 The Green Anaconda doesn't need any introduction. Just one look at this fellow and you know that you need to keep your distance and respect its privacy. Well known for being one of the largest and heaviest snake in the world (maximum length 9 meter and at least 200 kg heavy). But every big and large animal once started small in their life.  Here is a baby Green Anaconda. Fits right in one hand. I spotted this young anaconda hiding between the grass near the lodge. Well, I was first looking at some Golden-eyed Tree frogs when I almost stepped on this young fellow.
So you had better watch your (every) step.  My first birding trip was on March 18, 2013 with 2 Dutch ladies. I was a bit nervous because it was my first whole day trip too. Macaws, parrots, swallows, hummingbirds, kingfishers, herons, tanagers, woodpeckers ..... you name it, they were present on that day.
I did not take notes of what we saw exactly, some things you learn during the process. But all I can remember is that our morning started very well. The Harpy Eagle was seen preening early in the morning. I remember that it stayed for quite a while on that same spot. I was very excited to see this large predator on my first birding trip as it is still the number one bird that people want to see.  I have seen the Chestnut Woodpecker a lot inside the rainforest of Kabalebo (Suriname). Not a noisy one compared with the Lineated or the Crimson-crested Woodpecker. Most of the time they are seen clinging onto a tree and work their way up.  Like I said 'most of the time' I have seen the Chestnut Woodpeckers on trees. But when I took this picture I was kind of surprised to see this Chestnut Woodpecker on the ground between all the ripe maripa's.
I didn't know at first what it was that was hopping between these maripa's. It was clear after I zoomed in with my camera. First time too that I have seen a woodpecker on the ground. They keep surprising me.  Red Howler Monkeys are also known as social animals. I have always seen them either resting, eating or traveling as a group.
Here you see one of the members of such a group. It is a mother with her infant. Still a young lad as it was seen clinging onto its mother. The group was resting and the mother decided to find a quiet spot to be alone with her baby. Sometimes I see the mothers play with their baby. The only time she lets go of her little one is when she has to eat. The baby is hanging, most of the time, up side down nearby until she is done eating. Even in the jungle mothers know how to take care of the little ones.  The Crested Owl is still seen in the rainforest of Kabalebo. But like any other resident it also likes to move around the area. So from time to time, the Crested Owl is seen perched between all the dry leaves during the day and on another occasion it is not home at all. So yes, this was the only picture of the Crested Owl I took when I was on the hiking trail. It was seen in plain sight but at a spot and level that asked for some moving around until you can spot it. I actually wanted its entire body photographed but the surrounding had other ideas. This is all I could get. Perfect camouflage! My first sighting of the Crested Owl:  Just look at these Blue-and-Yellow Macaws. All bright and colorful and free to move wherever they want to. This is why I like birding.
 Just like any mother, female ocelots are also concerned about their own little ones well being.
 When I spotted this Spectacled Caiman, it was facing to the wrong side. Instead of looking fiercely in my camera, it turned its whole body so I only got this side 'effect'. Luckily it did not swim away or disappeared under. That is usually their normal behavior when they are a bit fed up with my presence.
This Spectacled Caiman had also a perfect camouflage because when they lay still like this near the river edge, 8 out of 10 times you will successfully miss them.  This young bird of prey was a bit too far for my camera, but nonetheless still spotted. This was a young Grey-lined Hawk weeks after it left its comfy nest. When they are still young, they often are not aware of the danger surrounding them especially not when exposed. This young fellow was calling his mother constantly, begging for either attention or some free food. While I was heading in the direction from where the call came from I noticed this young bird of prey sitting high in a tree. We both spotted each other. The light was not great and the surrounding neither but this is called wildlife photography.
 Taking photos of wildlife in their natural habitat doesn't always result in the 'perfect picture'.
This had never bothered me at all. Waiting for the right moment when the subject and the lights are in harmony. For me it is all about the moment. When I spotted this Red-billed Toucan, it was a bit far and almost hidden between all the branches and leaves of this tree. This Toucan was also sitting quiet and was barely moving. It was that its chest was so immaculate white that it stood out. Red-billed Toucans are also known as White-throated Toucans. It is not always clear to see that this bird has a red bill. They are the most common toucans found in the interior of Suriname. Sometimes they are spotted in small groups, as a pair or sometimes alone (like this one for instance). |
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