Tags
Birding in Ecuador, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, Ecuador, Frigate bird, pelican, Snowy Egret, Yellow Crowned Night Heron, zeebra, zeebra rocks
When high ebb coincides with sunrise and sunset, a living work of art calls me to the river. Thousands of waterbirds punctuate certain areas of the mangroves, and to my good fortune, they roost in my little slice of heaven! During nesting season (now!) their numbers swell, and the cacophony builds as the sun slinks toward the horizon. With paddle in one hand and camera in the other, I shove the kayak into the water and join them.
"What?"
Cattle Egrets and snowy egrets share the western side of the river, while frigates, pelicans and cormorants claim the taller mangoves on the other. Yellow-crowned night herons nest in the tall mangroves nearest my house and also mingle with the egrets. The black-crowned night herons, in their formal black and white attire, dot the shoreline at low tide but recede into the shadows when the water is high.
The ibis and great egrets get my vote for most elusive. My favorites are the temperamental snowy egrets that fluff their plumage at the slightest irritation! Although the waterbirds are skittish when approached on land, they seem overly trusting when a canoe or kayak approaches.
"Don't blink!"
"Shhhh! Don't wake the babies!"
”
HOW MANY BIRDS? - Only the fringe is showing!
Touch-and-go Landings!
FRIGATES OVERHEAD!
When the tide turns and races back to the ocean, I say, “Goodbye,” to the winged beauties and zip home in the waning light. In the darkening landscape, birds continue to soar home to their roosts as their songs reach crescendo then slowly fade.
"Returning home to roost."
Refreshed and grounded from my immersion in nature, I return to my roost and quietly resume painting rocks! 🙂 Life is great! Z
"Before..."
...so many rocks...
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
What a wonderful place to stay, where you can just venture out in mother nature and experience this abundance of birds and life. Ecuador is actually one of the few places I haven’t visit yet in Latin-America, but it’s definitely on my list. The “after” rocks almost blew my mind. So incredibly beautiful. And so simple – which really is the mark of great art.
Thank you so much! Yes, I treasure this special spot; at three this morning I awakened and enjoyed the unique pulsating ‘chant’ of the herons (?) as the outgoing ebb raced to the ocean. The rainy season has been quite brutal, and the river has been muy bravo! I don’t blame the birds for whimpering in the night! New trees are down this morning, though instead of taking a kayak inspection tour, I will be going to town for the final day of a painting competition. From 8 years to 30-something, artists are painting all of the concrete light posts/poles on the incoming avenue. It’s been a great community project. Murals are next!
Ecuador is a beautiful and diverse country, and you will surely find your way to this part of the world!
I am pleased that you liked the zeebra rocks! They make good ‘warm up’ opportunities before I switch to more serious painting!
Z
Enjoy the community painting competition. Sounds really fun!
Thanks! Of course I have lots of images of the week-long event, though I need to stop long enough to manage them!
I’d like to send you a token zeebra rock; send your address via comment if you’re still online, and i’ll glean it then edit it back out of the post?)
Thanks again, Z
(I received your enthusiastic reply and info; i look forward to sending you a z-rock!)
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Aw, the little furry one is so cute. I love your rocks too! My grand daughter loves to paint rocks. She wants to be a zoologist when she grows up.
If my path ever comes through your area, your grand daughter and I will have to have a rock-painting session!!! Z
It’s a date!
For sure! Z