Antigua Day 3. Crabs, Bugs, Butterflies and Blue Skies

A miscellany from Day 3 in Anitgua. Delighted to find these shore crabs busy on the rocks even if one did spit at me. Found two different shells occupied by Hermit crabs. Gradually building up number of butterfly species - here a Monarch and White Peacock plus these very abundant bugs (all names added when ID achieved). As always the sky was blue and the sea similar for a beach wedding or a lounge under a parasol.

 

 

 

Antigua Day 3 Around the Resort: Hummingbirds!!

One of my aims was to get Hummingbird images while we are here. On Friday morning, I managed flight images of the two species - each with its faults, which I would like to improve on but, from experience, it is often the first ones that remain in the memory. 1, 2. Antillean Crested Hummingbird 3-6. Green Throated Carib 7. Banaquit showing use of Beak to take nectar from base of flower 8. Black-faced Grassquit female eating dates 9,10 Two fungi species

Antigua Day 2 Afternoon and Sunset

A few more birds etc seen on our first full day, including the Grey Kingbird, together with one of many sunsets to come no doubt!! Possible IDs for checking follow - anyone knows the spider, would be grateful for help. 1. Gray Kingbird 2. White-winged Dove 3,4. Caribbean Elaenia 5. Carib Grackle 6. Ruddy Turnstone 7,8 ?type of Wasp Spider - male and female - former unfortunately ended up as a food package in the web.

Antigua - Day 2 Morning Around the Resort

I was not sure what to expect in the way of wildlife numbers as there are few tourist reports that include any details but delighted with our first day here. I use my Blog entries while away as a record of what I have seen both for friends at home but also to help me remember what I have photographed so excuse any repetition as hopefully get better shots of species. The Banaquit is the most abundat bird. Also shown Brown Pelican, Great Yellowlegs, Black Necked Stilt, Bahama Teal and one of several local Pigeon species. Add to this insects and reptiles = plenty to photograph!

 

Our Caribbean Home for Next 10 Days

We are spending 10 days in Antigua with Peter and Holly (their half of the exchange of favourite places, having done my Wengen last year). We arrived about an hour before sunset so not  much time to explore. Our little cottage among the date palms is already proving good for wildlife with views in the setting sun of mongoose, hummingbirds etc. The pools and sea all a beautiful turquoise with the moon and Venus finishing the scene once the sun was down.