Double Rivers Waterfall, Brasso Seco Paria

Recently we hiked up to Double Rivers waterfall in Brasso Seco Paria. It took us approximately two hours of walking along a beaten dirt road to get to our destination. The walk was thoroughly invigorating, as we were surrounded with the lush rainforest. Along the way we passed some familiar and unfamiliar flora and fauna which made our walk even more interesting. Finally, as we got to the waterfall it literally took our breath away! 

All images courtesy Jessie Pitt

Red Anartia Butterfly

I remember a time when this Red Anartia butterfly was commonly seen throughout the island. Locally it is known as the "Coolie" butterfly, males are bright red with white dots, while females are paler in color.

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

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: 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

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: 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 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

Naturalist notes: Trinidad and Tobago

Kiddies Carnival, Arima

Our beautiful Trinidad and Tobago is known to be the southern most Caribbean islands, situated just of the coast of Venezuela. There is such a wonderful blend of many different cultures existing in harmony, Africans, Indians, Chinese, and much more. 

Blue Waters Inn, Tobago

People travel from around the world to visit our twin islands. They come for many different reasons, some for Carnival—which is know to be the greatest show on earth, it absolutely takes your breath away, the spectacular costumes, the camaraderie, the music, and you must experience it at least once in your lifetime! Our fantastic beaches are also known to draw quite an extensive crowd, especially after the mayhem Carnival! Not to mention our countless variety of tasty dishes like Doubles, Roti, Shark and Bake, Callaloo soup, Pelau, Crab and Dumplings, and Pastelles, all this talk on food sure makes one hungry! Others are simply are attracted to our flora and fauna, where a great biodiversity exists. The recorded numbers of species are quite significant for such a relatively small region, over 100 mammals, 460 birds, 600 butterflies, 50 reptiles and 25 amphibians.

What ever the reason for visiting our lovely islands, I am sure people always take away warm and wonderful memories of this tiny piece of paradise.

© Denise Etienne

What is it?

We all have some thing in nature which we adore
Be it animals, plants, or simply a sunrise or sunset.

Whatever it may be,

This brings you utmost joy.

One of my unseen pleasures,

Has the ability to calm my sometimes wandering soul.

When it touches my skin it has the gentleness of a feather,

But sometimes when angry is known to cause massive destructions!

What is it?

White necked Jacobin Hummingbird

Watercolor painting © Beatrice Bork

   Whilst on the wing

    Hovering over sixty beats a second    

    I glance for food
    Taking both nectar and insects
    Even sugar solution sometimes

    Nimble and swift am I
    Eventually sitting for a moment
    Checking out my surroundings
    Keen to defend my territory
    Even against my own kind
    Diving and displaying my immaculate feathers

    Justly, I am a site to behold
    Attracting most of the attention
    Certainly, the birders grasp at my magnificence
    Once this beautiful island was named after us
    By their fore fathers
    It was called “Iere”, Land of the  Hummingbirds
    Nowadays it is known as Trinidad, and we are still being revered 

     © Denise Etienne

 This is a sneak preview of our collaborative effort on our book which features the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as poetry.