. The sea looks too rough for me and the boat is too dinky. This combination does not work well for me at all, I am not good on water and there are maybe 5 to 7 foot swells right now. It is still rough out there. I will decide tomorrow morning.....
Now on to make the most of the daylight hours. Two more sleeps and we have to head home to the land of snow and ice. I checked and there is no selfie today, gosh we forgot.
Barbs, Brenda & Peggy
Our able guide was Gladwin, and he kept us watching for birds and entertained us at the same time. Gladwin started out the day with guessing the bird of Canada (Gray Jay). He knew that the Canadian nature experts had already made the decision and selected the Gray Jay. Parliament just has to vote on it. Then he asked what states the others on trip were from and tried to guess the state bird for that birder. Glawin sometimes had a hint and he guessed correctly. He gave a short summary about a trail up the mountain which is named after his father who was a bird guide in Tobago for about 40 years and the trail is called the James Path. Gladwin also gave us a very good summary of the best birds in Trinidad by group such as the doves, tanagers, woodcreepers and woodpeckers to name a few categories. This is was all interesting to have him tell us. Gladwin told us how lucky we and he were to be in Tobago to enjoy nature.
We went up to Gilpin Path on the mountain about an hour away from here. The road is excellent and we stopped several times to view excellent birds such as the Ruby Topaz Hummingbird, the Red-rumped Woodpecker and the White-necked Jacobin. We had good views of the Blue-backed Manekin and the Rufous-tailed Jacamar.
Once on the trail it is a fascinating true jungle. Most of us had walking sticks and there was a man in a pick-up truck by the trail who rented out rubber boots. I took a pair and so did Barbr. The trail was very muddy and slippery with the overnight rain, so it was a good idea to not have to worry about muddy footwear.
One had to look and plan each step of the trail so it was only when we stopped that we looked for birds. We found the Trinidad Motmot/Blue-crowned Motmot which is a stunning bird and the White-tailed Sabrewinged Hummingbird. Our guide also pointed out one sitting on a tiny coconut shaped nest. The jungle and the birds were fascinating.
This is the Trinidad Motmot, just a spectacular bird.
We had our boxed lunch at the lookout on top of the mountain and we were really hungry from the two hour walk on the trail. Off came the muddy rubber boots and Gladwin drove down the mountain. We got caught up in the traffic all the way back to the Blue Waters Inn.
During the night it rained and the surf was thundering. It is only now settling down but it is still very windy. Maybe it is windy here all of the time. But so beautiful. I am writing this sitting on the patio outside and I hope that the battery will hold out to complete this post for the day even though it is only after 3 pm.
I needed a cup of tea and thought I would get these posts done and add photos later. Barbr was to meet me down here but she must have fell asleep as she has not shown up yet. Both Barbr and Peggy are entitled to rest, they kept up with everyone on the trail. The walking was fine as the ups and downs were gentle but it was a long walk.
After this I will sit a bit and I hope to visit a trail on the property here and see what birds could be found. There are Bannaquits here at the inn that come right up to the table or the bar and look at you. Also there are 6 Ruddy Turnstones that are also around on the grounds and follow people within 5 feet. They are not yet in breeding plumage but getting there.
The waves on the beach here are strong and the surf is loud even though one can swim in the bay before the jetty end. The girls and I plan to go for a swim after supper and then a soak in the hot tub under the stars. I am not sure I will be going on the boat trip tomorrow morning at 9 am. The sea looks too rough for me and the boat is too dinky. This combination does not work well for me at all, I am not good on water and there are maybe 5 to 7 foot swells right now. It is still rough out there. I will decide tomorrow morning.....
Now on to make the most of the daylight hours. Two more sleeps and we have to head home to the land of snow and ice. I checked and there is no selfie today, gosh we forgot.
Barbs, Brenda & Peggy
Sounds like you are having a lot of fun. Miss you at the pool!
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