Cheep, Cheep, Cheep

Most of the blog entries are lengthy, but this morning I want to note one thing. We are usually up and at 'em before 6 a.m....this a.m. after fixing coffee pot for students and staff, I walked down the "hill" to look at the wide variety of flowers here on the seminary grounds, and also to keep an eye out for any birds of interest. I know this may sound boring, but there is quite a variety of both flowers/plants and birds here.

Hummingbirds have a call or song that's more like a squeak....a "cheep cheep" sound, at least some we've seen here. As I was walking up the hill by the mission office, I heard that sound. I stopped and waited, because the little fellas or ladies, as the case may be are, at times, difficult to spot.

Above me, and just down the hillside sat a hummingbird on a branch. This was one of the varieties with 2 long tail feathers. I'd say the bird's body might be 2" in length, and the tail feathers are about 6" in length. We looked at each other for a good bit, then as he/she (identity issues, here) flew away the two long tail feathers spread out and had a 'bowlegged' arc to them. Quite a sight.

Before I jump back into working on a paper, I just wanted to make note of this 'sighting'. Cheep-cheep thrills in Ecuador.