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Posted by vicki rothman on 10:33:30 08/04/07
First an apology for these not being Florida sightings, but Grand Bahama ones and I can't contain myself! This is just a joy of birding note. Aside from under ten life birds found here and tons of would be Florida specialities and rarities, a trip to the Lucayan National Park was unforgetable. First a pair of Mangrove Cuckoos flew out in full view in a dead bush. If that wasn't enough I went back to the beach to find my husband and 3 year old daughter playing in the gentle surf when a small, nearly black and white bird behind them caught eye. It started out 60 feet away. I kept walking deeper into the water to get a better look because I couldn't believe my eyes. The strangest thing was happening. Instead of the bird being weary it came closer. With my daughter snuggled behind my knees and softly saying "come here little birdie, come here" it did! So close I had to bring down my binoculars! It circled arond our knees! I could see it's thin, slightly concave bill. The top of it's legs had a pinkish flesh color, the rest being dark grey. The dark uppers went just in line with the eye, the entire top and partly down the side of the neck. I thought it might be injured so I reached down to pick it up. Nope, it flew off a short distance and we started the sequence again. It was white under the wings. This time it circled all 3 of us at least 10 times! It kept riding the waves and then sticking just it's eyes under the water to find food. we couldn't believe it's lack of fear! As enchanting as this was and though it was a life bird we regretably left the Audubon's Shearwater to preen and feed in peace. It was an awesome 1st time experience!
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