El Tenedor Del Cerro

Further into dreams, we walked.  A hill created of thoughts and ideas overlooking the city of Antigua, Guatemala

White-eared Hummingbird

Sometimes I have to stop and pull away from the birds and absorb the spaces I'm birding. 

Many of the images were haunting as we strolled this park known as El Tenedor Del Cerro(or the Hill's Fork).  This lush outdoor gallery showcases the many works of Guatemalan artists.

However, the heart of this park is based from the works of Efrain Recinos.  He passed away in 2011 but left quite a bit of his imagery behind for future generations to ponder.

In his work, he utilized lots of birds and soul devouring statues.  The image above was haunting.  What was he trying to say here?  The Resplendent Quetzal, Guatemala's national symbol and pride is shown in this ghostly form.

Then we come across many of these demonic images. It's like he actually captured evil spirits and put them inside of his work.  Talk about creepy. 

While we were at this park, we were able to play with birds.  Or they were able to play with our things.  Lynda and I had a great lunch on top of this hill overlooking the city. Now the parrots in the pic above seem to like me but really they were only interested in my buttons, zippers, and little metal pieces found around my gear.

There was a little boy fascinated by the birds.  He began to ask questions and instead of the people handling the parrots answering them, I had unintentionally taken over the job. They didn't have the answers and I took over because my Mother raised parrots and finches growing up.....and I could answer them.  I became so excited that I didn't realize what I had done until after the incident.

Notice the "hands" for feet

Spanish, birds, wildlife......

How does this picture make you feel?

I thank my Mom for exposing me to parrots and finches while I was in high school.  I didn't realize how this would all turn out in my life, but it seems one natural progression is turning into another. If it's one thing that El Tenedor Del Cerro does, it makes one think about random things. More to come.....

When Did I Know I Was.....

My little baby Quetzali...my Peach Faced Love Bird.  My glasses were only worn at night before bed.

 Different?  Well I suppose it started a long time ago.  Probably around 5th grade I started having these feelings....

Azul gives me kisses before I put him to bed.  I didn't wear glasses back then like I do now so they weren't very stylish:)

 ....but I didn't want people to know how I felt or to show others my true self....

My Mom and "Chuckie"(the green Quaker parrot) hang out with Catrina.

 ....because maybe I'd get beat up, laughed at, or ridiculed for expressing myself......

One Christmas, Mom and "Zuli"(Azul's nickname) sent a card out to friends and family.  Note: my Father is not in the picture:) I guess we know where he stood:) LOL!

 but thankfully I had my Mother there to help me along the way into the world of birding.  Today she is just as nuts and crazy for birds as ever.  So is my Dad.  Birds. Birds. Birds.  We have raised parrots from eggs and lived with birds most of our lives.  Today my Dad cares for a special needs Macaw named Sammy and my mom has a friend with Tamara....our African Grey.  The Blue and Gold Macaw above is "Azul" and he's happily living with others.  This "little" guy was raised from an egg.

But in college, I decided that birds were never meant to be put in cages nor should I ever wear large eye glasses.  In 1995, I gave up my lovebirds and today they live in large and open cages to fly around anywhere they want.  I had a hard time keeping my little Peach faced buddy in her cage.  She had free reign in our small apartment and my friends always got a kick out of this cute little bird.  But when I started travelling full time, I couldn't take care of her like before and today, some 18 years later, she is still alive and kicking.  I suppose I have my parents and grandparents to thank for my latent interest in birding:) So I guess I knew that I was a secretive birder since 5th grade.  Now I'm open about it and it feels good.