Day With Roger And The Birds

November 2018

Tom and I are not birders.  We don’t specifically go out looking for birds…..or we didn’t until we went to Guyana.  There we did specifically go birding to see macaws, toucans, and a few others.  In Trinidad, we have been to Asa Wright Bird Center.  But we aren’t serious birders.  

We learned of Roger Neckles from Laura and Jason (sv Blue Blaze).  In the fall of 2016, they had gone out with Roger for a full day of birding.  They couldn’t say enough wonderful things about this day.  Good enough for us.  I contact him and set it up.  Bruce (sv Wild Matilda) and Susie (sv Spirited Lady) came along as well.

Roger is the premier wildlife photographer in the Caribbean.  He has worked for National Geo as well as many other well known magazines and wildlife organizations.  He has done lengthy photo assignments in northern Norway and Novia Scotia.  Oh yeah, and he happens to be Trini.  Roger was born in Trinidad but moved to England when he was a baby and raised there.  But he came home to roost some thirty years ago.  Get it?  Roost?  Bahahahha!  He shoots all wildlife but birds are his specialty and passion.  And when I say passion, I mean it.  He goes out nearly every day and he still gets excited about seeing various birds and getting THE SHOT – the perfect pic.  Besides his own birding and pictures, he teaches photography, does guided tours like ours and goes on group bird holidays as the trips expert.

Pre-sunrise over TTSA

Pre-sunrise over TTSA

Since we are NOT birders, meaning we don’t have a list of birds we are checking off, and we are not amateur photographers……I am a point and shoot sort of girl, we told Roger “We can do whatever.  We just want to go, see and learn.”  I will say Bruce is a very good amateur photographer.  In fact, he has probably sold his photos a few times as he is that good.  I let Roger know that Bruce was the photographer in our group and he was good at making sure Bruce got The Shot on several occasions. 

He picked us up at 5:30 am SHARP.  We took off for Caroni swamp.  However, we weren't out of sight of the sailboats in Chaguaramas when Susie pointed out the beautiful, stormy sunrise over TTSA and Roger whipped off to the side of the road so he/we could take a few pics of it.  Stunning. 

cardinal the same colors at TT national flag

I thought this was funny

At Caroni Swamp, we didn’t actually go in but hung around at the entrance looking for a specific cardinal.  It wasn’t long until Roger spotted one.  Then he began calling it.  Another one showed up and they kept coming closer and closer, responding to Roger’s bird calls.  His bird calls are simply amazing.  We also spotted a few Scarlet Ibis in the tree tops in the distance.  Roger pointed out a few other birds of course.  As we were driving out of the swamp, we spotted a few Scarlet Ibis in the mangroves feeding.  It was SO dramatic seeing the head to toe, bright red birds feeding among the brown of the muddy mangroves.  Roger got so excited.  We all got pics, then he tried to get a little closer via the car and then closer and closer.  “I have never been this close to a Scarlet Ibis!” 

Scarlet Ibis - SO red

To avoid the traffic, we cut through this agricultural area east of the Caroni Swamp.  Of course there were many interesting birds in this area.  I can’t name them all.  I will ask Bruce because he knows them all and get back to you.  In the mean time, just enjoy.

Can you see the bird?  Birds?

Tummies grumbling, Roger stopped at one of the famous doubles areas in Trinidad.  Just off the main highway, near the racetrack is a tiny track of dirt with 3 very busy doubles stands.  I opted for the saheena.  Yum!

Tom, Roger, Susie

Then we headed up into the mountains.  As we climbed higher on smaller, rougher roads, Roger keep a keen ear out.  Soon he heard a familiar bird, slamming on the brakes, he cocked his head out the window to listen.  “There!!  It’s a such and such woodpecker.”  We all piled out and started scanning the area he pointed to.  Sure enough, there was a big, fat woodpecker high up in a tree. Next stop we searched and searched for a ground living bird.  We could hear it but just couldn’t spot it.  Finally, Susie spotted it.  Then I spotted some other type of bird.  “Roger, what is this one?”  “Oh my goodness!  That is a blah, blah Guyana bird.” 

Can you see the big spotted moth on the side of the banana plant?

The next stop was a spot Roger had scouted earlier in the week with good luck on hummingbirds.  In a stand of wild ginger, several hummingbirds flew in for feeding.  One hummingbird kept the others away.  Roger and Bruce were focused on the feeding.  I spotted the hummingbird’s perch, where it keeps a watch for predators and other competing hummingbirds.  Roger was impressed that I found the perch and planned to set up a tripod near it in the future to get some shots.  Again, Roger’s passion for this was infectious. 

Can you see the bird nest hanging front and center?

We then drove higher up in the hills, near undeveloped land Roger owns.  He stopped to say a quick hello to his ancient neighbor and then we climbed even higher still.  We ended up at a house that had been converted into a hummingbird place.  No, not Yerette.  This is a different place.  They had four feeders set up.  We spent the next hour and a half watching dozens of hummingbirds frantically flying all around at blurring speeds, often buzzing incredibly close to us.  It turns out that these birds are actually fighting each other for feeding privileges.  The sound of the wings was a sort of buzzing (zoom, zoom, zoom) or…..humming.  Duh!  OR…..like light sabers when they are first turned on for battle!  *We just saw Star Wars The Last Jedi.”

Humming bird feeders

As we were leaving the hummingbird place I said to Roger “What is the name of this place?”  “Um……I don’t know.  Hey Henry, what is the name of this place?” he asked the guy in charge.  “Um, I don’t know.  It’s uncle’s house there.”  *Uncle is a generic term used for an elder in the Caribbean. He shrugged his shoulders and so did Roger.  A well hidden secret indeed. 

Humming birds fighting to feed

On the way back to Chagauramas Roger shared another story of his photographer adventures and answered questions.  We heard about all things birds, photography and Trinidad and beyond.  He asked what our favorite bird sighting was.  It was hard to decide.  It was all good. 

Many varieties of humming birds

While we still aren’t official birders, I do find myself wanting to get a bird book and check off those we have seen……so maybe we are on the way to being birders.  It was certainly an amazing day and we learned a lot, giving us an even deeper understanding and appreciation of tropical birds, their beauty and struggles.  Poaching is still an issue!   Unbelievable in this day and age.  Argh!  Roger does work in the schools in Trinidad trying to teach wildlife conservation.  

See the humming bird?  My favorite one

If you are ever in Trinidad, go spend a day with Roger.  You won’t regret it.  Or go on one of the birding adventures with him.  I believe this year is Belize, Galapagos and the Amazon.  Take extra batteries! 

For more REAL pictures check out Roger's pics - Roger Neckles Photography
Bruce's pics - Wild Matilda