tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30071833206378389222019-04-17T08:32:14.788-07:00Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-18768652269269350852019-04-17T08:32:00.001-07:002019-04-17T08:32:14.605-07:00<a href="https://bravinnapps.com/leadx/uploads/seedsProfile/272/277.html#.XLdGxSzPmP8.blogger">Lead-X</a>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-17216367366157751422016-05-12T16:40:00.001-07:002016-05-12T16:40:10.053-07:00<img src='http://trustmobilizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/high_level_lifestyle.png'/><br/>In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your productivity for a better business along with boosting your resistance to stress.<br/><a href="http://trustmobilizer.com/11-proven-methods-to-sustaining-a-high-level-entrepreneurial-lifestyle/">http://trustmobilizer.com/11-proven-methods-to-sustaining-a-high-level-entrepreneurial-lifestyle/</a>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-54993040030286025422016-05-12T16:38:00.001-07:002016-05-12T16:38:45.387-07:00<img src='http://trustmobilizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/4_low_cost1.png'/><br/>Developing a community outreach program is an excellent way to gain local traction and up visibility without a huge investment when you are running a small business marketing on shoestring budget<br/><a href="http://trustmobilizer.com/4-easy-low-cost-community-outreach-strategies-for-your-marketing/">http://trustmobilizer.com/4-easy-low-cost-community-outreach-strategies-for-your-marketing/</a>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-84003836601495640292010-10-15T01:02:00.000-07:002010-10-15T01:02:00.396-07:00<img src="/51Yi1dkNLSL500.jpg" alt="La Vallee (aka "The Valley Obscured By Clouds")"width="300" align="left" style="margin-right: 7px;" />While <I>The Godfather</I> was making moviegoers an offer they couldn't refuse, <I>La Vallée</I> was wowing art-house crowds with its flower-powered search for paradise in the jungles of New Guinea. It's there that an adventurous diplomat's wife (Bulle Ogier), hoping to find the forbidden feathers of a rare exotic bird, embarks on a deeper, more personal quest when she encounters a makeshift family of hippies seeking an unmapped valley from which visitors are said never to return. Like the structurally similar cult films from its era (including <I>Walkabout</I> and <I>Aguirre: The Wrath of God</I>), <I>La Vallée</I> dazzled the post-'60s subculture with free-spirited adventure and enigmatic beauty, captured here through the peerless lens of cinematographer Néstor Almendros. The hippie vibe seems mildly dated but its sensual context is timeless, and a climactic encounter with the primitive Mapuga tribe retains an intense cross-cultural mystique. Pink Floyd's celebrated soundtrack is mostly heard as background ambience, but it effectively enhances the film's compelling atmosphere of mystery and expectation. <I>--Jeff Shannon</I><p><b>Price: </b>$19.95</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00007M5H8/ref=nosim/wwwfashionass-20" title="La Vallee (aka "The Valley Obscured By Clouds")" target="_blank"><b>Click here to buy from Amazon</b></a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-91737185924688105552010-10-14T15:57:00.000-07:002010-10-14T15:57:00.323-07:00<img src="/51vE7UfeTdLSL500.jpg" alt="The Hatchling (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 7)"width="300" align="left" style="margin-right: 7px;" />Kludd is dead. Nyra, his mate, is determined that her hatchling, Nyroc, will fulfill his father's destiny: the vicious oppression of all the owl kingdoms. But Nyroc is a poor student of evil. A light grows in his heart, fed by scraps of forbidden legend and strange news of a place where goodness and nobility reign. He must summon all his courage to defy his destiny -- and the embodiment of evil that is his mother.<p><b>Price: </b>$5.99</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0439739500/ref=nosim/wwwfashionass-20" title="The Hatchling (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 7)" target="_blank"><b>Click here to buy from Amazon</b></a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-80141259772923717952010-10-14T10:53:00.000-07:002010-10-14T10:53:00.102-07:00 <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393041513401612770 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\yao+Chin+_+China+segundo+puesto.jpg" border=0>Let's all fight global warming...<BR>Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.<br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/_dQe3-D84Yw/blog-action-day-2009.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-72204830045925785252010-10-14T02:24:00.000-07:002010-10-14T02:24:00.558-07:00 <P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418767475262972082 alt="" src="/Navidad.jpg" border=0><BR>Blessings for my dear birder friends!</P>Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.<br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/Bx33kuGK_cg/happy-holidays.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-84657752869384493592010-10-13T16:50:00.000-07:002010-10-13T16:50:00.452-07:00 <P>So, taxi will pick us up to go to the airport at 5:30am.</P><P>It is happening, we are moving to Cusco!</P><P>Besides the bunch of clothes and house stuff we managed to "pack" for the past week, we have a couple of things that were added to our super heavy bags, but that we couldn't miss.</P><P>One, the Field Guide of the Birds of Machu Picchu and the Cusco Region by Barry Walker, a guide we wanted to buy for a while and we finally got it!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446056677297272994 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\03-10+varias+001.jpg" border=0><BR>Sorry about the bad pics, but they are as reference only. I love this plate, I wonder if I'll manage to see any of these hummingbirds soon!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446056683523592914 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\03-10+varias+002.jpg" border=0><BR>The other thing is a present that my great friend Celeste, from Zöövenirs-Perú made for me.</P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446056694741811618 alt="" src="/zoovenirs-cock-of-the-rocks.jpg" border=0>Celeste, Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Mel<BR><BR>Isn't that Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) handsome?? Celeste sewed this super cool key holder for me as a farewell gift. I just love it! Thank you Celeste for such a great present! <P>That lovely bird is our national bird and it is one of the ones to be found in Cusco! Until work issues are certain, I might be selling these little fellows over there, so, wish me luck!</P><P>I have to go now... last minute packing, there is always something else to sneak into the bags!</P><P>See you soon, the adventure begins :) </P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/DTKk_4gRul8/getting-ready.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-7584064649736342572010-10-13T06:54:00.000-07:002010-10-13T06:54:00.462-07:00 <P>If you've been following this blog for a while, then you will know that I've been posting off and on for months now.<BR><BR>I've been working on my thesis for quite a while, and I finally finished it! I have to defend my work in front of a "jury" of professors and other students by the end of this month in Buenos Aires. This blog was born in Buenos Aires, and I hope that the trip marks a new beginning for it, with more learning and sharing, more pics and birds, birds, birds!!<BR><BR>I plan to reinvent myself in the following months, a change of life for the better. I want to learn new things and visit new places.<BR><BR>It is a bit confusing still, as everything is "under construction" right now - plans, dreams, hopes, future!<BR><BR>And speaking of confusion... Something that has me a bit confused too are these Vermilion Flycatchers:<BR><BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400583065357470034 alt="" src="/Verm1.jpg" border=0><BR>The male is usually bright red with black when adult, like the one above.<BR><BR>Lima has a sooty morth population of these birds, the dark brown ones like the one in the next photo (I love these cute "chocolate" ones!):<BR><BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400583724819029874 alt="" src="/ChocVerm1.jpg" border=0>But, what I don't understand, is what exactly is the bird that follows...<P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400583449245632114 alt="" src="/VermCabeRoja3.jpg" border=0></P><P>Tommy found it in his walks in Parque El Olivar and it is a complete mystery to me: It has the brown body like the sooty morph and a red crown like a "regular" Vermilion, although the red is not as bright. (Thanks for the pics babe!)</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400583446386842002 alt="" src="/VermCabeRoja2.jpg" border=0></P><P>Do you know what could be happening?? The bird has been seen on many occasions for a few months now and no molting has been observed. Please, feel free to leave your ideas on what you think or share what you KNOW.</P><P>... I wonder if the new Mel will end up like this bird, a mixture of the old Mel but with brighter, happier, unique feathers ;)<BR></P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/cB5ZvEEn7-o/vermilion-flycatchers-and-life-changes.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-20458758531795455262010-10-12T21:46:00.000-07:002010-10-12T21:46:00.355-07:00 <P>A friend from school, Marisol, moved to Cusco with her kid some time ago. </P><P>Last Sunday she asked us if we wanted to take a walk with her, her boy and the dog. Of course we accepted and met early for breakfast together before climbing up to get around Sacsayhuaman. </P><P>It took us around an hour and it was worth it! </P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423068120822258 alt="" src="/r-cs.jpg" border=0>Rufous-collared Sparrow <BR><BR>On the way up we found new birds, a couple of them with pending id and sadly with no pic to help us (guess we have to go back some time soon hehe) <P>We didn't get into Sacsayhuaman, an important Incan Fortress, but walked around before heading to Q'enqo chico, a small set of ruins in a spot that gives you an amazing view of the city. </P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452942003349347330 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\21-3-10+022.jpg" border=0> Mel-bird(er) at Q'enqo chico ruins <BR><BR>It was hot and sunny, they were tons of Rufous-collared Sparrows singing and the idea of not doing anything but stare at the blue sky, green mountains and pretty birds was so great! <BR><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423080249526498 alt="" src="/r-cs2.jpg" border=0>Rufous-collared Sparrow <BR><BR><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->One of the highlights of the walk was the fact that we gained a couple of new birders to the cause! hahaha... both my friend and her 8 year old Santiago were amazed about how close they could see the birds with the binoculars (the four of us took turns to see) and the boy was so excited he kept asking about the birds and asking for the binoculars over and over again. <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452941995626898962 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\21-3-10+009.jpg" border=0>Santiago and the party's binoculars <BR><BR>It was so great to spend a nice day with friends and to have been able to share a bit of our love for nature and birds with them. By the way, can anyone recommend binoculars for kids that can be found on this side of the world?? Can't let Santiago escape!! <BR><BR><!--[endif]--> <BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423055451351698 alt="" src="/b-ts.jpg" border=0> <BR>We saw: <BR>Great Thrush (lifer!) <BR>Great Sapphirewing (lifer!) <BR>Band-tailed Seedeater (lifer!) <BR>Black-hooded Siskins <BR>Rufous-collared Sparrows (way too many of them) <BR>A hummingbird that we were not able to id or photograph <BR>A hawk waaay too far to id <BR>Some sort of wren that was too fast <P>Might sound like a little list, but it was our first Sunday in the city, and we went out with a kid and a dog, not very bird-friendly ;) <BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423066809302194 alt="" src="/b-ts2.jpg" border=0> </P><BR>I hope that soon we'll be able to go back there again and learn more about the birds on the area, it is fun to be out! <br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/KvVU97W3z0k/new-birders.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-7410082991185711022010-10-12T12:37:00.000-07:002010-10-12T12:37:00.444-07:00 <P>A friend from school, Marisol, moved to Cusco with her kid some time ago. </P><P>Last Sunday she asked us if we wanted to take a walk with her, her boy and the dog. Of course we accepted and met early for breakfast together before climbing up to get around Sacsayhuaman. </P><P>It took us around an hour and it was worth it! </P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423068120822258 alt="" src="/r-cs.jpg" border=0>Rufous-collared Sparrow <BR><BR>On the way up we found new birds, a couple of them with pending id and sadly with no pic to help us (guess we have to go back some time soon hehe) <P>We didn't get into Sacsayhuaman, an important Incan Fortress, but walked around before heading to Q'enqo chico, a small set of ruins in a spot that gives you an amazing view of the city. </P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452942003349347330 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\21-3-10+022.jpg" border=0> Mel-bird(er) at Q'enqo chico ruins <BR><BR>It was hot and sunny, they were tons of Rufous-collared Sparrows singing and the idea of not doing anything but stare at the blue sky, green mountains and pretty birds was so great! <BR><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423080249526498 alt="" src="/r-cs2.jpg" border=0>Rufous-collared Sparrow <BR><BR><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->One of the highlights of the walk was the fact that we gained a couple of new birders to the cause! hahaha... both my friend and her 8 year old Santiago were amazed about how close they could see the birds with the binoculars (the four of us took turns to see) and the boy was so excited he kept asking about the birds and asking for the binoculars over and over again. <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452941995626898962 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\21-3-10+009.jpg" border=0>Santiago and the party's binoculars <BR><BR>It was so great to spend a nice day with friends and to have been able to share a bit of our love for nature and birds with them. By the way, can anyone recommend binoculars for kids that can be found on this side of the world?? Can't let Santiago escape!! <BR><BR><!--[endif]--> <BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423055451351698 alt="" src="/b-ts.jpg" border=0> <BR>We saw: <BR>Great Thrush (lifer!) <BR>Great Sapphirewing (lifer!) <BR>Band-tailed Seedeater (lifer!) <BR>Black-hooded Siskins <BR>Rufous-collared Sparrows (way too many of them) <BR>A hummingbird that we were not able to id or photograph <BR>A hawk waaay too far to id <BR>Some sort of wren that was too fast <P>Might sound like a little list, but it was our first Sunday in the city, and we went out with a kid and a dog, not very bird-friendly ;) <BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453423066809302194 alt="" src="/b-ts2.jpg" border=0> </P><BR>I hope that soon we'll be able to go back there again and learn more about the birds on the area, it is fun to be out! <br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/KvVU97W3z0k/new-birders.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-5518742643866001192010-10-12T06:18:00.000-07:002010-10-12T06:18:00.373-07:00 <P>It's been quite a while since my last post. It's been a month and a half since dad died and I'm still getting used to the idea, and to this new city. I've been working and haven't been able to go birding, but I wanted to share with you a bit of the birds I actually saw. </P><P>June is a month of celebration in this city, starts with Corpus Christi and goes on and on until Inti Raymi (Festivital of the Sun) arrives.</P><P>This is a curious city, it mixes Christian/Catholic rites with Incan Festivities. It's a wild time with lots of people on the streets and groups of dancers performing for the crowd, the saints, the sun and God.</P><P>I loved these guys:</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488003536158390914 alt="" src="/todoukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>With white masks and whips (personifying the Spaniards that came to "colonize" centuries ago), but dressed up with all sorts of symbols from the Andean world (rainbow colours, nature representations embroderied on their hats called "monteras", Andean camelids, etc.)</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488001829069721698 alt="" src="/pelukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>They "fight", although it is more like a duel to show who's best with the whip.</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488001823340174914 alt="" src="/cabezaukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>They look proud and beautiful.</P><P>The Ukukus are also great. Ukuku means "bear" in Quechua, the language of the Incas. These Ukukus wear black masks and usually tease the dancers and the audiences, they are funny and get lot of cheering from the crowds. These ones were pulling a small truck while dancing freely on the streets.</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488001813226707154 alt="" src="/camionukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>Andean people respect nature, they represent it in many ways...</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488001810687334834 alt="" src="/hiloukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>... like in these "montera", mountains, dolphins, sun...</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488001802141223858 alt="" src="/delukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>... or this butterfly...</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487997369829547938 alt="" src="/marukuku.jpg" border=0><BR>... others prefer birds...</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487997364726502882 alt="" src="/aveukuku9.jpg" border=0><BR>... which helped with my need for birds!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487997357406066226 alt="" src="/aveukuku8.jpg" border=0><BR>Colourful parrots and patterns brightening up my day!!!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487997353326699970 alt="" src="/aveukuku7.jpg" border=0><BR>And even a Cock-of-the-rock to cheer me up :)</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487997347846144610 alt="" src="/aveukuku6.jpg" border=0><BR>This is a new city (to me!), with traditions that I used to read about but never experienced myself...</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487995785154955938 alt="" src="/aveukuku5.jpg" border=0><BR>... new experiences that make me smile (like these birdies here, or is it just me??)</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487995784203362066 alt="" src="/aveukuku4.jpg" border=0><BR>I'm getting used to this city, letting the excitement and the colour invade my soul (at least until I can go birding for real birds!)</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487995778463736514 alt="" src="/aveukuku3.jpg" border=0><BR>It's not easy, but it helps. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487995768396047618 alt="" src="/aveukuku2.jpg" border=0><BR>I plan to go birding this Sunday, wish me good luck!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/REmrGpN9kP4/birds-on-hats.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-16262646026360679032010-10-11T22:04:00.000-07:002010-10-11T22:04:00.723-07:00 <P>Hello my friends.</P><P>These past few weeks have been hard on the family. My dad has been hospitalized again and he's facing surgery tomorrow morning once more (if the doctors finally agree on that) A few dozens of tumours need to be removed from the abdominal area. He's 58 years old but his actual health condition is not great, so it has become a life threatening surgery at this point. But it is needed. </P><P>To those of you who pray, I ask for a prayer tomorrow morning to guide the doctors hands and hearts. To those of you who don't, I ask to send positive thoughts for the very same reason. The past 10 proved that every little positive thought and healing wish or prayer counts.</P><P>I have to go now, hope to be posting soon, and more cheerful and bird-full too.</P><P>Hugs to you all. THANK YOU!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/ORp76ZmMjTA/health.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-32619648246749009742010-10-11T13:57:00.000-07:002010-10-11T13:57:00.431-07:00 <P>New lifer yesterday! And not just any lifer.</P><P>I met my first blogger/birder friend! </P><P>Paul, The Wandering Tattler, and the lovely Sonja were visiting Peru for a few weeks. I'm waiting for their photo of our lunch together to post it here. (UPDATE: Paul sent me the pic the waiter took of us, here it is!)</P><P>It was sooo much fun to meet them. Too bad that I had to go back to work after a few hours and that we couldn't go birding together.</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407052815468354674 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\" border=0><BR>They were in Lima only for a day, after a trip that covered places such as Cusco, Arequipa, Madre de Dios, Ica... </P><P>They were just a few birds away from hitting the 200 birds mark for the trip (I hope they managed to find a few or id the ones they couldn't yet!)</P><P>We spent a few hours together, but it was so nice! It must be because birders rock ;)</P><P>I wish that we could meet again soon, and I'll wait for Paul's posts on my country. This place is full of contrasts, and I'm sure there are plenty of stories to come (Stop by and read!)</P><P>Thank you Paul and Sonja for a wonderful time, hope to see you soon!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/8nljc7N2_-U/lifer.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-38431876372920011342010-10-11T06:36:00.000-07:002010-10-11T06:36:00.119-07:00 <P>If you've been following this blog, then you know that Tommy and I decided to move to Cusco. We took these pics from the plane when we were not far from our destination. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448155622316749282 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco-Feb-10+003.jpg" border=0> <BR>Cusco is a city in Southeastern Peru with an altitude of around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). It can be hard on some people due to altitude sickness, but with the proper rest and precautions everything is fine. </P><P>Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448157458173227986 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco-Feb-10+002.jpg" border=0> <BR>Some historians say that the name Cusco is derived from the Quechua phrase, qusqu wanka, meaning "rock of the owl". Isn't that awesome? More bird related stuff about our new hometown! </P><P>I got a new job and will start next week, and Tommy has a few projects that I believe will work out just fine. </P><P>We are meeting new people every day, and so far they have been great! They helped us so much these past few weeks. We are also finding information about nearby birding spots and saw a couple of new birds within the city, a hummingbird and what we believe is some kind of thrush (id pending) </P><P>It won't be easy, but it won't be boring either. <BR></P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/MsM0GfQiST4/some-history-about-our-new-home.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-46944179694836166302010-10-10T22:38:00.000-07:002010-10-10T22:38:00.720-07:00 <P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438120705968754882 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\" border=0><BR>Yes, we are!</P><P>We are moving to Cusco! Capital of the Inca Empire and our dream for a while. We are crazy.<BR>We decided it last year, and of course, after I quit my job (ending on February 28) nature decided to make it extra harder and rained and rained until it flooded and thousands were left with nothing but what they were wearing. </P><P>We will go seeking for jobs in a place where devastation hit with fury. Businesses are closing and people are losing houses, crops and animals.</P><P>But we'll still go. It will be a challenge, and also an opportunity to help out some people. Our hearts waited too long for this. We want to start over from scratch - new life, new jobs, new problems but also new opportunities. We are confident that we could do good, meet new people and also enjoy the nature around the area (one of the main reasons to choose that location) and the travel possibilities from there to the South or to the jungle.</P><P>We can't say we are not worried about it. We have no house or full time job yet, and we move in a few weeks, but we are confident and excited!</P><P>It will be a pleasure to finally post about nature and new and exciting birds!!! Will you share this new adventure with us???</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/_zLAtw-mq18/we-are-moving.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-18163062327063640542010-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:002010-10-10T17:22:00.228-07:00 <P>New lifer yesterday! And not just any lifer.</P><P>I met my first blogger/birder friend! </P><P>Paul, The Wandering Tattler, and the lovely Sonja were visiting Peru for a few weeks. I'm waiting for their photo of our lunch together to post it here. (UPDATE: Paul sent me the pic the waiter took of us, here it is!)</P><P>It was sooo much fun to meet them. Too bad that I had to go back to work after a few hours and that we couldn't go birding together.</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407052815468354674 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\" border=0><BR>They were in Lima only for a day, after a trip that covered places such as Cusco, Arequipa, Madre de Dios, Ica... </P><P>They were just a few birds away from hitting the 200 birds mark for the trip (I hope they managed to find a few or id the ones they couldn't yet!)</P><P>We spent a few hours together, but it was so nice! It must be because birders rock ;)</P><P>I wish that we could meet again soon, and I'll wait for Paul's posts on my country. This place is full of contrasts, and I'm sure there are plenty of stories to come (Stop by and read!)</P><P>Thank you Paul and Sonja for a wonderful time, hope to see you soon!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/8nljc7N2_-U/lifer.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-85376319653121634492010-10-10T08:32:00.000-07:002010-10-10T08:32:00.338-07:00 <P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418767475262972082 alt="" src="/Navidad.jpg" border=0><BR>Blessings for my dear birder friends!</P>Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.<br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/Bx33kuGK_cg/happy-holidays.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-35612569519855921792010-10-10T00:55:00.000-07:002010-10-10T00:55:00.309-07:00 <P>I've been meaning to post for a while.</P><P>Dad has been extremely bad, I had to fly back for a week as it seemed like he was not going to make it. Being away makes me very nervous. It is frustrating not to be able to help, all I can do for now is wait and keep up the hope. I send letters to mom and she reads them to him when she manages to sneak into the Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital.</P><P>A couple of Sundays ago, Tommy and I decided to find out how to get to Huacarpay, a birding spot that we were told we couldn't miss. It was way too late for proper birding, but we decided to go anyway, just to find out exactly how to get there on our own.</P><P>Huacarpay was recently hit by nature, heavy rains and floodings left a lot of people homeless, and the town is slowly recovering.</P><P>It felt strange to know that and see large patches of soil like this:</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463851555520648402 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\11-4-10+005.jpg" border=0><BR>The Andean marshes of Huacarpay were beautiful, we didn't manage to spend a lot of time there, but the time we were there was worth it! We couldn't find the endemic hummingbird of the area, the Bearded Mountaineer or the Giant Hummingbird (I wished so much to find it that maybe I scared it away with my obsessive thoughts! hehe) </P><P>The next pic doesn't really show what we saw, can you see the horizontal rainbow in front of the mountain? It was a first for me, and it was espectacular!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463851547054663474 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\11-4-10+011.jpg" border=0><BR>After a while we found some sort of observation cabin, too bad that we were so far away of most birds, even with the binoculars it wasn't easy, it was raining earlier and at first it seemed that we were not going to find much. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463851540478247330 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\11-4-10+010.jpg" border=0><BR>But after a while, all sorts of beauties started to appear. We managed to photograph only the ones that were closer to us.</P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645881160100818 alt="" src="/Speckled-Teal.jpg" border=0>Speckled Teal / Yellow-billed Teal<BR><BR>It was one of those totally unplanned trips, and we found so many new birds! We expected to see a couple of new birds, as we did not prepare in advance (remember we just wanted to figure out how to get there and get familiar with the area) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645876385512866 alt="" src="/Andean-Gull.jpg" border=0>Andean Gull<BR><BR>We went back home when it started to get dark, with new birds to talk and learn about, super tired and hungry (we never had lunch!) but sooo excited about our unexpected adventure. <P>This is the list of what we managed to id so far, I guess that following trips will help us id a couple of birds that were too elusive even to let us take a few notes:<BR><BR>Yellow-billed Pintail<BR>Hooded Siskin<BR>Yellow-winged Blackbird<BR>Rufous-collared Sparrow<BR>Blue-and-yellow Tanager (lifer!)<BR>Cinereous Ground Tyrant (lifer!)<BR>Western Great Egret (lifer!)<BR>Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (lifer!)<BR>Plumbeous Rail (lifer!)<BR>Cinnamon Teal (lifer!)<BR>Andean Coot (lifer!)<BR>Sparkling Violet-ear (lifer!)<BR>Band-tailed Seedeater<BR>Andean Gull (lifer!)<BR>Puna Yellow Finch (lifer!)<BR>Puna Teal (lifer!)<BR>Plumbeous Pigeon (lifer!)<BR>Puna Ibis (lifer!)<BR>Speckled Teal / Yellow-billed Teal (lifer!) </P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/d9aho60fdYg/huacarpay.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-44506334176063158622010-10-09T18:06:00.000-07:002010-10-09T18:06:00.240-07:00 <P>I've been meaning to post for a while.</P><P>Dad has been extremely bad, I had to fly back for a week as it seemed like he was not going to make it. Being away makes me very nervous. It is frustrating not to be able to help, all I can do for now is wait and keep up the hope. I send letters to mom and she reads them to him when she manages to sneak into the Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital.</P><P>A couple of Sundays ago, Tommy and I decided to find out how to get to Huacarpay, a birding spot that we were told we couldn't miss. It was way too late for proper birding, but we decided to go anyway, just to find out exactly how to get there on our own.</P><P>Huacarpay was recently hit by nature, heavy rains and floodings left a lot of people homeless, and the town is slowly recovering.</P><P>It felt strange to know that and see large patches of soil like this:</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463851555520648402 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\11-4-10+005.jpg" border=0><BR>The Andean marshes of Huacarpay were beautiful, we didn't manage to spend a lot of time there, but the time we were there was worth it! We couldn't find the endemic hummingbird of the area, the Bearded Mountaineer or the Giant Hummingbird (I wished so much to find it that maybe I scared it away with my obsessive thoughts! hehe) </P><P>The next pic doesn't really show what we saw, can you see the horizontal rainbow in front of the mountain? It was a first for me, and it was espectacular!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463851547054663474 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\11-4-10+011.jpg" border=0><BR>After a while we found some sort of observation cabin, too bad that we were so far away of most birds, even with the binoculars it wasn't easy, it was raining earlier and at first it seemed that we were not going to find much. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463851540478247330 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\11-4-10+010.jpg" border=0><BR>But after a while, all sorts of beauties started to appear. We managed to photograph only the ones that were closer to us.</P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645881160100818 alt="" src="/Speckled-Teal.jpg" border=0>Speckled Teal / Yellow-billed Teal<BR><BR>It was one of those totally unplanned trips, and we found so many new birds! We expected to see a couple of new birds, as we did not prepare in advance (remember we just wanted to figure out how to get there and get familiar with the area) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461645876385512866 alt="" src="/Andean-Gull.jpg" border=0>Andean Gull<BR><BR>We went back home when it started to get dark, with new birds to talk and learn about, super tired and hungry (we never had lunch!) but sooo excited about our unexpected adventure. <P>This is the list of what we managed to id so far, I guess that following trips will help us id a couple of birds that were too elusive even to let us take a few notes:<BR><BR>Yellow-billed Pintail<BR>Hooded Siskin<BR>Yellow-winged Blackbird<BR>Rufous-collared Sparrow<BR>Blue-and-yellow Tanager (lifer!)<BR>Cinereous Ground Tyrant (lifer!)<BR>Western Great Egret (lifer!)<BR>Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle (lifer!)<BR>Plumbeous Rail (lifer!)<BR>Cinnamon Teal (lifer!)<BR>Andean Coot (lifer!)<BR>Sparkling Violet-ear (lifer!)<BR>Band-tailed Seedeater<BR>Andean Gull (lifer!)<BR>Puna Yellow Finch (lifer!)<BR>Puna Teal (lifer!)<BR>Plumbeous Pigeon (lifer!)<BR>Puna Ibis (lifer!)<BR>Speckled Teal / Yellow-billed Teal (lifer!) </P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/d9aho60fdYg/huacarpay.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-21224850253523512672010-10-09T12:50:00.000-07:002010-10-09T12:50:01.111-07:00 <P>So, today I started working.</P><P>I'll tell you about the new job later on, today I just wanted to show you where it is :)</P><P>No more grey buildings and skies for me. These pics were taken after this morning's heavy rain, and if it wasn't for the wet floors you wouldn't know. I was standing on the balcony of the place. The pics don't do justice to what your eyes see. The green hills behind, the colonial architecture, the stone brick roads. Stunning. A bad day can't be that bad if you can stare at this.</P><P>For those of you who wonder, that flag is the flag of the Tahuantinsuyo, the flag of the Inca Empire, many centuries before what it is used for in other countries today.</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449419905156249138 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco+Marzo+10+006.jpg" border=0><BR>Plaza Regocijo is just beautiful. I saw a yet-to-id bird here with Tommy, so, maybe on a break I can bring my binoculars and spy on some birds, if they allow me to scare customers like that!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449419903882768034 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco+Marzo+10+007.jpg" border=0><BR>This plaza is four blocks away from our new home, so, I can walk there every day! To think that it took me one hour and a half in public transport to get to work when I was in Lima!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449419896697715122 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco+Marzo+10+008.jpg" border=0><BR>Sundays are my 'free' days, so I'll try to go to the Urubamba Valley with Tommy and some friends next Sunday, hopefully to catch a nice bird on camera to show you :)</P><P>See you!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/kY1aQahj0l4/new-work-environment.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-30781166472932921422010-10-09T03:01:00.000-07:002010-10-09T03:01:00.594-07:00 <P>I tried to take pics of the same place (previous post) but at night time, the pics are horrible, but hopefully it will give you an idea of the area and what Plaza Regocijo looks like.<BR><BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450496987089176498 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco+Marzo+17-10+003.jpg" border=0><BR>Do you know the meaning of the word "regocijo"? I found all these meanings: joy, delight, pleasure, amusement, exhilaration, glee, mirth. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450496990061527618 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco+Marzo+17-10+006.jpg" border=0><BR>Isn't that great? All those positive meanings! It is something I have to keep in mind :)</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450496997641516706 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdtranslatingfeed\Cusco+Marzo+17-10+007.jpg" border=0><BR>I still have to find out if it is possible to do some birding this weekend, I hope so with all my heart! I want to grab the binoculars and enjoy!</P><P>Will keep you posted!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/d95QLBEdWBQ/night-time-plaza-regocijo.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-75341455136169631562010-10-08T20:09:00.000-07:002010-10-08T20:09:00.416-07:00 <P>So, taxi will pick us up to go to the airport at 5:30am.</P><P>It is happening, we are moving to Cusco!</P><P>Besides the bunch of clothes and house stuff we managed to "pack" for the past week, we have a couple of things that were added to our super heavy bags, but that we couldn't miss.</P><P>One, the Field Guide of the Birds of Machu Picchu and the Cusco Region by Barry Walker, a guide we wanted to buy for a while and we finally got it!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446056677297272994 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\03-10+varias+001.jpg" border=0><BR>Sorry about the bad pics, but they are as reference only. I love this plate, I wonder if I'll manage to see any of these hummingbirds soon!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446056683523592914 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\03-10+varias+002.jpg" border=0><BR>The other thing is a present that my great friend Celeste, from Zöövenirs-Perú made for me.</P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446056694741811618 alt="" src="/zoovenirs-cock-of-the-rocks.jpg" border=0>Celeste, Andean Cock-of-the-rock and Mel<BR><BR>Isn't that Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruviana) handsome?? Celeste sewed this super cool key holder for me as a farewell gift. I just love it! Thank you Celeste for such a great present! <P>That lovely bird is our national bird and it is one of the ones to be found in Cusco! Until work issues are certain, I might be selling these little fellows over there, so, wish me luck!</P><P>I have to go now... last minute packing, there is always something else to sneak into the bags!</P><P>See you soon, the adventure begins :) </P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/DTKk_4gRul8/getting-ready.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-55821929872151005042010-10-08T11:12:00.000-07:002010-10-08T11:12:00.412-07:00 <P>A couple of weeks ago, Tommy and I got an invitation for a family gathering in Mala, south of Lima.</P><P>At first we didn't want to go, as I had some writing to do and Tommy needed to study for his classes.</P><P>Finally, we decided to go, and take the binoculars and the camera with us, just in case we managed to escape for a moment and explore around the area before the meal was ready.<BR><BR>It ended up being a great decision. We found some birds there, including a few lifers!</P><P>Now, pardon my excitement, but my favourite were by far the owls (lifers!) we found just a few metres from were we were going to have lunch! We counted five Burrowing Owls, so close to us that we couldn't believe it!</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375955875944278450 alt="" src="/buho2.jpg" border=0><BR>We found them by total chance. We had already found some common birds there, and were about to head back to the house when I asked Tommy to take a picture of the flowers of the peach tree in front of me.</P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375954881702189554 alt="" src="/flores-durazno.jpg" border=0><BR>While he was taking the pic, I felt movement to my left and decided to look around with the binoculars. I found two owls staring at me! And after a moment we could see three, four, five!!<BR><BR><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375955864573155938 alt="" src="/buho1.jpg" border=0>This was the third time I spotted owls. The first and second time were Peruvian Pygmy-Owls (VERY cute lifer!) and this time a Burrowing Owl. Tommy started calling me 'Owl Spotter', lol. <BR><BR>I'm still hypnotized by the owl's eyes, you must forgive me, but all the bird images I took that day were of these guys. </P><P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375955881721354994 alt="" src="/buho3.jpg" border=0><BR>The list for that day:</P><P>- Southern Beardless Tyrannulet<BR>- Amazilia Hummingbird<BR>- Croaking Ground Dove<BR>- Hooded Siskin<BR>- Vermilion Flycatcher<BR>- Blue-black Grassquit<BR>- West Peruvian Dove<BR>- Long-tailed Mockingbird<BR>- Blue-and-white Swallow<BR>- Blue-grey Tanager<BR>- House Sparrow<BR>- Groove-billed Ani (lifer)<BR>- Drab Seedeater (lifer)<BR>- Chestnut-throated Seedeater (lifer)<BR>- Collared Warbling Finch (lifer)<BR>- Burrowing Owl (lifer!!!)<BR>+ a couple that we haven't been able to id, and don't have great images.</P><P>I'm looking foward to another unexpected birding-lunch-date!</P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/OwicGkBksxQ/unexpected-birding-for-lifers.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3007183320637838922.post-36722140400283872092010-10-08T05:59:00.000-07:002010-10-08T05:59:00.320-07:00 <P>It was about time that I started writing about the Argentina trip.</P><P>We travelled to do my thesis papers and presentation, and also to visit some family. However, we managed to squeeze in some time for nature. We were not able to find a Buenos Aires birding guide until the very last day (sadly), but we met some cool people while we tried to capture some new-to-us birds on camera or taking notes for future id.</P><P>On rainy November 29th, Sunday and a day before my thesis presentation, we walked from our hotel to Puerto Madero. From there, we kept walking until we got to Costanera Sur, as our goal was to get into the Parque Ecológico that was behind a pond that separated the natural reserve from the avenue.</P><P>We never made it to the reserve that day as it was closed because of the rain, but we met a group of birders that were around and spent about half an hour with them. They showed us the bird guide we needed (Tito Narosky's guide for Buenos Aires and surroundings), and helped us learn some local names.</P><P>We learned that the Vermilion Flycatcher ('Turtupilín' in Peru) is called 'Churrinche' in Argentina, a Rufous Collared Sparrow is a 'Gorrión Americano' in Peru and a 'Chingolo' in Argentina, a House Wren is a 'Cucarachero común' in Peru and a 'Ratona' or 'Ratonera' in Argentina. A Great Kiskadee is called Benteveo and is quite common in Buenos Aires, while the only one we saw before was back in 2007 in Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay) </P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419623217640266658 alt="" src="C:\Arquivos de programas\ABS\Auto Blog Samurai\data\Branson Birdwatching Blog\birdfeed\ARG09+015.jpg" border=0>Cool group of Argentine birders and Mel <BR><BR>After exchanging some information we all continued our ways. It would have been great to be able to go birding with such a great group, they did ask us when were we leaving, as they met on weekends, but we were going to be on a plane by then :( <P>Two days after this meeting, we decided to go back to Costanera Sur, as it was a sunny day and we had tons of bug repellent by then (we got eaten that first Sunday, badly!)</P><P>Tommy and I finally got into the reserve and found some pretty cool birds, so many lifers!! It was an awesome experience.</P><P>Here's the list of all the birds we found in Costanera Sur and the Parque Ecológico those two days -first name is the Argentine name, second is the English name, third is the Latin name- and some pics that Tommy took (please be aware that I used Narosky's guide to id, some of the names may be different, but until I find more common or current names, I'll stick to Narosky's):</P><P>1) Cotorra – Monk Parakeet – Myiopsitta monachus (lifer!)<BR>2) Torcaza – Eared dove – Zenaida auriculata<BR>3) Golondrina ceja blanca – White-rumped swallow – Tachycineta leucorrhoa (lifer!)<BR>4) Cisne cuello negro – Black-necked swan – Cygnus melancoryphus (lifer!)<BR>5) Coscoroba – Coscoroba swan – Coscoroba coscoroba (lifer!)<BR>6) Gallareta chica – White-winged coot – Fulica leucoptera (lifer!)<BR>7) Pollona negra – Common gallinule – gallinula chloropus<BR>8) Tero real – South american stilt – Himantopus melanurushimantopus (lifer!)<BR>9) Paloma doméstica - Rock dove – Columba livia<BR>10) Paloma manchada – Spot-winged pigeon – Columba maculosa (lifer!)<BR>11) Ñanday – Black-hooded parakeet – Nandayus nenday (lifer!)<BR>12) Sietevestidos – Black-and-rufous warbling-finch – Poospiza nigrorufa (lifer!)</P><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418212434436587042 alt="" src="/sietevestidos.jpg" border=0>Black-and-rufous warbling-finch<BR><BR>13) Cabecita negra común – Hooded siskin – Carduelis magellanica<BR>14) Picabuey – Cattle tyrant – Machetornis rixosus (lifer!)<BR>15) Piojito común – White-crested tyrannulent – Serpophaga subcristata (lifer!)<BR>16) Hornero - Rufous hornero – Furnarius rufus (lifer!)<BR>17) Chigolo – Rufous-collared sparrow – Zonotrichia capensis <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418218209412199106 alt="" src="/Rufous.jpg" border=0>Rufous-collared sparrow <BR>18) Zorzal colorado – Rufous-bellied thrush – Turdus rufiventris (lifer!)<BR>19) Carpintero bataraz chico – Checkered woodpecker – Picoides mixtus (lifer!)<BR>20) Benteveo común – Great kiskadee – Pitangus sulphuratus<BR>21) Tacuarita azul – Masked gnatcatcher – Polioptila dumicola (lifer!) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418211743565305794 alt="" src="/Masked.jpg" border=0>Masked gnatcatcher<BR><BR>22) Cardenal común – Red-crested cardinal – Paroaria coronata (lifer!) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419605050555983346 alt="" src="/Cardinal.jpg" border=0>Red-crested cardinal<BR><BR>23) Torcacita común – Picui ground-dove- Columbina picui (lifer!)<BR>24) Tordo músico – Bay-winged cowbird – Molotrhus badius (lifer!)<BR>25) Gorrión - House sparrow – Passer domesticus<BR>26) Pirincho – Guira cuckoo – Guira guira (lifer!) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419605059130662194 alt="" src="/cuckoo.jpg" border=0>Guira cuckoo<BR><BR>27) Calandria grande – Chalk-browed mockingbird – Mimus saturninus (lifer!) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418212115181071138 alt="" src="/Chalk-browed.jpg" border=0>Chalk-browed mockingbird<BR><BR>28) Calandria real – White-banded mockingbird – Mimus triurus (lifer!)<BR>29) Ratona común - House wren – Troglodytes aedon<BR>30) Biguá – Neotropic cormorant – Phalacrocorax olivaceus/brasilianus<BR>31) Picaflor común – Glittering-bellied emerald – Chlorostillbon aureoventris (lifer!)<BR>32) Golondrina parda – Brown-chested martin – Phaeoprogne tapera (lifer!)<BR>33) Sirirí pampa – White-faced whistling-duck – Dendrocygna viduata (lifer!)<BR>34) Varillero congo – Chesnut-capped blackbird – Agelaius ruficapillus (lifer!)<BR>35) Carancho – Southern crested-caracara – Polyborus plancus (lifer!) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419603754798333330 alt="" src="/carancho.jpg" border=0>Southern crested-caracara <BR><BR>36) Carpintero real común – Golden-breasted woodpecker – Colaptes melanolaimus (lifer!) <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419605067236956514 alt="" src="/Carpintero.jpg" border=0>Golden-breasted woodpecker<BR><BR>37) Jilgero dorado – Saffron yellow-finch – Sicalis flaveola<BR>38) Tordo renegrido – Shiny cowbird – Molothrus bonariensis<BR>39) Matico – Troupial – Icterus icterus (lifer!) - This one was awesome to find, too bad we couldn't photograph it, however, one of our new Argentine birder friends, Roberto Güller, helped us id it, when we described the bird to him he sent us a pic and there it was! A beautiful bird!<BR>40) Chiricote - Grey-necked wood-rail - Aramides cajanea <IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419605073361488258 alt="" src="/Heron.jpg" border=0>Grey-necked wood-rail <BR><BR>Later on we travelled to La Plata to meet the family, on the way there we found:<BR>1) Tero común – Southern lapwing – Vanellus chilensis<BR>2) Garza blanca – Great egret – egretta alba<BR>3) Benteveo común – Great kiskadee – Pitangus sulphuratus<BR>4) Chiricote - Grey-necked wood-rail - Aramides cajanea<BR>And a big bird with pending id. <P>In a few days I'll let you know about the awesome trip to Berisso and the many cool lifers we got there! </P><br /><p><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TeachMeAboutBirdwatching/~3/gGh8OYEToCA/cosatenera-sur-and-la-plata.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>Thomas tcheuffahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12169089394325953903noreply@blogger.com0