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I finally finished it! Took me long enough! For those of you not familiar with livejournal, just click on the underlined items to read the entire journal entry and to see all of the pics. Same goes for the underlined bird names - just click on it to see the picture of the bird (I didnt take any of them, I stole them from the web). If I had put all the pics in the journal without making them a link, there would be way too many pictures to load, for those of you still on dial-up or a slower connection. And, it keeps it clean. Also, scroll all the way down to read the journal starting at Day 1. Hope you enjoy!
March 12th, 2006
Birding totals for today were 4. I saw a total of 83 life birds, with a grand total of 125 species of birds seen on this trip.
This would be the one and only day where I was unable to go birdwatching in the morning. We had to go out to the pier at our hotel to meet the boat at 530am. Yo wasn’t feeling well, so she had to stay behind so she could see a doctor. So we go the pier, and the boat is late, go figure. We could have met them there at 6am, gotten an extra ½ hour of sleep.
Today was another one of those lazy days. The rain did let up later on in the morning. Because of this down time, we decided to make our plans to go to the Blue Hole for tomorrow. It’s an all day trip. We are set to leave at 530am, and get back approximately at 530pm. I get to do 3 dives! Mom, Yo, and Barb signed up to do the snorkeling while I went diving with whoever else signed up for the trip. It was going to be a long day. After signing up for all this, we walked into town via the beach, to check out some of the local souvenier stands. While walking, I saw a Lesser Nighthawk and a Brown Booby. I swear, I can see birds no matter where we go, love it! So, we went into town where we had dinner. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel following the beach again. It’s so peaceful out there, and had little light pollution so the stars looked so bright. This was to be our real last day of complete relaxation. Yay for diving!
Totals: 8 lifers, 17 total
March 11th, 2006
I went out birding as usual this morning, even though it was pretty windy outside and looked like it might rain. So this is another entry that’s all about birds, so skip it if your not interested :P.
I really wasn’t sure where to go as this was a very touristy area. I knew that mangroves were located on the west side of the island, and our hotel was kinda on the south side of the island. I went farther south, as the island comes more to a point that way. I went to the beach first where I saw a couple Royal Terns and more frigatebirds. Eventually I ended up at some mangroves, which is exactly where I wanted to go! Im a pro (not really). Anyway, I saw Hooded Orioles, a Common Yellowthroat, Mangrove Warblers, lots of Green Herons, a Killdeer, and an Agami Heron.
There is a story about today’s birding trip though. The area I entered to get to the mangroves was behind the water treatment plant. It was nice because they had paved areas throughout the mangroves, not sure for what reason. It had started to drizzle a bit as I went behind the plant. But nothing really to deter me that morning. As I am heading a little west, I get to a small pond. The first thing I see is an alligator swimming away from me. I was assuming it was an alligator anyway (later I found out they only have saltwater crocs). But it was kinda creepy because I only saw the scutes of him on the surface of the water as he swam away. But I didn’t really think twice, I just continued birdwatching. Not long after that though it started raining really hard and I forgot my poncho so I headed back to the hotel.
Because it rained all day, nothing got accomplished. We planned on going out tomorrow though, just hoping that the weather would clear up. We went out to dinner again tonight, and walked back to our hotel by following the beach back.
4 lifers, 7 species total are the numbers for today.
4 lifers, 7 species total are the numbers for today.
Only a short morning birding trip as we had to leave early to leave Guatamala and return to Belize. This morning brought only a couple species: Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Cinnamon Becard, Tropical Gnatcatcher, and Carolina Wren.
If you aren’t crazy about birds, skip this entire day. Since we didn’t have anything planned, all I did was birdwatch the whoooooooole day!
The rest of the day I stayed out until around 7pm when it was time for our boat ride around the lake. This is the rest of the list for the day: Squirrel Cuckoo, Swainson’s Thrush, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Northern Bentbill (tiny little thing!), Wilson’s Warbler, and a Tawny-winged Woodcreeper.
This morning was the worst birding to date. I saw one new bird, a Gray-fronted Dove, but I still had fun watching all the other birds early in the morning. Of course, I only had 45 minutes to bird as we had to leave early today.
This mornings birding expedition was more productive than yesterday. I saw a couple of Blue-gray Tanagers mixed in with a couple of Yellow-winged Tanagers and I also saw a Dusky-capped Flycatcher, a couple of Masked Tityras, a Wood Thrush, and what made my day totally worth it, a Blue-crowned Motmot. On my way back to the cabanas, I saw a White-fronted Parrot, way cool!
This mornings birding expedition wasn’t very accomplishing. I only saw two birds, the Baltimore Oriole and Olive-throated Parakeet.
I started the day off birdwatching of course! I woke up at around 6am to a plethora of sounds outside so I just had to see what I could find! What a productive morning this was, as most of these birds were new to me. Here is the list for the morning:
Brown Jay
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
After my morning excursion, we all had breakfast early to get ready for our canoe trip down the Makal and
( Pics... )
So my trip to Belize was a HUGE success! I had a great time out there, and I got to see all sorts of birds and other random things. We did so much in 12 days it was unbelievable (or unbelizeable!). Here is a run down of our trip. Also included is what birds I saw on that day. You can click on the selected links to see the birdies! You will quickly see that most of my entries revolve around my birds, I can’t help it! I will be updating my journal day by day, because of all the pics.
( Day One )
March 6th, 2006
From Belize! Just wanted to say that. I am writing a journal on the trip, complete with pictures and all, so stay tuned for another day or two while I make it! Its taking me forever as I am inserting links for all the birds I saw (which was a lot). Hope you have some free time to read it, as its going to be a mini-novel :)
February 19th, 2006
Yay! I leave on Monday morning for Belize! Finally, it seems to have been forever since my mom made the plans. I wont be back until March 4th. woohoo! I will definately be posting pictures up when I get back. I am planning on doing lots of birdwatching and going on a scuba diving trip.
But the shuttle is picking me up in between 4:10-4:50am! Crazy early. Plane leaves at 8am. Wish me luck, hope that I see tons of birdies! :)
But the shuttle is picking me up in between 4:10-4:50am! Crazy early. Plane leaves at 8am. Wish me luck, hope that I see tons of birdies! :)
A couple days ago I came home from work to see a K-9 unit and 2 police squads at the entrance to my apartment complex. I get to my building (3 buildings away from the squads) and there are two policeman at either end of the door of my neighbors. There is another officer around the corner of the building. I get out of my car, as my neighbor answers his door to the officers. He mentions something to them about how our neighbors garage has been open for three days. I noticed that it was open also, but there was a SUV in the garage (she doesnt have a SUV). Anyway, I disregard the police visit, thought maybe there was a domestic disturbance or something.
Fast forward to the next day. I was at my friend Sarah's until 10pm. I went home as I had to work at 6am the following morning. So I attempted to go to bed at 11am. Midnight rolls around, then 1am. I still cant sleep. At a little after 1am I start feeling the fogginess as I was about to succumb to the darkness of blissfull sleep when I hear BAM BAM BAM! Like someone knocking really hard on a door in one of the other apartments. Then all of a sudden I hear the door bust open and a dog starts barking! I jump out of bed and run to my window, where I see two officers standing on the front 'lawn'. They are dressed completely in black and have HUGE rifles hanging from their hips. I see a dog come out of the house. Him and the officer whose leading him go around the corner past the garages, then return in the K-9 squad and park in front of my building. So I have K-9 and full out SWAT in front of my apartment! Just like the night before, they werent parked right in front, they had all parked a couple buildings away. Talk about a stealth mission. There turned out to be around 4-5 police squads, an Explorer squad, and the K-9 unit. Sounds like a drug bust. In the morning, in the snow, all their footprints were in front of her door, and her garage door as well.
Strange thing is, it was my very screwed up neighbors apartment. Shes bi, dresses all 'skanky', and used to hit on me constantly. Never thought she was into stuff like drugs, but it doesnt surprise me. I didnt see anything in the paper about it. My friend Debbie (who lives below me) came over the next day and we couldnt stop talking about it. We are so confused as to what is going on.
Anyway, thats my crazy story!
Fast forward to the next day. I was at my friend Sarah's until 10pm. I went home as I had to work at 6am the following morning. So I attempted to go to bed at 11am. Midnight rolls around, then 1am. I still cant sleep. At a little after 1am I start feeling the fogginess as I was about to succumb to the darkness of blissfull sleep when I hear BAM BAM BAM! Like someone knocking really hard on a door in one of the other apartments. Then all of a sudden I hear the door bust open and a dog starts barking! I jump out of bed and run to my window, where I see two officers standing on the front 'lawn'. They are dressed completely in black and have HUGE rifles hanging from their hips. I see a dog come out of the house. Him and the officer whose leading him go around the corner past the garages, then return in the K-9 squad and park in front of my building. So I have K-9 and full out SWAT in front of my apartment! Just like the night before, they werent parked right in front, they had all parked a couple buildings away. Talk about a stealth mission. There turned out to be around 4-5 police squads, an Explorer squad, and the K-9 unit. Sounds like a drug bust. In the morning, in the snow, all their footprints were in front of her door, and her garage door as well.
Strange thing is, it was my very screwed up neighbors apartment. Shes bi, dresses all 'skanky', and used to hit on me constantly. Never thought she was into stuff like drugs, but it doesnt surprise me. I didnt see anything in the paper about it. My friend Debbie (who lives below me) came over the next day and we couldnt stop talking about it. We are so confused as to what is going on.
Anyway, thats my crazy story!
January 29th, 2006
I knew that I shouldnt have gone to the reptile show in Denver... Kept telling myself that all I would get is snake supplies, yeah right. This is what I came home with.
( I have NO self control )
I have gotta stay away from reptile shows, petstores, humane societies... I need to go to AA (animals anonymous).
( I have NO self control )
I have gotta stay away from reptile shows, petstores, humane societies... I need to go to AA (animals anonymous).
January 23rd, 2006
I know this happened on Saturday, and its now Monday night, but oh well, I am a slacker hehe.
This was an awesome trip! We got to go into the excel energy plant to see all these birds close up. Usually we have to bird from the top of a hill and look down into the reservoir and its near impossible to see anything. This trip only happens once a year, so I thought I would check it out, as there is always rare birds at this facility. There was a huge group of 47! It was hard to get my scope in a good spot as there was way too many of us.
Here is my species list:
Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe!!, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe!!, Double-crested Cormorant, Lesser Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Northern Harrier, Ferruginous Hawk, Bald Eagle, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Belted Kingfisher, American Tree Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow!!, Carolina Wren!!, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird.
It was definatley worth the hour trip to get to see all those birds. We could not believe our luck in seeing the wren and swamp sparrow, those were definately rare to see.
This was an awesome trip! We got to go into the excel energy plant to see all these birds close up. Usually we have to bird from the top of a hill and look down into the reservoir and its near impossible to see anything. This trip only happens once a year, so I thought I would check it out, as there is always rare birds at this facility. There was a huge group of 47! It was hard to get my scope in a good spot as there was way too many of us.
Here is my species list:
Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe!!, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe, Clark's Grebe!!, Double-crested Cormorant, Lesser Canada Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Northern Harrier, Ferruginous Hawk, Bald Eagle, American Coot, Ring-billed Gull, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Belted Kingfisher, American Tree Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow!!, Carolina Wren!!, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird.
It was definatley worth the hour trip to get to see all those birds. We could not believe our luck in seeing the wren and swamp sparrow, those were definately rare to see.
January 20th, 2006
to update! My little bro came out to CO yesterday. He drove straight through from IL with a friend, got here at around 715am (I was already awake). We didnt do a whole lot. Had to drop my truck off at the dealership to get the heating fixed, went to the mall just for the sake of doing something, picked up my truck, then I took them to the raptor center. I showed them our medical hospital with all of our patients (not open to the public), and I fed a peregrine falcon for them (I feed her every Thursday - so they got lucky). Other than that, we just relaxed. They had to get up early this morning, at 5am so last nite we just vegged. It was a nice change of pace.
Today I just ran errands and went to the gym. Gotta work at 4pm. yay. I am off tomorrow though, and I get to go birding! I went last saturday so some ponds in Boulder. Here is the species I saw then:
European Starling, Blue Jay, Black-billed Magpie, American Wigeon, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Great Blue Heron, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Northern Flicker (red shafted), American Crow, American Dipper, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco (pink sided), American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch.
Nice long list, not that many of you care hehe.
This Saturday (tomorrow), I am going to Valmont Reservoir in Boulder to do some more birding. There should be around 30 birders attending, as we get to go on private property, of which we only get to do this once a year. I am so psyched. I get off at midnite, and I gotta get up around 6am. ick. But SO worth it! Then, I finally get Comcast high speed installed. So yay for a much faster internet connection!
Backing up, my mom sent me all sorts of goodies with my brother. I swear, my family is out to get me all fat again. Ok, so my mom sent this HUGE bag of oatmeal raisin and walnut cookies. My grandma sends me this HUMUNGOUS tupperware container of her homemade cookies, YUM. But damn, I wont lose more weight this way! In addition, my mom sent me a bunch of Christmas stuff (kinda late mom); 2 little fake christmas trees, a bunch of ornamants, and other misc stuff. Also sent liquid potporri, and a candle burner. Cat litter, cat toys, a wolf calendar, a wolf blanket (that my aunt Yo made for me - its awesome!), and a fake plant, lol. moms.
Ok, long update. Will post my fun birding experience after I go tomorrow. Cheers!
Today I just ran errands and went to the gym. Gotta work at 4pm. yay. I am off tomorrow though, and I get to go birding! I went last saturday so some ponds in Boulder. Here is the species I saw then:
European Starling, Blue Jay, Black-billed Magpie, American Wigeon, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, Redhead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Mallard, Canada Goose, Cackling Goose, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Great Blue Heron, Ring-billed Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Northern Flicker (red shafted), American Crow, American Dipper, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco (pink sided), American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch.
Nice long list, not that many of you care hehe.
This Saturday (tomorrow), I am going to Valmont Reservoir in Boulder to do some more birding. There should be around 30 birders attending, as we get to go on private property, of which we only get to do this once a year. I am so psyched. I get off at midnite, and I gotta get up around 6am. ick. But SO worth it! Then, I finally get Comcast high speed installed. So yay for a much faster internet connection!
Backing up, my mom sent me all sorts of goodies with my brother. I swear, my family is out to get me all fat again. Ok, so my mom sent this HUGE bag of oatmeal raisin and walnut cookies. My grandma sends me this HUMUNGOUS tupperware container of her homemade cookies, YUM. But damn, I wont lose more weight this way! In addition, my mom sent me a bunch of Christmas stuff (kinda late mom); 2 little fake christmas trees, a bunch of ornamants, and other misc stuff. Also sent liquid potporri, and a candle burner. Cat litter, cat toys, a wolf calendar, a wolf blanket (that my aunt Yo made for me - its awesome!), and a fake plant, lol. moms.
Ok, long update. Will post my fun birding experience after I go tomorrow. Cheers!
January 13th, 2006
Have been forgetting to update. Well I forgot because there has been nothing to update. I went out the other night with a friend who was studying abroad in africa for a couple months who just came back. Other than that, just relaxing, working, being bored. Still studying for the GRE. Getting somewhere finally it seems. Math sux though.
Still have the foster kitty. The girl who wants him has been in the hospital lately so wasnt able to contact me. We are hoping that she can make it by on Saturday. Hope he finds his forever home!
Still have the foster kitty. The girl who wants him has been in the hospital lately so wasnt able to contact me. We are hoping that she can make it by on Saturday. Hope he finds his forever home!