“An artist’s eyes ever rest.” Lisa Brunetti
The Scarlet-rumped Caciques’ nest dangles almost-eye level from the corner windows where I sit.
Poza Honda – Manabi Province – Ecuador —-
After ten days in Portoviejo, I returned to discover a new addition to the natural sountrack – Chirpings of ravenous hatchlings! The parent birds seemed to glare at me with disgust, that ‘Just when we needed you, you vanished, as did the banana buffet. Could there be a connection?”
“Rangewriter Linda” commented on last-week’s post: “Ah Lisa, it is clear. Your purpose for being present in this Garden of Eden is to document the beauty you see around you. Your brilliant illustrations are so much better than Master Audubon’s because no creatures are harmed in your captures.
Those Caciques have captivated me. They are simply stunning with that bright blue eye set against the dramatic black background. Do tell about the scarlet bottom, though…I see only black. 😉 ”
For Linda!
I retrieved almost-ripe platanos from the refrigerator, warmed them slightly in a pan of water, then presented the anemic fruits with token apologies. For the next 24 hours, the pair provided easy entertainment for my daylight hours. Working in synchronized harmony, the pair darted in an out of the nest as they foraged for caterpillars between trips to the banana feeder. They also flashed their scarlet feathers – not easy to capture with the camera without blurred results! Enjoy the slideshow!
The Scarlet-rumped Cacique ranges from to Honduras in Central America to southern Ecuador. “ Within the Scarlet-rumped Cacique there is a clear division between populations in the Andes and those in Central America and the Pacific Lowlands of South America. “ (Neotropical Birds Online)
There is also a Yellow Rumped Cacique which is more bashful/elusive than its red-rumped cousin.
How about ‘Christmas Yellow’ for those with red/green color deficiency?!!!
“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the prettiest of us all?”
As lovely and entertaining as they are, these chatty and handsome birds were not the top act for the day. A quieter show awaited at ground level. This artist’s eyes are forever scanning the visual fields, and at times a new glitch taps at my subconscious. “Pay attention —“
Look near the dragonfruit trellis!
The rails stay close to cover
Here’s one hiding place
At the edge of the yard, they can often be spotted – but one must be quick to see them!
From Neotropical Birds Online: “The Brown Wood-Rail is a very poorly known species, which is reportedly rare over much of its range, with just one record from Peru, and at least in Ecuador it has apparently declined significantly in response to extensive habitat modification throughout the western lowlands in recent decades. “
Ah! It’s a joy to see the Brown Wood Rails‘ return to the comfort of the back yard. I would like to say that they are comfortable with my presence, but no, their reasons for loitering at ground level are obvious. Their addiction – ripe bananas – lures them in the same way that their presence glues me to the viewing stage. I too am addicted to observing the Brown Wood Rails and all other inhabitants of the natural world!
Before the bananas ripened, a lone bird circled the perimeters of the back yard. Clinging near draping heliconias and other dense areas, the birds move between predictable hiding places. An attentive observer will soon learn to predict the birds’ most-used routes, and with camera ready, I glean more images!
The attentive observer might also be rewarded with other sightings, like another not-easy-to see Little Tinamou! Sneaking under the Porterweed and Brugmansia, the Tinamou passed just beneath the windows, and I dashed to the kitchen window and waited for a second viewing. Yay! It emerged beyond a 5-foot tall boulder then ambled to the dense growth beyond the yard.
When the bananas approach maturity, the Brown Wood Rails check the supply more often. Pumping its tail, one will strut across the close-cropped areas, pass near the bananas, then dart back to safer areas. Once the bananas ripen, the birds provide an all-day performance. I marvel at my luck, at my good fortune and realize how blessed I am to witness and document the behavior and quirks of this elusive species.
These banana-feeding photos were taken on July 29 and 30. I will return on August 2 and look forward to the next ‘fix’ of immersion in nature!
If you’re interested in photographing these birds, this next week all but guarantees an opportunity to observe this bird in its natural habitat – with extra-easy photo sessions. There is one requirement, however, one has to be ultra quiet, as the birds dart away at the slightest movement or sound! (But you probably knew that already!) Contact the owner, Jorge via jurgarnet@icloud.com, as I will be off line and watching the birds, starting on Friday through Wednesday of next week.
The museo is about to close, and the laptop battery is almost dead. Tomorrow I will be on line again and look forward to your feedback on both posts. Thank you all for your support! Love, Lisa
You are so lucky. In my neck of the woods the only nature attracts are fruit flies.
Ha! We have those here as well, and yes, if the fruit is on the counter for a short time, those flies appear!
I keep forgetting to ask you about your comment about living along the river – where another joined/merged.. I suspect that the fishing there as really good!
Your observations of the rails are probably expanding the knowledge base about them ten-fold, Lisa!
Thanks, and yes.. it’s been great to witness how they use their bills to probe and push vegetation as they search for food. They are comical birds and can bolt from barely moving to almost the speed of light when startled!
You’ve been busy and have had some great moments.. I”m reading but after loading pages and reading off line…
I agree completely with Rangewriter Linda. You help us see the world! Many thanks.
Squeezing the marrow as often as possible!
I continue to read off line – and thanks for not breaking your posts into two parts, as I can read them in entirety at home. Loved the link about Greta – |I almost cried to learn that she’d been nominated for the Peace Prize, and I suspect that she has a grand chance of winning. People like Greta give us hope – perhaps those young leaders will turn this world around?
Beautiful. I owe you many comments and at least one email Amiga ! In the interim, I hope you are happy with your new digs and glad you haven’t lost touch with the old ones 🙂 Take care, dear friend!
Thank you Pat, and you’re there in the kitchen where Wonder Warrior stands beside the fishing cat!
Oh my yes, that is a scarlet rump if I ever saw one! They are just beautiful. You’ve done a fantastic job of documenting their lives. I’m amazed also, that wood rails look almost like blocks of smooth wood or marble. Their brown color is so soft and even it doesn’t even look like they have feathers.
There is also a ‘red-rumped’ cacique, but it lives in a totally different section of the country… so many birds, so little time!
Oh just beautiful to be catching up with you again Lisa.. You wonderful photography stunning, Thank you for sharing these amazing birds ..
Keep enjoying your immersion in Nature.. I have enjoyed holidays, nature, my garden and allotment plot..
Good to be back within your blog again, its taking me ages to catch up with everyone whom I have missed..
Much love your way Lisa..
Sue ❤