December 17, 2004
Viva Mexico! Part 2 - Valladolid and Coba
Our hotel in Valladolid had a commanding view of the central plaza.
Birding around wasn't too bad either, with Yellow-throated and Tennessee Warblers, Social Flycatcher and the distinctive race of Hooded Oriole all seen around the hotel gardens. This Cinnamon Hummingbird was the first of many seen on the trip...
... while this was our only sighting of Grayish Saltator.
We left Valladolid for the jungle-enshrouded ruins of Coba. There's a nice view from the top of the tallest pyramid, but it's quite a climb!
Even though we arrived fairly late in the morning, the place was hopping with birds including my life Short-tailed Hawk, a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl being mobbed viciously by an American Redstart and Black-and-White Warbler, 2 Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, Masked Tityra, Brown Jay, Black-headed Saltator and 4 Tanager spp (Summer, Rose-throated, Red-crowned and Red-throated Ant-Tanagers). Eastern US passerines were also well-represented, with Least Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Hooded, Black-throated Green and Worm-eating Warblers all present.
It was difficult to photograph birds in the shaded canopy, but I managed this shot of an immature Yucatan Jay...
... and this one of a smart Black-headed Trogon (lifer!).
A walk around the lake produced a single Anhinga
and Neotropic Cormorant.
We flushed my life Ruddy Crake, but were unable to find any Least Grebes amongst the many Pied-billed. These dogs were either very brave or very stupid!
Once the dogs moved on, this croc turned his attention to me, at which point I beat a hasty retreat!
While waiting for the bus to Tulum, a roadside pool proved attractive to Melodious Blackbirds, Bronzed Cowbirds, and both Common and Ruddy Ground-Doves.
