Blue Footed Boobies and Red Throated Frigatebirds

Went to "the poor man's Galapagos" Isla de la Plata for more whale watching, snorkeling, and a bird watching hike.  It was a fun day 15 km out in the Pacific, and these birds are very special. Blue footed boobies are found in tropical areas, and their blue colored feet are the result of their fish diet and genetics.  More about this unique bird HERE on Wikipedia.    Frigatebirds are large, with wingspans over 7 1/2 feet, and deeply forked tails.  The males have inflatable red-colored throat pouches call gular pouches which they inflate to attract females during the mating season. Frigatebirds can be found in tropical climates near the ocean. Here is a link to info about them.  Like it or not, this blog will show lots of birds in the future, because Ecuador has 1633 different species of birds, one of the highest concentrations of unique species in the world.  Each of their stories is so interesting, and taking their pictures is challenging, but very, very fun.  Enjoy!!

Blue-Footed Booby

Frigatebird---the male is red-throated in mating season

Blue-footed booby lookin' atcha

You lookin' at me???

With all these beautiful species, I'm learning to be a birder!

Pelicans!

A Whale of a Good Time!

Our bed and breakfast room is whale-themed!

For the Independence Day weekend, we headed to the Pacific coast for whale watching.  Our room at Villa de los Suenos bed and breakfast is themed in humpback whales with a giant mural on the headboard.    Spent the day out on a small boat scanning the ocean for whales with several other passengers, captain, and crew.  We saw 8 or 9 humpback whales in the span of a couple hours, some quite close to the boat.  They were magnificent, massive creatures!!!  All making their migrations north to the other side of the Equator. I took dozens of pictures, but they did not turn out as well as some of these I borrowed from other whale watchers in Puerto Lopez.  Following the whale watching, we enjoyed ceviche and camarones in a beachside restaurant, then relaxing massages.  A great day celebrating our independence!

Colorful hammocks and fabrics for sale in Puerto Lopez

Puerto Lopez fishermen restringing their nets

Puerto Lopez Taxicab

Beauty, strength, joy

Ceviche---uummmmm good!

Shelly relaxing after ballenas,  ceviche and  camarones

Fantastic performances (whale photos from another photog)

Honoring America From Afar

Consular and Embassy Leaders
Ambassador Adam E. Namm (right)

One of the best days of the year being U.S. diplomats overseas is when we honor America with Independence Day celebrations.  Consulates and embassies put on star spangled events inviting host country guests to help us celebrate America's birthday.  Our consulate was no exception, and we had a great big party on Wednesday, with Ambassador Namm as the guest of honor.  What is also remarkable is how many other organizations here in Ecuador have had USA-themed Independence Day events.  I represented the U.S. at a graduation ceremony last week at the Centro Ecuatoriano/Norte Americano (CEN), and later gave a lecture at the local American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham).  At both events, the stars and stripes were in prominent and honored positions.  Happy birthday, America, from All Over the World!!!!

CEN Leaders, the Valedictorian, and DSC

Linking Two Nations by Education

CEN Graduates in a USA sponsored English program

Lucho Silva Quartet Plays Jazz to Celebrate the USA

238th Birthday Cake

80 Year Old Lucho Silva Rocks!

Fiesta de San Pedro

When possible, we get out of town every weekend.  This weekend was filled with serendipity.  We went to Ayangue for scuba diving in the Pacific, our first time diving in that ocean.  Following the dive, we were famished.  New scuba diving friends had recommended the fresh lobster at Panchita's on the beach.  Delightful!  Inexpensive lobster tails in butter with all the trimmings.  World Cup game on TV in the corner of the beach shack.  Finished eating and our new friends invited us to take part in festivities celebrating Ayangue's patron saint, San Pedro.  In the center of this little fishing village, there was a brass band, dancers, and statues of St. Peter dressed as a sailor (being "fishers of men" Mateo 4:18-19), the fiesta queens, and an ocean-bound boat parade to the village of San Pedro just up the coast.  We ate it all up, boating with a professional fisherman and his family. Circumnavigated an island filled with thousands of pelicans and gulls.  More dancing and music at San Pedro, then back to the Ayangue beach for relaxation and a late afternoon trip home.  Great memories of the local fiesta and new friends!

Shelly enjoying Panchita's lobster!

With St. Peter on my right and the fiesta queens on my left;
a great day in the village!

The fisherman goes 10 miles out to sea at 5pm every night,
returning with his catch in these nets at 3 am.

Fisherman Jose and family

Pelicans and gulls on the Bird Island

Taking San Pedro for a cruise

American Passengers

Fun taking pictures of the American Passengers

All boats were decorated

New scuba and fiesta friend Carlos