I spotted this raptor pure by accident. I was on the cabana trail trying to photograph antbirds or hummingbirds when I suddenly saw some movement from the corner of my eye. I went to check what it was and when I looked up, I saw this Black-faced Hawk staring back at me standing between the dense vegetation. Sometimes it happens that I miss some birds because of this strategy; standing still between the foliage green and not moving at all. That's wildlife.
This predator likes to stay in the neighborhood and quite often you can hear him calling. Like its laughing, no wonder its called the Laughing Falcon. Most of the time I've seen this bird perched high up in a tree. This is one of the few moments that I've seen the Laughing Falcon so close.
This one used to be called the Northern Caracara. Nowadays it is known as the Crested caracara. The Crested caracara is one bird I don't see very often. It doesn't stay long enough to be called a resident of Kabalebo. More like a migrant bird. Usually when Caracara's are flying by they are accompanied by smaller birds, like tanagers or flycatchers since Caracara's are not quite welcome in the neighborhood. This one also had the same experience.
One of the first birds of prey I photographed was a Great Black Hawk. It was also the first big bird I was able to identify all by myself. I've taken dozens and dozens of pictures of this predator, either as an immature, juvenile or as an adult. A couple of times I've seen them as a couple and with prey. So I thought that I've seen it all with this Hawk, but I was wrong. This is the first time that I see a Great Black Hawk sunbathing. I thought it was injured at first but he was just having a great time.
This Gray-lined Hawk is also a resident of the area. One you can see on a daily basis and one that I never get bored of taking pictures. Today it looked a bit grumpy but since the sunlight was shining perfectly on him I couldn't resist to shoot him.... with my camera.
A common bird of prey; the Harpy Eagle. But still I can't get enough of this magnificent bird. I went to check on some forest birds to photograph but out of nowhere this fellow appeared and landed on that vine. I started to photograph this large predator from different angles and it didn't mind at all. In the end it 'sank' into this position making it even more interesting for me. The funny thing is that it was also pretty quiet in the area. After a while it started to get dark and I was the first to leave the scenery. Still have to say that this was one of my most fond memorable moments with the Harpy Eagle.
This Black Hawk-Eagle was on the hunt explaining why its was perched so low. Since it was aware of its surroundings I couldn't get any closer so this would have to do. After I posted this photo on social media, many of you noticed its remarkable striped 'pants'.
This Ornate Hawk-Eagle paid us a visit right before dark. Out of nowhere it just landed in this tree. He didn't have to announce his arrival since all the small birds did that for him. Tanagers, flycatchers, martins and puffbirds were making a lot of noise. Soon after they started to harass him so he would leave the area as soon as possible. His visit wasn't welcome at all cause even the Grey-lined Hawk joined forces with the small birds. So I had only a couple of minutes to quickly photograph him before he left. Time was running out as the lights started to get dimmer and the birds became restless at the same time. But somehow I managed to take several good shots.
Hawk-Eagles are one of my favorite predators. Most likely because they are seldom seen. This Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle is one of them. At least 4 or 5 times I have seen one of them. This one surprised both me and the birds. I guess it was soaring above the area, saw a potential prey and just dived down. It caught a Crested Oropendola but somehow the Oropendola managed to escape. I also managed to photograph this predator before it left again,
I spotted this Osprey (Pandion Haliaetus) when it was flying over the lodge. A large bird of prey that lives from fish. Most of the time I have seen them flying over with their catch but this time it was not its lucky day. I am guessing that it is trying its luck at another spot.
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. 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.
There are a couple of 'bad boys' seen near the lodge, ones that are actually not really welcome by the majority of the little birds' population.
|
Archives
June 2024
Categories
All
|