Gallinule on a Wire

By Mike • February 10, 2009 • 2 comments

Since I’m literally counting the days until I attend the Fifth International Birdwatching Encounter in Guatemala (it’s not too late to register!), I’m ready to share a very special series of photos I’ve been saving since my last trip there.

After a couple of days kicking around Guatemala City and Antigua, our horde of rabid birders took a plane north to the Peten region, home of the mighty Tikal temple complex as well as countless other lesser-known but still stupendous locales. Among a kaleidoscope of memorable moments was our bounteous breakfast on the shore of Lake Peten-Itza. Of course, once everyone had enjoyed a rich morning repast, out came the optics. Birders from across the Americas and points beyond lined the balcony to scope a variety of waders and rallids. It’s not like we hadn’t seen Purple Gallinules before; it’s just that you’d be hard-pressed to find a more ravishing or resplendent bird anywhere. The acts of uncanny agility and balance is a bonus…

Did that gallinule just hop on the fence?

Careful now…

Check out those enormous splayed toes.

Almost there…

And the dismount!

Tags: features, gallinules, Guatemala, Lake Petén Itzá

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About the Author

Mike

Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but what he really aspires to be is a naturalist. Besides founding 10,000 Birds and I and the Bird, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining sites and resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network.

2 Responses to “Gallinule on a Wire”

Larry Jordan Feb 18th, 2009 at 3:49 am

I give it a ten (see me holding up a small square card with a “10″ on it) for form and a 9.5 for difficulty! I also give it a much higher score for color and beauty. Thanks for saving it for us Mike!

We loved Guatemala when we visited Lake Atitlan back in the 70’s. Too bad I wasn’t birding back then but I can surely book a trip in the future. Like I told Chris over at Picus Blog, I NEED to take a birding trip to the tropics!
Biochemicalsoul » Nature Walk #1 - Hawks, Epiphytes, Woodpeckers and Orchids Feb 21st, 2009 at 7:21 pm

[...] was created by the wonderful Mike Bergin of 10,000 Birds and I and the Bird fame (note: Mike is in Guatemala at a birding conference right this minute - be sure to look out for what is sure to be an amazing photography collection [...]

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