Season Greetings!

Naturalist Notes:New Adventure

This morning the manager and I took a short walk to explore the environment of our new work place, Amanecer~Retreat and Spa. This is a new hotel situated in the 

Lopinot Valley, surrounded by lush rainforest. Originally it was a cocoa and coffee plantation, to date there are numerous other fruit trees.

As we ventured up the quiet road looking at the flora, I decided to imitate the call of the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl to see who or what we would attract. Suddenly the forest became alive with sounds, we heard the Violaceous Euphonia (which is locally called Semp) Rufous-breasted Wren, Golden-headed Manakin and Orange-winged Parrots were squawking as they flew overhead. A family of Golden-fronted Greenlets was peeping at us, luckily we were able to see them. In the distance ahead we caught a glimpse of the Long-billed Gnatwren as he hurriedly disappeared into the bamboo. We also saw quite a few species of butterflies, including the Red Rim, Red Anartia and Blue Transparent, which is really cool because you can literally see though his wings! Amongst all that we saw on our short stroll today, for me the pinnacle was the view of a peaceful, trickling stream of crystal clear water. I hope to keep you posted of more discoveries as time goes along.

Denise Etienne

The Bird Whisperer

Naturalist Notes: People-watching

Earlier on this week I was sitting in one of my favorites spots in Arima people watching, as I like to do ever so often.  About fifteen feet down from me was a street vendor selling CD/DVDS, with him was a medium size music set up. He played Christmas carols, slows, rock, oldies, hip hop, reggae, quite a wide selection of songs, changing them ever so often. It was so interesting to see people from all different walks of life singing or just humming to a song as they passed.  There was an elderly lady sitting right next to me and she was singing away to Stevie Wonder’s “I just called to say I love you”. School kids, Men, Women, Africans, Indians, Douglas, Chinese, as they walked by they were enjoying one song or the other. Even though we are different in so many was, I believe music is one of the many threads that ties humanity together, can you think of others?

Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Doing the right thing

I was sitting on the corner yesterday evening, enjoy the cool breezes that soothes my soul. Then I noticed a young man in school uniform walking by, I’m guessing he wasn’t more than about 13 or 14 years old. In his hand was a small empty soft drink bottle, which he attempted to dunk (as if playing basketball) into a medium sized dumpster that was at the side of a wall. Unfortunately for him, he missed his target and the bottle ended up in the drain.  I must say that I was surprised at what happened next! Even though there were several other pieces of trash on the ground.  This young man stopped, got down into the drain to retrieve his bottle and then placed it where it rightly belonged. I felt so proud of him, I smiled and said loudly, you did the right thing young man!

 There are serious consequences to littering e.g., flooding, causing harm to wildlife…

Naturalist Notes: Patience

It’s been over two weeks since I've hung my bird feeders and all that I have attracted thus far, is ants! To me this really reiterates that one needs to have a whole lot of patience when dealing with our avian friends. I’ll keep you posted, hopefully it won’t be long now.

Denise Etienne

Happy Davali!

Naturalist Notes: Hummingbird Feeders

Recently I got two hummingbirds feeders which I anxiously hung this morning. I think hummingbirds are like small jewels, here one minute and gone the next.

When placing these feeders in your yard or garden make sure to put them among flowers, this makes it easier for the birds to find. It is important that you use only white sugar, because other sugars—such as raw and brown— contain iron and other impurities that can poison hummingbirds. The mixture should be one part sugar to four parts water.

I wonder who will be the first at my feeders, I’ll keep you posted!

Naturalist Notes: Bananaquit

Bananaquit ~ © Watercolor by BeatriceBork

Boisterous
Ambitious
Notorious
Adventurous
Nosy
Acrobatic
Quick
Ubiquitous
Intriguing
Thief's

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Golden-olive Woodpecker

Golden Olive Woodpecker 

There are 5 species of woodpeckers in Trinidad. Pictured above is the Golden-olive which is one of the smaller woodpeckers, and is found on both islands. Most male woodpeckers  have a red malar stripe (from the base of the bill to the side of the neck) while the the female lacks this trait. This species primarily feed on insects, but will occasionally take fruits.  

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Golden Tegu Lizard

Golden Tegu Lizard

I have encountered endless of these Golden Tegu lizards in the Northern part of the island. It is locally called a Matte, in Tobago they are known as Salipainter. They normally get to about 3 feet in length, with black and gold stripes along their bodies. They eat insects, birds, mammals, fruits, fish and even bread at times. They are definitely not picky eaters!

Even though they are ground lizards, the female often climbs into an active termite nest well off the ground to deposit her eggs. Once the eggs hatch, out comes the babies with an availability of food, the termites!

© Denise Etienne

Yellow Oriole

Wandering me
What do I see?
A bird brilliant and yellow,
That appeared to be calm and mellow.
It sang as sweet as a flute
While I tried to be mute.
He was flying wild and free
Quite stunning, don't you agree?

~DeniseEtienne


The above is an excerpt from the book:
A Collection of Paintings and Poetry, Birds of Trinidad
Watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork, 
Poem © Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Blue-headed Parrot

In keeping with the Parrot theme, Blue-headed Parrots are fairly common throughout the forest in Trinidad. It is not recorded in Tobago.

Like most of the other Parrots it is generally green, but the head, neck and upper breast is blue in color. It is just about 10 inches in length.

This is definitely a gregarious species, in the past I have occasionally seen flocks of up to 50 or so flying over the Arima valley. They eat fruits and seeds, one of their favorite fruits are Hog Plums.

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Orange-winged Parrot

Happy Independence everyone, be safe!


I think the Orange-winged Parrot bears a little resemblance to the Yellow-crowned Parrot, which I briefly described last week.

However, the Orange-winged Parrots are extremely common throughout Trinidad and Tobago. It is also mainly green in color, with small amounts of yellow on the crown and cheek. The Orange is sometimes visible when the bird is it flight, but it has no eye ring.

This species is extremely vocal and has quite a varied repertoire. It feeds on flowers, fruits, and seeds especially citrus and cocoa. Therefore they are recognized as vermin’s.


© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Yellow-crowned Parrots

Sorry I’m a bit late with this week’s topic…

My brother-in-law recently acquired a pair of these gorgeous Yellow-crowned Parrots.This species is certainly not one you’d see very often, for it is not common in Trinidad. 

The Yellow-crowned Parrot is aptly named, because it has a conspicuous yellow crown. It is mainly green. As you can see in the pictures,  the curve in the wing is blood red in color. It also has a noticeable whitish eye ring. They eat fruits and nuts, but they were enjoying some hot pepper seeds!

Photo and content © Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: In the Backyard

There is always something interesting happening in nature. Some people have this misconception that you have to be in the forest to see the wonders of nature, but really nature exists all around us! Just take a moment and look around, do you know how much cool stuff you can discover right in your own back yard?

Today I looked out my back door and there were Tropical Mockingbirds, Palm and Blue Tanagers, House Wrens, Yellow Orioles, and Bare-eyed Thrushes.

So next time you’re outdoors tune in to your surroundings, you would be surprise as to the amount of wildlife that exists.

__________________

Standing upright and tall

With strong arms wide open

In each and every direction

Teeming with life

And yet giving life to all

Who am I?

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: King Vulture

This is a short blog because frankly I am a stickler when it comes to giving out information. I’m all about telling it as it is and if I don’t know I’m honestly not one to make up stories. Sometimes just by saying you don’t know opens up the door to learning so much more.

In all my years as a Naturalist, I have never seen the King Vulture. This species, from what I have read, is not a very common sight in Trinidad. It is considerably larger than the other two members of this group (Black and Turkey). Another significant difference, the adult bird is mainly white, having a darker lower back and tail. 

Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Black Vulture

The Black Vulture is relatively smaller than the Turkey Vulture. It is mainly black, except for the wing tips (fingers) which are whitish in color and very distinctive, especially in flight. Their heads are also featherless and black in color.

Besides feeding on carrion and occasional fruits, they are sometimes known to attack live prey, particularly newborns like the hatchlings of Leatherback turtles as they emerge from the sand. This species is more often observed in large groups.

 © Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Turkey Vultures

I think one of the most underrated groups of birds is Vultures. They are so important to us and yet we often take them for granted. There are three species recorded for Trinidad—Turkey, Black and King (which is extremely rare, I am yet to see one!). These birds feed primarily on carrion (dead animals) some occasionally are also known to eat fruits. Their major role in the environment is to help clean up all the carcasses, without them one can only imagine the smell and sight which would exists.

In my previous notes I mentioned the resemblances between the Zone-tailed Hawk and the Turkey Vulture, today I will continue with the Turkey Vulture.

The Turkey Vulture is locally called Corbeau and is frequently observed throughout the island. In flight they are very unsteady, and often times you can see their distinctive dihedral (a V formation of the wings as they are held above their bodies). It is mainly brown-toned black in color with a red featherless head. It has a wingspan of over 5 feet and is just about 30 inches in length. The underside of the wing is two-toned in color, the upper half is dark and the lower half grayish. They have a heightened sense of smell and this is how they are able to find their food.

So the next time you see a Turkey Vulture do not turn up your nose, but smile and offer a  soft thank you to a creature that’s doing a very important job!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Zone-tailed Hawk

Lately I have been seeing quite a number of Zone-tailed hawks as I walk throughout Arima and Malabar. This species of raptor (bird of prey) is mainly black and is sometimes confused with the Turkey Vulture, because they share several similarities.

They both have a dihedral shape when they fly, which simply means they hold their wings above their bodies in a V formation. When viewing both in flight, the underpart of the wings are two toned in color, the upper half darker than the lower half. In addition, they are both unsteady flyers, rocking back and forth.

The main distinguishing feature I use in identifying them is their tail, the Zone-tailed has at least 2 white stripes on the tail, also the edge looks like it has been clipped with scissors — it appears almost squared, as opposed to the Turkey Vulture's tail which lacks the white stripes and is rounded at the edge.

A major difference between both birds is their diet, the Zone-tailed feeds live prey like mammals and birds, while the Turkey Vulture feeds on carrion.  It is also smaller in size than the Turkey Vulture. Once you are close enough to the Turkey Vulture you should be able to see their red featherless head, whereas the Zone-tailed head is covered with feathers.

An interesting fact is that sometimes you can find a Zone-tailed hawk flying amongst a group of Turkey Vultures, it is believe they do this to capture unsuspecting prey! So next time you see a Turkey Vulture look closer it might just be a Zone-tailed hawk.

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Denise Etienne

 I have been pondering on what topic to write about next, suddenly it dawned on me why not write about myself - not intending to sound vain or anything, ;-)

I have been a naturalist for as long as I can remember, the great outdoors always brings me a sense of serenity. In 1995 I began my career as a Guide at the Asa Wright Nature Center, where I was able to share my love for the environment with others, educating foreigners and locals, adults and children of the importance of preservation. Enlightening everyone I possibly could to the simple fact that we all have a part to play in protecting our planet, despite how small our role maybe, it is just as significant as our existence.

Denise Etienne

Blue and Yellow Macaw

Hello, thanks for bringing us back
For we were once under attack
Almost to the point of extinction
Now we are notable to distinction
Fruits and seeds we love to eat
Palms are definitely a tasty treat! 

                            ~ Denise Etienne

This poem and painting are featured in our book "Birds of Trinidad"

I will be taking two weeks off, be back soon.
Take care,
Denise

Poem by © Denise Etienne. Image: "Hello" watercolor, courtesy of © Beatrice Bork

Feel

Close your eyes and listen to the wind.

As it dances through the leaves. 

Filling your heart with utmost joy, in its simplicity.

Feel it caressing your skin.  

Comforting, counseling and healing your soul.

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: White-Chested Emerald Hummingbird

One of the most aggressive species of hummingbird I have encountered while birding in the rainforest is the White-Chested Emerald. They intensely defend their territory by chasing away other birds, even people at times. They are indeed fierce! It is not recorded in Tobago.

This is a monomorphic species, which means the sexes are similar in appearance. They are just about 3.75 inches in length. Their upperparts are mainly green fading into a bronze rump and tail, (from the back it looks very similar to the Copper-rumped hummingbird, but lacks their distinct blue tail). The underparts are white with greenish sides. This species is quite vocal with no particular tune.

So folks, this wraps-up the 17 hummingbirds of Trinidad. I hope you all enjoyed, please feel free to ask any questions!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Long-billed Starthroat Hummingbird

I have seen the Long-billed Starthroat hummingbird mostly in forested areas in Trinidad. It is not recorded in Tobago.

This infrequent species is just about 4.5 inches in length. The sexes are generally bronze-green in color on the upperside and grayish on the underside, both have white moustachial streaks. The males have a distinctive turquoise crown with a reddish throat, while the females have a greenish crown with a black throat. When identifying this species I particularly look for a white jagged streak on the back, this is not usually noted in the field guides. 

Their straight bill is reminiscent of a sword because it’s so long!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Brown Violetear Hummingbird

The Brown Violetear hummingbird spends most of its time in the mountainous rainforests of Trinidad. It is not recorded for Tobago.

This species is just about 4.75 inches in length.  It is mainly seen feeding in the canopy on Immortelle flowers and occasional epiphytes, though I have also seen them on hummingbird feeders. The sexes are very similar in appearance, mostly brown above and gray below with a violet patch on the ear-coverts, and a sparkling green and blue throat stripe.

I have observed this species several times during the months of December through March at the Asa Wright Nature Center, which is just about 1200 ft, other times of the year it is found at higher elevations over 2500ft.

 © Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Blue-tailed Emerald Hummingbird

The Blue-tailed Emerald is yet another species that is not found in the rainforest and is considered somewhat uncommon. It spends most of its time in semi-open savannah and scrub areas. It is not recorded in Tobago.

This species is just about 3 inches in length. The sexes are similar, both are overall green in color with white thigh feathers and a forked blue tail. The female also has a blackish ear-patch.

This species is one that I am yet to see in person, according to its description it is very similar to the Blue-chinned Sapphire, which is my favorite hummingbird.

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: White-tailed Goldenthroat Hummingbird

In keeping with hummingbird species that are hardly ever found in the rainforest, and somewhat uncommon, the White-tailed Goldenthroat is a perfect example. It mostly frequents marshy savannahs or open grassy areas near water. It is not recorded for Tobago.

This species is just about 4 inches in length, both sexes are mainly green in color with a slightly decurved bill and facial streaks (above and below their eyes). The male streaks are white, with a sparkling green throat and white outer tail feathers. The female streaks and stomach is rufous in color. This particular species is one that I am yet to see in person.

 

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Green-throated Mango Hummingbird

The Green-throated Mango Hummingbird is usually found in mangrove swamps especially in Caroni. I have spent most of my birding years in the rainforest habitat of Trinidad, making occasional trips to other habitats on the island. Hence, I have only gotten mere glimpses of this species.

It is just about 5 inches in length. The male Green-throated mango is overall green in color, with a black line on his chest, and a purple tail.  The female of this species is very similar to the Black-throated Mango, I read it’s hard to tell them apart.

This is one species that I have hardly ever seen perched. 

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Black-throated Mango Hummingbird

The Black-throated Mango Hummingbird can be found in both Trinidad and Tobago. It is just about 4.5 inches in length. It is a dimorphic species, where the appearance of the sexes varies. The male has bright green upperparts, his throat and chest are black, bordered with blue-green, and has a purple tail. The female has bronze-green upperparts, while her throat and chest white with a prominent black central stripe, and has a reddish tail.

This species is fairly common on both islands. Frequently seen feeding on flowers of Immortelle, Poui, and Hibiscus.  In the rainy season especially I have observed them hawking for insects, in particular rain flies (a.k.a. termites).

Also, just a note, the female Black-throated Mango Hummingbird is exquisitely painted by Beatrice Bork, and is the Cover girl for our book “Birds of Trinidad”.

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Little Hermit Hummingbird

The Little Hermit Hummingbird is the smallest in the group of Hermits found in Trinidad, it’s not recorded in Tobago. It is about 4 inches in length, the upperparts are mainly bronze-green, and the underpants brownish in color.

This species is in same genus as the Green Hermit, hence they are similar in shape. Both have a long and decurved bill, with elongated central tail feathers. They are also known to form communal leks to attract the females.

Some of their favorite flowers are Shrimp plant, Lipstick plant and a variety of Gingers.

From my many years experience as a naturalist, of the three species of Hermits, the Little Hermit is the least frequently seen in the rainforest.

© Denise Etienne 

Our book “Birds of Trinidad”

 

For the last few years I have been collaborating with an extremely talented artist, Beatrice Bork. We have been working on compiling a book, with both her watercolor paintings and my poetry. Beatrice first came to Trinidad via the Don Eckelberry Award for her achievements in bird art. 

I am happy to announce that the book is finally completed!  We both feel a great sense of accomplishment. To all those who have been supportive, thank you!

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of our book please click here

D

Naturalist Notes: Rufous-breasted Hermit Hummingbird

Of the three species of Hermit Hummingbirds found in Trinidad, the Rufous-breasted Hermit is medium in size, just about 5 inches in length. It is also the only Hermit found in Tobago.

This Hermit has a brown head, while the rest of the upperparts are mainly greenish, and the underpants mainly rufous in color. They also have a rounded tail with a white band on the edge, unlike the Green Hermit that has long central tail feathers.

One of their favorite flowering plants is Heliconias. They are well adapted to pollinating the flower because of their long and decurve bills.

Early one morning I took a walk out to the “Clear water pool” at the Asa Wright Nature Center, just over the water on the bank was a Fern plant. There, I got a glimpse of a female Rufous-breasted Hermit as she was constructing her nest on one of the hanging leaves, and I thought how lucky I was to see this little miracle of nature!

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Green Hermit Hummingbird

The largest hummingbird in Trinidad is the Green Hermit.  It measures 6.5 inches in length, it’s actually larger than the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl! This hummingbird is mainly green in color. They have a rather long and decurved bill, as well as long and tapered tail feathers that's white-tipped.

The Green Hermit hummingbird spends most of its time in the undergrowth, feeding on flowers like Heliconias and Gingers, they are also known to take insects. Occasionally they do visit hummingbird feeders but don’t hang around for a long time.

A few years ago I was out on a Christmas Bird Count in La Laja, and we were lucky enough to stumble upon a “Lek”.  A Lek is a gathering of males species, for the purposes of competitive courtship. 

© Denise Etienne 

“Reflections”

"Reflections"

I love looking at reflections in the water. It sometimes makes you see the object that you’re focused on in a totally different perspective!

Naturalist Notes: Rufous-shafted Woodstar hummingbird

The Rufous-shafted Woodstar hummingbird is one of the smallest birds in Trinidad. It measures just 2.75 inches in length, similar in size to the Tufted Coquette.

This species is extremely rare. In the past I have only seen them the in dry season at Asa Wright Nature Center, during the months of March through May. They hardly ever visit the hummingbird feeders, spending most of their time in the forest feeding on flowers. It is indeed one of the shyest species of hummingbirds and very little is known about them. Like the Tufted Coquette it is often times confused with a large Bee!

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird

Out of the seventeen species of hummingbirds recorded for Trinidad and Tobago, the White-tailed Sabrewing hummingbird is the only species found in Tobago and not Trinidad.

This species was believed to be extinct after Hurricane Flora hit Tobago in 1963, but has since made a great recovery.

A few years ago we went birding in Tobago for the first time. We were lucky enough to meet up with a researcher who was studying these hummingbirds on the islands. With much anticipation, we took a hike up to Gilpin Trace, after about twenty minutes or some of walking we stopped for a bit. Suddenly a large hummingbird zoomed passed us, like most species it appeared fearless and inquisitive, and no doubt it was indeed the White-tailed Sabrewing!

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Blue-chinned Sapphire Hummingbird

My favorite hummingbird is the Blue-chinned Sapphire. To me they seem unlike most hummingbirds, in that this species is extremely timid.  In all my years as a naturalist I have never observed them chasing off, or aggressively defending their territory from others. In fact, they are the ones often bullied and harassed, this may explain why they hardly ever hang around.

This remarkable species has a sparkling blue-chinned, which seems even more metallic in the sunlight. The males throat and chest is shimmering green, both sexes have white thigh feathers. The Blue-chinned Sapphire can sometimes be confused with the Copper-rumped hummingbird, but lacks the coppery color.

Whenever I see a Blue-chinned Sapphire it always puts a smile on my face.

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Ruby Topaz Hummingbird

The Ruby Topaz hummingbird is found in both Trinidad and Tobago. In Trinidad, they are often observed in rural areas, and are also known to make their way to higher elevations in the forest when food is scarce.

While visiting Tobago a few years ago, we stayed at a place called Adventure Farms, owned and run by a wonderful couple Ean and Marion Mackay. We saw over twelve male Ruby Topaz hummingbirds vying for a few feeders, it was just amazing! Normally just seeing one of these extraordinary males takes my breath away, so imagine seeing this many, I was literally gasping….

The males are quite distinctive and very flamboyant. He has an iridescent ruby head and nape, with a golden-orange throat and breast. Sometimes he appears black, but once the sunlight hits him, he’s in full glory, indeed quite spectacular! The female Ruby Topaz, like most hummingbirds, is not as colorful as their male counterparts. She is mainly bronze green and gray. They are just 3.5 inches in length. 

© Denise Etienne 

 

Naturalist Notes: White-necked Jacobin Hummingbird

The White-necked Jacobin hummingbird is considered one of the more aggressive species in Trinidad. They are usually found at higher elevations in the forest, seldom seen in the lowlands. It is also observed in Tobago.

 This is a sexually dimorphic species. The males have immaculate white feathers on their nape, stomach and tail, while the rest of their body is bluish and greenish in color. The females look totally different, they are generally greenish in color with a speckled throat. She easily goes unnoticed. They are just about 4.5 inches in length.

 One of the amazing things I’ve observed about this species is that when they are sipping sugar solution from hummingbird feeders, the males hardly ever perch to feed! They mostly remain hovering in front of the feeder. I somehow believe this is their way of being readily agile to defend their territory from other species. So next time you happen to see a White-necked Jacobin look closer you might be surprised! 

© Denise Etienne 

Naturalist Notes: Copper-rumped Hummingbird

One of the most widespread species of hummingbird in Trinidad is the Copper-rumped. I have frequently seen this species around my home in Malabar, as well as in the forest.

They are mainly green in color, with a coppery  rump and this merits their name. Males and females are identical and just shy of 4 inches in length.

Like most hummingbirds the Copper-rumped is somewhat aggressive. They are known to defend their territory from creatures much large than themselves. I remember once removing a hummingbird feeder to refill it, and suddenly right in front of my face was Copper rumped  hummingbird ready to wrestle with me! 

This particular species has a distinctive tune, which normally includes 3 or 4 syllables. If you were to put words to their melody it would sound like “Hey baby girl, hey baby girl”, so next time you observe one, listen closely you might be surprised!

If you would like to attract this species to your home, think about planting Lantana Camara, Calliandra and Ixoras, which are some of their favorite flowers.

This species is also found in Tobago.

© Denise Etienne

 

Naturalist Notes: Tufted Coquette Hummingbird

Did you know that the smallest bird in Trinidad is about the size of your baby finger? It is called the Tufted Coquette Hummingbird and it measures only two and three-quarter inches in length. Often times it can be confuse with a large bee! This species is not found in Tobago.

The male Tufted Coquette merits their name, for he is incredibly striking. He has quite a distinguished crest and tufts projecting out from the sides of his neck, which are chestnut in color. To me, he is reminiscent of a Carnival King with his ornamental head piece! The female lacks all the accessories, but nonetheless she is a sight to behold.

Vervine, Lantana Camara and Pigeon Peas are some of their favorite flowering plants. Their minuscule beaks are perfectly well adapted to reach inside the tiny flowers. So if you are interested in having these species visit your yard or garden, try cultivating some of these plants you never know who may stop by!

I am yet to discover one of their nests, which is supposed to be tiny and cup-shaped, constructed of spider webs, lichens, mosses, and fibers from plants. I would imagine that the eggs may look like peas in a pod!

People are always awestruck when they observe a Hummingbird. Perhaps because they are so minute, swift, or precise? Or is it that fact they can hover right in front of you? Maybe it’s their immaculate feathers? What ever the reason, I know it is one bird that can definitely turn quite a few heads!

The role of the Tufted Coquette and other Hummingbirds in nature are primarily pollinating agents. They also help to control the insect population by ingesting them.

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are like dashing dynamic jewels. Fierce, petite, and full of character! They are known to be extremely territorial and sometimes very aggressive. Some species are widespread throughout the island, whilst others have specific ranges. Their diet consists of nectar or sugar solution, insects and small invertebrates. Hummingbirds are the masters of hovering, with great control and accuracy. Did you know that they are the only birds able to fly backwards?  They have long and slender beaks - some straight and others curved. The name hummingbird originates from the distinctive “hum” made by their rapid wing beats.  Depending on the species it can be anywhere from 15-80 times per second, now that is awfully fast!

Interestingly, hummingbirds are found only in the New World: North, South, and Central America; and the Caribbean islands. There are just over 300 species recorded, the majority exists mainly in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Many years ago Trinidad was called “Iere” which means land of the hummingbird. There are 17 species of hummingbirds, and over the next few weeks I’ll be writing more about them, stayed tuned!

Beautiful jewels

Hovering and displaying

Sipping on nectar

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago II

Corals are the other group of venomous snakes found in Trinidad. They range from a few inches up to two feet in length and are the width of one of your fingers. Their colors are mainly red, black, white, (somewhat patriotic) or yellow.  It is always good to warn small children about these creatures, being so colorful they may be tempted to pick them up and play. These creatures are mostly found under logs and rocks. Their venom contain Neurotoxins which generally affects the nervous system, causing paralysis and death by suffocation.

© Denise Etienne

Haiku # 2

trees covered in white

the skies as gray as can be

me, wandering free

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: With a twist — Haiku

As you may know I love poetry. I have been writing mainly acrostic and free verse poems for quite a while. Last week I visited one of my mentors and we talked about poetry, specifically Haiku. It is a style of poetry that I’ve never really explored before. He sent me a Haiku book, which has now sparked an interest. As I understand, Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry, where the subject is inspired by nature. Traditionally it contains 17 syllables (in 3 lines e.g. 5-7-5). As in all things, traditions change over time.

Here is my first Hakiu:

blowing, falling snow

drifting freely in the wind

takes my breath away

© Denise Etienne

Snow scene...

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago I

There are just over forty species of snakes found in Trinidad and Tobago. Only four species of them are considered venomous, two Corals and two Pit vipers - none of these occur in Tobago. They are not the “evil” creatures that they are portrayed to be. I have encountered all four and I am still around. In fact, you should consider yourself extremely lucky if you were to ever cross paths with one of these secretive creatures, for they are seldom seen.

Our Pit vipers are mainly brown in color, with some variation of yellow, gray, green or black depending on the species.  They have distinctive triangular shaped heads. Along their body are diagonal stripes forming a unique diamond pattern. The Pit vipers that I have seen ranged from one foot, all the way up to eight feet in length! Their poison contain Hemotoxins, which affects the circulatory system destroying red blood cells, causing organ degeneration and tissue damage, if left untreated it can be fatal. The Fer-de-lance and the Bushmaster are the two Pit vipers recorded for Trinidad.

Next week, I'll cover the Corals. 

Be good!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Winter in the US

This is not a sight you’d ever see in Trinidad. We have only two seasons—dry and rainy, basically six months of each. In the tropics our average temperature ranges between 72-88° Fahrenheit, so its almost difficult to explain what this "cold" really feels like.

I remember back in 1996 when I saw snow for the first time. The air was still, patiently waiting for something to happen, and down came these beautiful, white, feathery, delicate flakes falling from the sky—I was totally mesmerized!

Gray skies

Quietness in the air

Purity in white

Sparkling gems

Bundle of clothes

© Denise Etienne