2009/11/05

Vermilion Flycatchers and Life changes

If you've been following this blog for a while, then you will know that I've been posting off and on for months now.

I've been working on my thesis for quite a while, and I finally finished it! I have to defend my work in front of a "jury" of professors and other students by the end of this month in Buenos Aires. This blog was born in Buenos Aires, and I hope that the trip marks a new beginning for it, with more learning and sharing, more pics and birds, birds, birds!!

I plan to reinvent myself in the following months, a change of life for the better. I want to learn new things and visit new places.

It is a bit confusing still, as everything is "under construction" right now - plans, dreams, hopes, future!

And speaking of confusion... Something that has me a bit confused too are these Vermilion Flycatchers:


The male is usually bright red with black when adult, like the one above.

Lima has a sooty morth population of these birds, the dark brown ones like the one in the next photo (I love these cute "chocolate" ones!):

But, what I don't understand, is what exactly is the bird that follows...

Tommy found it in his walks in Parque El Olivar and it is a complete mystery to me: It has the brown body like the sooty morph and a red crown like a "regular" Vermilion, although the red is not as bright. (Thanks for the pics babe!)

Do you know what could be happening?? The bird has been seen on many occasions for a few months now and no molting has been observed. Please, feel free to leave your ideas on what you think or share what you KNOW.

... I wonder if the new Mel will end up like this bird, a mixture of the old Mel but with brighter, happier, unique feathers ;)

7 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I don't know wha that bird is. I'll bett Gunnar Englom would know- ask him!
I'm so happy for you that you are nearly done with your thesis review. I'm sure a long, difficult process like that changes one for the better.
Is all OK regarding your health scare? I've been thinking of you.

John B. said...

Congrats on finishing your thesis! That's a big accomplishment. Good luck with the defense, too.

On the flycatcher, could that be a hybrid of the two color morphs? Do they hybridize at all?

Stuart Price said...

Birds have lots of colour morphs/races and they can and do hybridize (yellow Wagtail being a notorious example)........

Congrats on finishing the thesis. Hope you have free time to do stuff before the dreaded search for work begins.......

Amila Salgado said...

Good on ya!
Mel, if you are to pick a bird to adorn your header, the choice should be simple: Vermillion Flycatcher.

It is the first bird I remember seeing here, and I am never tired of seeing it.

That last colour morph is interesting.

All the best with the presentation!

RuthieJ said...

Hi Mel,
Congratulations on getting your thesis done. All that hard work now paying off! And I really like the current Mel, so don't morph too much, OK??
Hugs to you sweetie!!

Q said...

Dear Mel,
I am sending lots of good energy your way! So proud of you for finishing your thesis...YES!!!
The new Mel will be just as sweet and kind and delightful as the old Mel...She will stand tall and show her darling crest of feathers.
Tommy and your photos are beautiful.
I thought of you when I posted today!
Sherry

Mel said...

¡Hola amig@s!

Lynne,
Thanks for your concern and the support. I've been a bit under the weather but I'm on my way to a better life now ;)

John,
I have no idea if it could be a hybrid, but I do need to find out!

Stuart,
I've been working full time for 13 years, but you are right, a new search begins soon, thanks!

Amila,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, it is a beautiful bird, I like it a lot :)

Ruthie,
Don't worry, it's just a change of scenery and a bit more joy in my life. Same Mel underneath ;)

Sherry,
Thank you for thinking of me, your post on Q is very beautiful.
I hope to visit you more often :)