Another Place That Is For The Birds

A very nice wedding took place in the Dominican Republic.  It was at an all-inclusive resort, which was a new experience for us.  During our stay under the hot sun with onshore breezes to keep us cool, we were obligated to relax by the pool or beach and eat and drink without restraint.

But it wasn't a total loss.  There were plenty of photo opportunities.

Wonderful views from the air while flying over the Bahamas.
It looks much like a Phyllis Bryce-Ely abstraction.

What?  Not familiar with Phyllis?

Click here:  https://www.phyllisbryceely.com/featured-work/

Republica Dominica abajo.

On the ride to Bayahibe from the Punta Cana airport,
the mountains loom to the north beyond the sugar cane fields.

A lovely spot for a reception.

Dreams La Romana was surprisingly popular for weddings of all types.

All weddings should have a baraat,
where the groom arrives on a white horse carrying a gilded umbrella.
It was disappointing to find that one was not provided at the wedding we attended.

Optimum wedding viewpoint in the infinity pool.

Palm reading, anyone?

This hispaniolan woodpecker was fond of the fronds.

He was also fond of other tree limbs.

Spectacular coordination of feathers with eye color.

There was a micro Ecological preserve on the edge of the resort property.  The density and diversity of the wildlife in this tiny area was amazing.  Though most enjoying the resort never ventured into it, the preserve was a jewel demanding multiple visits.

Geese.  Definitely not Canadian.

"Hello!"

Glamour shot.

"Hello again!"

The crystal clear spring fed pool was full of these guys.

Birds like this passerine clambered through the thick canopy.

Nuthatch?  Finch? Passerine?
Whatever the name, it does little to affect the beauty of the bird.

This flowering tree was attractive.

And attractive to guys like this broad-billed tody.
Fidel, the staff person who pointed out critters otherwise missed,
referred to the hummingbirds as "flower beaks."
He apologized for his English, but it provided a wonderful perspective.
But if the tody was in the flowers, it was for the bugs therein.

The coral coastline, looking back toward the resort.
More about that later.

A family of duck-acting, but not looking, birds
were also enjoying the reserve.

It would be hard to fit the huge feet with shoes.

Most likely the patriarch of the brood.
The feet run in the family.

The black-crowned tanager was enjoying a human-provided meal.

This heron was happy to perch and pose.

Plumage worth observing from multiple angles.

What's he looking at?

Clearly eying the photographer, here.

You'd never think this bird would get of the ground.

CAUTION !!!

IF YOU SUFFER FROM ARACHNOPHOBIA, 

SKIP THE NEXT IMAGE.

Fidel was kind enough to lead beyond the tourist enclosing fence
to a power transformer installation.
He removed the metal cover over the underground portion to expose
this cute little guy, the size of an extended hand.
"They only come out at night," he said, reassuringly.

Another cute little critter.
He or she is a tree climbing crustacean,
who also burrows into the ground.

A rumpled flower-beak.
This one and friends buzzed through the nearby trees during the wedding ceremony.
Perching for plumage photography was not high on their priority lists.

It only took 20 minutes of chasing this one around the poolside trellises,
and 54 blurry photos to catch this guy in the act.
Unfortunately, the rufous leggings are not visible.
Do you care? 

27 sunny degrees and seaside breezes
do a nice job of facilitating flowering plants.

Many types, no doubt also benefitting from the care of the staff.

One-legged pink birds.

The resort is somewhat isolated, probably by design.
But one can skirt the trees and time the rocky passage over the coral
to explore the property next door.

You'll find a lovely sheltered cove
that provides an excellent opportunity for you developers,
or for those who just want a place to be alone.

There is even a fixer-upper awaiting.

The Palmchat is the national bird of the Dominican Republic.

A noisy group of them systematically denuded this tree of its blossoms.

Petals litter the ground as they chow down
on other parts of the flowers.

Robin-sized, no red breast.

A talent for blending in.

Sparrow-ish and talkative.

Here, negotiating the terms of signing the model release.

For this swallow/marten/swift, it was pleasing to catch any image at all.
A multitude of them flitted about at high speed, changing direction constantly.

They loved to disappear into the thatch.
Can you see the one that just entered?

All things considered, not too bad.

The Magnificent Frigatebird was a bit more cooperative.
Patience was necessary, but before long, one would move along the shoreline,
using the steady onshore breeze to soar.

Can you trust a bird with forked tail?

They also fly in the other direction.

The palmchats have taken a break from nest-building.

This visitor is in their nesting tree.

What will we do?

Can't blame the palmchats for keeping there distance.

Even though the hawk was looking the other way.

The palmchats returned to their home after the hawk went on his way.  

We also were soon on our way back home.

"It was a real, live place.  And most of it was beautiful.  Doesn't anyone believe me?"

"Of course we believe you, Dorothy."

"Oh, but anyway, Toto, we're home!  And there's no place like home!!!!"