When I was in La Manzanilla in December, I took this photograph of a heron. Since then, I have searched for a specific name, but I have found nothing. I suspect the problem is that it is a juvenile, and I am simply missing some obvious markings.
But it is a very attractive bird. And brave.
The photograph below is of the same bird cautiously skirting one of the larger local crocodiles. I wonder if birds ever end up on the crocodile diet?
But it is a very attractive bird. And brave.
The photograph below is of the same bird cautiously skirting one of the larger local crocodiles. I wonder if birds ever end up on the crocodile diet?
In case you are curious, the palapa is a restaurant -- and usually filled with people.
If this conjures up primordial fears of the jungle drinking hole, imagine zebra and wildebeest sitting around the bar tossing back a few while the crocodile decides who is on the menu for the afternoon.
If this conjures up primordial fears of the jungle drinking hole, imagine zebra and wildebeest sitting around the bar tossing back a few while the crocodile decides who is on the menu for the afternoon.
Steve, I wonder what's on the restaurant menu if the croc goes missing...I've got to believe fowl is an occasional supplement to the crocodile diet. Ah..yes the cycle of life in the tropics!
ReplyDeleteI believe your heron is Hydranassa Tricolor, Tricolored (Louisiana) Heron. It appears that the juveniles have a red neck so it is probably an adult. If you Google it, you will see that your photo is better than most of the ones they have posted on the internet.
ReplyDeleteKathe
I bet there isn't much water activity going on there!
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteSeems that one of the big guys has taken to getting out and hanging out in the street infront of the viewing platform. As a mother of a 5 year old, how has been to Africa and seen crocs in action, you have no idea how much this worries me. I'm glad we live by the primary school!
Hmm, I'll remember to AVOID this pond when I'm over there in January......
ReplyDeleteKathe -- Thanks for the information. I looked at some photographs of Tricolored Herons on line, but they just did not seem to match up. I see the resemblance now. It was a brave, but wary. bird around that croc.
ReplyDeleteWayne -- You are correct. I never see anyone in the water. However, I did watch a tourist put his hand on one of the croc's back. Apparently, he had no idea how fast they can move.
VisitLaManzanilla -- I have been reading about the rogue croc on the La Manzanilla message board, and how tourists are exacerbating some very bad behavior.
Babs -- Do not miss the lagoon when you visit. It is a great opportunity to see wildlife up close. And it is definitely not an SMA experience. Hmm. Richard could probably create another gang: the beach visitors.
Steve - DON'T encourage Richard - when he had dinner here, we sat for hours and came up with all kinds of ideas - many of which could NEVER be published, I hope!
ReplyDeleteBabs -- Enabler is my middle name.
ReplyDeleteOk, I can't resist - I doubt we have crocodiles in San Miguel, but I KNOW we have "lounge lizards"!
ReplyDelete