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Archive for June, 2007
June 28, 2007 at 3:11 am · Filed under Birding
6-16
We had some time to wander around while waiting for a video capture to complete. There wasn’t much activity because we had waited until it was mid-morning, but I still saw some new things.
Lodgings in Yaounde
- African Thrush
- Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
- Yellow-throated Leaflove
- Black-and-white Mannikin
- Rufous-crowned Eremomela
6-22
After breakfast
Lodgings in Yaounde
- Green-throated Sunbird
- Collared Sunbird
- Grey-headed Negrofinch
Afternoon
Lodgings in Yaounde
6-23
Afternoon
Lodgings in Yaounde
- Mosque Swallow
- African Palm Swift
- Blue-spotted Wood Dove
The Blue-spotted Wood Dove was in nest in the tree where the Sunbirds hang out. We got an even better view the next day and were even able to watch her feed her young.
6-24
In the morning
Lodgings in Yaounde
I also saw several species of Sunbird. I keep thinking that I’ll remember enough detail about what they look like to identify them when I have a chance to compare with the field guide, but I haven’t had any success thus far. They’re all too much alike!
6-26
In the morning
Lodgings in Yaounde
This one definitely looked exotic. Not quite as cool as the African Paradise Flycatcher, but still pretty exciting.
6-27
In the morning
Lodgings in Yaounde
- Yellow-fronted Canary
- Common Fiscal
I also got a much better view of the Pin-tailed Whydah today. Apparently it likes to stay around a little clump of grass toward the back of the center where it can find tasty insects to munch on.
6-27
In the morning
Lodgings in Yaounde
Today is our last day in Cameroon. Overall, things were fairly quiet this morning, and I didn’t see any new birds. I did get a last look a few Sunbirds. I’ve pretty much given up trying to tell the different kinds apart, and since this was my last chance to see them for this trip, I decided to just enjoy their beauty instead of trying to analyze them. We also got one last look at the Pin-tailed Whydah that’s been hanging around the back of the center. It felt kind of like saying goodbye.
I’m looking forward to going home, but I will miss all the interesting and colorful birds we’ve seen here.
June 16, 2007 at 2:23 am · Filed under Birding
We’re back in Yaounde now. I haven’t seen as many birds here because, as usual, I tend to sleep in until the last possible moment, and we’ve been pretty busy since we got here.
6-15
Lodgings in Yaounde
This one looks pretty unusual. It’s a black and white with clear lines between the two colors, kind of like a Mannikin, but it has this big red flap above its eye. When I first saw it, I though the red thing actually was its eye. I think it would be painful to have a big red eye.
June 11, 2007 at 9:44 am · Filed under Birding
Yesterday was a pretty good day for birding. I got to see a few new things in the morning and then a real treat while we were in Kejom-Ketingo in the afternoon.
6-10
Lodgings in Bameda
- Mousebird
- Black-necked Weaver
- Pygmy Kingfisher
And, I’m pretty happy to say that I identified the Black-necked Weaver all on my own. :-) I only got a brief glimpse of the Pygmy Kingfisher, but it’s the second brief glimpse I’ve gotten of it, so I think I’ll count it.
Baptist church in Kejom-Ketingo
This one was awesome! We got to watch it swoop around and catch flies. The red wingtips flashed brightly in the sunlight as it gracefully maneuvered around its prey. Why couldn’t that crazy Shakespeare fan have brought this kind of Starling over? It’s way better than the European variety.
June 9, 2007 at 4:00 pm · Filed under Wycliffe
I’m in Cameroon now! Sorry for the lack of updates, but Internet access is hard to come by. We’ve been busy traveling all over the country and seeing the many Bible translation and literacy projects. So far, we’ve been to the Bakossi, Bambalang, Bamunka, Bafanji, and Babanki projects.
I’ve been very impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the translators and literacy teachers. What’s really exciting is that many of these projects are being led by Africans, not people who have come over from other countries. These communities have really been blessed with some highly talented people.
Bolt, Alan, and I have been interviewing, videoing, and photographing like crazy, and there’s still now way that we’ll be able to truly capture everything that’s happening here. Not that we won’t try. :-)
I’ve been shooting a lot of video, which is something new to both me and Bolt. It’s been fun, and I’ve also enjoyed doing some of the editing. If you’d like to see the fruits of our labor, we’re trying to post regular video updates on Bolt’s blog: The Translation Beat.
I hope to get a longer update put together some time in the next week or so.
June 9, 2007 at 3:34 pm · Filed under Birding
Now that I’m in Cameroon, I’ve been trying to keep track of all the birds I’m seeing. I haven’t been quite as diligent as Bolt at the whole birding thing. Unlike him, I like sleeping in the morning. But I have enjoyed what I’ve been able to see during the “in between” moments of the day.
For the most part, I’ve recorded only the first time I’ve seen a particular bird.
5-26
CABTAL Center in Yaounde
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
- Bronze Mannikin
- Village Weaver
- Pied Crow
5-27
Lodgings in Tombel
These things really are common. They seem to be pretty much everywhere.
5-29
Bible Translation Office in Tombel
I also got to see Black and Village Weavers actually weaving for the first time here. The process is really quite complicated and impressive. They make little upside-down baskets using strands of leaves for their nests.
Near the Presbyterian Church in Nyasoso
I took some video of this one that should show up on Bolt’s blog eventually.
5-30
Lodgings in Tombel
5-31
Driving out of Tombel
This one was fun because I actually helped Bolt identify it in the field guide instead of just having him figure it out for me.
6-2
Lodgings at Bambalang
- African Green Pigeon
- Red-eyed Dove
- Tropical Boubou
- Splendid Sunbird
- Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu
- Splendid Glossy Starling
At the lake in Bambalang
- Intermediate Egret
- Squacco Heron
- Long-tailed Cormorant
- African Jacana
- Grey-headed Gull
This day was definitely good for birding. I was so used to waking up early that I had some extra time in the morning. Then, while we were out at the lake, we had some time to kill while Alan was taking photos.
The birds here in Africa sure seem to be more colorful than the ones from back home. Our Rock Pigeons really can’t hold a candle to the African Green Pigeon, and the iridescent Splendid Sunbirds and Splendid Glossy Starlings are splendid indeed! I guess our European Starlings are a little bit shiny too, but they’re not bright blue like the Splendid Glossy ones.
6-3
Walking around Bamunka
- African Paradise Flycatcher
This one was particularly amazing. The Scissortails back in Texas have always been a favorite of mine, and this one looks even more incredible than those.
6-4
Lodgings at Bamunka
- Western Grey Plantain-eater
6-7
Lodgings at Bafanji
Hi there. My name is Curtis Hawthorne, but most of my friends call me Fjord.