Stairway to heaven and a celebration of life

I never expected this would be my first post of the year. My uncle passed away on January 1st. Unexpected. Hard to believe.

Today we went to the Cemetery's Crematory to fulfill his wishes. It was such a hot and sunny day. My dear cousins, Victor (25) and Gonzalo (19) were trying not to cry while people crowded around them to give their respects. I could tell they both wanted to get out of there... I wanted to.

We were born into Catholic families, so we first walked into the Chapel. Behind the Altar there was a sculpture. I did some research when I got home and the page I found says it is "an abstract sculpture of an angel". What I saw was totally different.

I saw a giant hummingbird!! The next picture doesn't really show it. You can see the waterfall behind the huge window and then the sculpture. To the right I see the long bill and to the left, a long tail. I think I'm thinking of birds way too much.


At one point, we took a walk while we waited for the process to be completed. What we found helped ease the sorrow.


Nature sorrounding us was perfect to find some peace, and the Amazilia Amazilia dancing around us made us smile for a minute.

I liked the place. Instead of a creepy dark building, it was a green open space. Catholics, as many other beliefs, believe in life after death. This was, I believe, a celebration of life. A reminder that life goes on, and it can be beautiful even in the worst moments.


Rest in peace. Watch over us now.

Descansa en paz.

Amazing Amazilia

It's been a while since my last post. Too much work kept me away from blogging and visiting other sites. I believe some of you will like this one.

Last Sunday evening Tommy and I had a family meeting. To be honest, we were tired and not very excited about it, and at one point we decided to go to the front yard and explore a little bit.

What a great decision!! We found the most popular tree we've ever seen. Birds all over.

I like hummingbirds. They are small colourful beauties, some sort of flying jewels with their iridiscent feathers, fast wings and long thin beaks.

We found an Amazilia Amazilia perched quietly on one of the higher branches. At the beginning it was quite hard to photograph, as it was very hard and our camera is not exactly birds friendly, but then we realized that close by there was a balcony on a second floor and asked for permision to get there. And we got it!


The pictures are not too close (click to enlarge for details) but we managed to capture a sequence of a behaviour we've never seen in person before. This bird was taking care of its feathers, keeping a couple of other Amazilias away that came too close to the tree. It wouldn't bother about other birds, just its own kind.


The Amazilia is the most common hummingbird in Lima. Feathers are mostly cinammon brown with the head and neck in a bright iridiscent green. The belly is light brown going orange and the tail is brown and short. It has a white patch on the lower side of the neck. The beak is black with a red point.


Amazilias live in arid zones with bushes along the coast of the Pacific ocean, less than 2,000 meters above sea level. It has adapted pretty well to living in parks and gardens of cities along the coast.

These birds like to 'take baths' and sit in the sun to dry. They love nectar and when they are flying they need to feed every 10 to 15 minutes.


This particular species can be found along the coast from Ecuador and Peru (down to Nasca, 306 Km./191 miles south of Lima)

Watching this little bird you can't argue with its name, as Lynne says, you just have to love a bird called Amazilia.

The pics!

After a few more tries, I finally made it... (Slow like this snail)


Pictures are not perfect but it is what we've got, what are these guys? I bet the one staring at us is way ahead identifying 'us'. (Click on them to enlarge)


On the way back from the park, we found this on our street, taking care of the feathers...


And then sitting quiet, planning the next move. I think this is an Amazilia Hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia), known here as 'Amazilia costeña' or 'Colibrí de vientre rufo'.
For those of you who don't speak Spanish, 'colibrí' means hummingbird. Please, feel free to send your comments and if you think I'm right with this one!