Work, work, work

It's been a month or so since we moved. Well, kind of moved.

At the office, our division was on the 6th, 5th and 2nd floor... all mixed up with other areas. We all moved to the second floor now.

I had no windows on my previous work station on 6th floor. Now I get to see some action on trees planted next to the building...


This West Peruvian Dove (Zenaida Meloda) seems to be working too. Holding a twig this "Cuculí", as we call this bird in Peru, flew to another tree, far from my curious eyes to keep on building a fine nest (I presume)

They are easy to id, as they have some blue facial skin around the eyes and white patches on wing coverts (very visible when they fly)

It was nice to find this one so close, the photo is not great, as the double window and my poor camera were not really liking each other! But, hey, I won't complain, I do have a better view from my work station than a month ago, and now that the summer is here, I hope to see some more action outside, even though the financial area in this very grey city has little nature around.

BTW, some people from work who used to look at me in a funny way when I stared at birds or went on and on and on about some new bird I discovered, are now the ones who point out the windows and take pics even with their phones to send them to me! Maybe a future post should be related to the pictures sent by friends and family, who now, are ACTUALLY staring at birds, even if they say they don't!

Mom made me a Christmas present!

Yes. Made by mom. I LOVE IT!!

¡FELIZ NAVIDAD! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
¡FELICES FIESTAS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Marly's Pics

Last Sunday I went on my first birding trip. It was only for a few hours but it was AWESOME.

I met a few great people and, one of them, Marly Orrego, sent me some of the pictures she took that day to post here! All of these pictures were taken at La Arenilla (La Punta, Callao)

Selmipalmated Plover by Marly Orrego

I want to thank Marly for letting me post her photographs.

Whimbrels by Marly Orrego

I hope we are able to go on a birding excursion together soon, it was sooo much fun!

by Marly Orrego

These gulls started to fly all of the sudden. Turns out there was a Peregrine Falcon going around, it was really amazing to see; too bad we couldn't get a good shot of the action.

Another first!

This is another first!!

Dawn @ Dawns bloggy blog was crazy enough to give me an award! I've been following her blog for a few weeks and I really enjoy it.

These are the rules I am following and the rules that I pass on to you all.

You can pass it on or not, it is your choice :)

The rules are:
1. Name 5 other Superior Scribblers.
2. Link to the author and the name of the blog that gave you the award.
3. Display the award on your blog with this LINK, which explains the award.
4. Click on the award and at the bottom of that link, add your name to Mr. Linky’s list.
5. Post these rules for your recipients.

I'm passing the award to:

- Lynne @ Hasty Brook
- Ruthie @ Nature Knitter
- Robin @ Naked In Eden
- Sherry @ Q's Corner
- Susan @ Susan Gets Native

It's always a joy to visit you and enjoy your posts.

My first time!

Mr. Squirrel 'giving me the eye'

It was 7:45am.

Gunnar Engblom's Kolibri Expeditions, organized an excursion to La Arenilla, in La Punta, Callao. We were going to meet at 8:00am to learn about some birds at Parque Mariscal Castilla in Miraflores.

I've followed Gunnar for a while. At first, on INCASPIZA yahoo groups, and later on through Facebook and Twitter. It was via Facebook that I learned of today's trip.

To be honest, I was a little nervous. For me it was the first actual 'birding excursion' with a guide (person) - an expert - and not just my field guide, my camera, and my dear Tommy to enjoy the birds with me. I was a little nervous about the other people too, 'will I be THE ONE not knowing a thing???'... But after that, the excitement took over and after sleeping just two hours thanks to a neighbour's party, I woke up with the biggest smile I'd had for a couple of months.

Gunnar was great, fun and patient! He showed us some birds, explained about them, helped us find key facts to id them faster and let us borrow binoculars. Yes, it was my first experience with binoculars too. I'm 31, and I finally got to see the world through them!

This is the list of the first part of the excursion:

- Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
- Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata)
- West Peruvian Dove (Zenaida meloda)
- Croaking Ground Dove (Columbina cruziana)
- Red-Masked Parakeet (Aratinga erythrogenys)
- Canary-Winged Parakeet (Brotogeris Versicolurus)
- Scrub Blackbird (Dives warszewiczi)
- Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
- Blue and Gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
- Long-Tailed Mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus)
- Amazilia Hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia)
- Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

The last one we were hoping to find, but we didn't expect it! It was awesome!! Gunnar took the next picture with my camera using his scope, not perfect as there were no adaptors or whatsoever, but it's much better than me trying to do it with my zoomless little camera.


After the park, Gunnar drove for about an hour to get to 'La Arenilla', where it has been changed in the past couple of years. Part of the beach has been recovered for birds! Now you can find big signs with details of the resident and visiting birds.


Yes, this next one is me, I haven't posted many pictures of myself here. But I had such a great morning, I just had to!


Once again, Gunnar used his scope. This Black Skimmer is a migrant from the Amazon! GREAT!! Never seen it before - cool!!


The list for the second part of the excursion:

- Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
- Peruvian Boobie (Sula variegata)
- Neotropical Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
- Little White Egret (Egretta thula)
- American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
- Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
- Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
- Sanderling (Calidris alba)
- Band-tailed Gull (Larus belcheri)
- Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
- Franklin's Gull (Larus pipixcan)
- Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans)
- Grey-hooded Gull (Larus cirrocephalus)
- Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
- And a stunning Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)


A group photo before leaving: Marly, Zarela, Milagros, Gunnar and Mel.

I sooooooo want to do it again!!

Instead of bright coloured 'birds'

Last night I had a couple of news that made me wonder if I am crazy or if it is the world that has gone mad. Hypocrites and their stupidity filled my evening with comments and actions that I could never think of myself.

Nobody should hide the true colours of the soul behind masks and bright feathers.

I rather have a good friend and a heart full of love, than a fat wallet that won't buy me real treasures.

I rather be around a simple, honest, beautiful 'bird'.

I decided to ignore the 'songs' of those colourful creatures. My plan is to be happy :)