Wooooooo… I’m so excited! I’ve come to share the news about the lifer I spotted today, and I even managed to document it. Barely, but I did!
😀
Let me introduce you to the Black-and-white Warbler. In Spanish, Bijirita Trepadora (Mniotilta varia).
Lovely, isn’t it?
Today, when I took this photo, I thought that maybe I’ve been close to this curious little bird many times without noticing it. It’s actually quite hard to spot with those colours. Their plumage is perfect camouflage… 😜
When I stepped out of the house to stretch my legs and do a bit of birding around the nearby green areas, I had the intention of taking part in October Big Day, an opportunity to unite around our shared love of birds. A few days ago, our reviewer Nils Navarro invited me to join this special event.
Well… I could have gone to Cojímar, a fishing village about 7 kilometres east of Havana, or to other places where there are many species to spot and where experienced birders gather, for example, La Quinta de los Molinos, once a colonial estate, now a botanical and educational park in Havana. But honestly, I didn’t plan properly. And it’s true that in these early stages as a birder, I really need guidance. I hear them—but I don’t see them… the birds. I honestly don’t know how I managed to spot this beauty. 🤣
I was actually trying to photograph a Candelita I somehow spotted, almost by magic, near a cow pen just a block from home.
Poor little bird, I used the playback calls like five times just to get this photo… which, as you can see, is a bit indecent. It kind of violates its privacy. 🤣
Okay, I accept it, if an expert comes and scolds me, I won’t argue. Using calls and bird songs can be harmful to them. It confuses them… and in fact, this one seemed confused. He’s a male, and he looked desperate, searching—at least that’s how it felt to me.
Now let’s move on to this... Each one has its own charm. 😑
Whenever I see them perched, I try to take a photo. The Turkey Vulture is a necessary ally—it does the dirty work, yes, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy.
While walking and gazing at the treetops, I came across countless butterflies, right there, at the edge of the path, among wildflowers and tangled vines. This one brought back the memory of another that crossed my way some time ago, when I was riding my bike, and I managed to photograph it. Luckily, the camera focused properly on this one.
We’ve had a lot of rain these past few days, but today—curiously—just when everyone expected the weather to stay gloomy, the sun came out. It appeared timidly early in the morning, and as the day went on, it grew stronger and brighter.
Dragonflies also accompanied me at every step. It was surprising to see them alongside the butterflies. They fly so fast and passed so close to me, as if inviting me to keep going in search of the next surprise. Later, when I got home, curiosity struck—and I looked up their spiritual meaning.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove and the Tojosa (Common Ground Dove) are always in plain sight around the neighbourhood. These two birds, along with two Totíes and a few hummingbirds, completed my list for today. Just a few minutes ago, a fellow Club member told me he recorded 66 species on his outing. He explained that there were probably more birds where I was too… and he insisted I shouldn’t get discouraged—that the more I go out birding, the more birds I’ll see. Of course! I hear them singing, even if I don’t always see them. I’m convinced there was a Mockingbird nearby today.
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When you look up at the trees, you also notice that some are heavy with avocados, and that the sugar apple on a neighbour’s farm will soon be ripe… When I spotted it, I thought I’ve eaten this so rarely. Who knows... sometimes when I wish for things, they come to me at quantum speed. So from now on, I’ll start asking: may someone gift me a sugar apple when it ripens… just like that, by chance.
😁
And so we’ve reached the end. With this post, I’d love to take part in the #SMaP - Show Me A Photo Contest Round 239, to which our host 
"This post is part of my entry for the #Hive14Challenge with 
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Every image I include in my posts is mine. When it’s not, I credit the source in a caption.