Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: spread

I don't know what kind of Hummingbird this was, but I liked its open, back-lit wings. This was taken at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the island of Trinidad, on 18 March 2017. There was usually such a flurry of activity around these feeders, not only from Hummingbirds, but also birds such as Bananaquits and Purple and Green Honeycreepers. This was Day 6, out of our 8-day (plus 2 travel days) trip, so I am very slowly, but surely, getting closer and closer to the end. This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so may have been familiar with a few of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way. Even after a few weeks, I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.

There is just something about Owls and the way they capture your heart : ) You want to encourage them and protect them at the same time. A few of us were treated to this beautiful sight, and more, when both Great Horned Owlets flapped, clawed and climbed their way to the top edge of their nesting cavity. As if that wasn't enough, we even watched as Mom flew to where they were and fed them a Northern Flicker for supper - oops, looks like it was maybe a Blue-winged Teal after all. We had kind of wished that it was a Starling instead, but everything has to eat : ) Took lots of photos, so hope you don't get bored to death. I do try and space them out to give you a break from owls, owls and more owls. The light was not good and unfortunately, my camera doesn't sem to like being pointed up towards the sky, but I am just thankful for any photo that comes out sufficently well. On top of seeing the owls, it was so good to bump into a few friends, too : )

This is an Isabella's Heliconian butterfly, of the Longwing species. Thanks for the ID, info and link, Art (LeapFrog!)! One of the many species seen in the new Enmax Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo. We walked along the Bow River south of 22X (northwards from 194th Avenue SW) all morning. Saw my first Cinnamon Teal and Tree Swallow of the year : ) Called in to see the Great Horned Owlets on the way home, and then went and vacuumed and washed my vehicle so that it's fit to go for an oil change in the next week. Quite a hot, sunny day today - just gorgeous weather (it's supposed to be spring, not summer) - but it is about to change, LOL. Of course - I've got a lovely clean car! Some people perform a Rain Dance - I don't need to, I just wash my car, ha, ha.