2008/04/18

'Birding' behind Mel's back

Sight of the Pacific Ocean from Miraflores coast

The last couple of weeks I have been going to a series of job interviews. As I'm not able to finish my Thesis just yet, I decided to go back and start getting some money (savings are almost gone!)

So, a few days ago I asked Tommy to go with me to Miraflores, a district by the Pacific Ocean.


I had a couple of hours ahead with tests and interviews so we decided we would meet later on. While I was struggling with tests and questionaries, he went off... TO THE BEACH!!


He's the one responsible for the pics (but the first and last, those are mine, to show you a little about the area)

After my hours of stress I found him across the street lying on a bench with his sun glasses on and the i-pod playing! When he saw me he gave me one of his sexy smiles and showed me the pics he took... My first reaction was... "YOU WENT TO THE BEACH WITHOUT ME??!!??", but then he showed me this handsome guy and I had to smile :)

Gaviota peruana (Larus Belcheri / Band-tailed Gull)

This fellow is known as 'Gaviota peruana', literal translation is 'Peruavian Gull', but the English name is Band-tailed Gull (Larus belcheri)

The first curious thing we noticed was the beak, it is yellow with a black strip and red at the end. This one has a dark head, which means it is not in 'reproductive mode'. The tail starts white, followed by 'approximately' 2cm of black, and finishining with a white trim. The legs are yellow. It gets really aggresive when nesting.

I have to confess I was jealous about Tommy's little trip to the Pacific Ocean while I was in a tiny office with a #2 pencil and a bunch of papers to fill in; but taking a walk after it, the nice company during lunch (with a sight like this!!!) and the sunny day, erased all traces of jealousy, turning it into joy and happiness.

Sight of 'La Rosa Náutica', Miraflores
(my prom party was there, 15 years ago!!)

16 comments:

Sandpiper (Lin) said...

Aw, too bad you couldn't go to the beach, too. Nice that he brought you pictures though. ;-) It's so pretty where you live!

Mel said...

Hi Sandpiper! Yes, I wish I could have... but can't complain about the rest of the day :)
Miraflores is about one and a half hours from home, so we just stayed there for lunch and to walk around for a few hours.

Amila Salgado said...

The beach area looks rather nice.
Good luck in finding a job!

Tricia Ryder said...

Hi Mel - I so enjoy your lovely pictures and wonderful views. I need my "dose" of your sunshine and blue skies as, although it's Spring in the UK, the skies are grey, the wind is blowing a gale and it's raining.

Thanks for cheering me up :)

Q said...

Dear Mel,
Tommy took a very nice picture of the Gull. Thank you for telling about this fantastic looking sea bird. I am learning so much from you. Thank you. I look at my map and look and see where you write about. This area is very beautiful.
Sending happy work thoughts.
Thank you again for teaching me about your beautiful country.
Sherry

Mel said...

Hi guys!!

Ami, thanks for your good luck wishes on the job!

Dear Tricia, I'm glad that you liked this and made you smile, hope I could send some sunshine over there for you... I'll try using my super powers... let me know if they worked!!

Sweet Sherry, your blogs and new ways are inspiring in every way. I am happy to be a little part of your life, you are an amazing person!

Mary said...

Mel,

Tommy did you a big favor! Knowing you were stressed, he brought you some beautiful photographs to lighten your mood.

Lucky you :o)

Mary

P.S. - Your scenic home is beautiful.

entoto said...

Oh, so gorgeous! What a lovely day. I think I can smell the crisp ocean air.

I also loved your look at Grandmother's flowers. Thanks!

Mel said...

¡Hola chicas!

Mary, yes, Tommy took pretty nice pics to cheer me up :)

Trixie, grandma's flowers, they are always the nicest :)

I wish you guys could make it to Peru sometime, it has sooo many places to visit and things to do!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mel,

I love this site. These photos are SO beautiful. You live is such a BEAUTIFUL place and right on the sea. I miss the sea. I live in the desert right now, but used to live right on the sea when I live in Queensland, Australia. I am so happy to meet such an alive spirit as yourself. I will be back! : )

Anonymous said...

Mel, such a beautiful area and I love your photos! Keep up with the great work!

Patrick B. said...

Nice shot of that gull! Beautiful scenery too.

Nature Nut /JJ Loch said...

What a lovely blog post present your friend gave you. :D I love the beach images and post. :D

Hugs, JJ

RuthieJ said...

That gull is very handsome and he posed so nicely for Tommy.
What a beautiful area--a great reward to spend some time outside after a stressful job interview.

Jotter Jan said...

Hola ... bonitas fotos de un hermoso lugar!

Thanks for visiting my blog...you're welcome anytime. I will be visiting yours now and can't wait to see more birds from your country!

Good luck on your new job!

Por cierto, mi nombre es Jan, ¿cuál es la tuya? Yo vivo ib Carolina del Norte, EE.UU.. El país se ve hermoso, y estoy esperando a ver más de lo mismo a través de su fotografía.

Tenga un día maravilloso,

Enero

Mel said...

Hello guys!

Robin, it is nice to meet you too. Hope you can make it back to the ocean again :)

Mon@rch, thank you! although some of the pics are Tommy's..

JJ, thanks for stopping by, yes, Tommy gave me a precious gift :)

Ruthie, yes, that gull is a model, might be getting calls from bird magazines from now on ;)

Bird Girl, he promissed to take me along next time, so, I'm happy with that!

Jan, gracias por las palabras y por escribir en mi idioma. I'll visit you everytime I can :)