Yep, the hotel manager was working the overnight and inadvertently checked someone into our room. I think it scared both of us equally.
10.03.2026 00:19
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Yep, the hotel manager was working the overnight and inadvertently checked someone into our room. I think it scared both of us equally.
Nothing will wake you up like the sound of someone coming through your hotel room door at 11 pm. I did not know I could still move that fast as I blasted off the bed and body slammed the door before they could step through.
Apparently it’s two ibis or two ibises. I’m going to say I was conserving words rather than taking a wild stab in the dark.
A tricolored heron puts on his best predator display for the camera near San Pedro, Belize.
Just caught a roseate spoonbill and two white ibis disappearing around a corner at a pond near my hotel. Today was a good bird day. I think I got half the plovers I didn’t yet have.
Goofing off in the Portland airport on our way to Belize.
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A yellow road sign that says BUMP with an arrow pointing down and a bump icon. If you can call it that.
A yellow road sign that says BUMP with an arrow pointing down and a bump icon. If you can call it that.
These signs are all over Belize. For good reason. If you ignore them, you will likely take out the undercarriage of your car or golf cart.
Sitting in a bar
Me: The signs kind of remind me of the mosque signs in Central Asia without minerets.
Dude at bar: They look like boobs, man, like boobs.
I’ve been having trouble finding birding guides on Ambergris Caye, even though the birding here is spectacular. So, I hired a fishing guide to take me birding in the Bacalar Chico National Marine Reserve. And he found us manatee!!! Different kind of lifer, but I’ll take it.
As I was heading out for a walk along the river, I peeked out the back door of the hotel and turned on Merlin Bird ID for a second just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. It immediately registered a Keel-billed toucan, and I dropped everything. Target birds aquired!
A gartered trogon in search of a meal from some red palm seeds.
A gartered trogon looking for the perfect seed for breakfast.
A gartered trogon with its head in a seed cluster.
A gartered trogon probably thinking about its next seed run.
A gartered violaceous trogon for Monday morning. This beauty was buzzing the tower at the hotel and getting hazed by Kiskadees.
I made it to Tikal National Park in Guatemala today, and I’m reminded that these archeological sites continue to tell us new stories to this day. I did not see a Keel-billed toucan for day 2, but you guys, I did see an Orange-breasted falcon!!!
An Aracari with a seed pod in its bill.
An Aracari studying its next seed choice.
An Aracari from the underside view.
An Aracari having a look at me.
Had breakfast with a Durante of Collared aracaris today,after finding around 35 new bird species, to me, on the San Ignacio Hotel Resort grounds. Skipping the lifer pie today and going straight to the Cuban cigar.
First Belizean bird - Lessen’s mot mot.
Shows the sun setting over the airport in Belize
Country number 57 - Belize
Someone left a small gift bag on our doorstep yesterday. It was a beautiful ryshnik, (Ukrainian ceremonial embroidery) and I believe it’s because I have flown a Ukrainian flag outside my home for every day of the war. It holds meaning for others who can’t be as vocal as I can.
Got to watch a master class in catching big smallmouth bass in winter on the Columbia today. We were targeting walleye, but these smallies were like, not today.
I have seen this branch. I have never seen this branch with a bird on it. I should probably go to CL more often.
See, that I understand. Apparently, I don’t sing along as much as I just incessantly talk to myself. My entire inner dialogue is external.
Things I’ve learned about myself lately. I cannot use Apple’s conversation awareness mode on their earbuds due to the fact that I talk to myself entirely too much.
I was unaware of just how often I talk to myself until I switched this mode on.
Shows a guy in a red knitted cap holding up Birds of Central America guide.
The time has come to fly south again. Who knows what’s good in Belize and Guatemala? We’ve spent some time in Sayulita, MX the last few years but we’re pushing our adventures further south into Central America this year.
Who likes ramen eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago)?
Two guys in front of a food truck
Working on a Slavic food story, so my son and I jetted over to Bend for some of our favorite pierogis.
Thank you!
Watching the country react to the halftime show of Super Bowl 60 was a fascinating look at our own quest cultural significance.
Have a read and subscribe.
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A Male Brewer’s black bird perches on a pole
I look for the exceptional over the glamour of the ordinary. I’m probably not alone in that. I will look for extraordinary plumage or character and ignore the Brewer’s black bird and its glowing eye and otherworldly, green, iridescent tibia even as it sits in the sun at a truck stop.
A cat lays on a man’s chest as he reclines on a couch. There is a bowl of yogurt and fruit behind him.
Sat down to enjoy breakfast, and Toby decided I needed some good vibrations first. I used to think he needed cuddles from me. Now I believe he thinks that I won’t survive if he doesn’t sit on my chest and purr for 15 minutes every day.
A burrowing owl looking out from tall grass
Happy SuperbOwl Sunday to all who celebrate them!
They’re putting backpack transmitters on these green heads, so there are quite a few folks out here from Ducks Unlimited, USFWS and USGS. They do have other opportunities throughout the year so check in with the folks at the Sauvie office.
I think the Bald eagles like this sight as much as I do. They keep the Snows on their toes.
