Way too much food
Trip Start
Apr 21, 2011
1
7
17
Trip End
May 06, 2011
Where I stayed
Rancho La Belen
Najasa, Camagüey, Cuba
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Breakfast was a formidable meal that was too much for most of us and Camillo was waiting and ready to get started. He knows the area like the back of his hand and he asked us what bird we would like to see so we opted for Giant Kingbird. We were looking at a pair within five minutes of setting off and there followed a three hour stroll through some beautiful and species rich scenery with incredible numbers of woodpeckers. Highlights for us included an Eastern Meadowlark, Palm Crow and a Cuban Pygmy Owl.
Camillo is an excellent guide, taciturn and observant. A little knowledge of Spanish would be helpful if you decide to take on his services but he knows the English names of all the birds and his interest extends to the plants and insects of the area as well.
Lunch was way too big, with three courses again and the heat of the afternoon was so intense that after a short walk that didn’t result in anything new we found a shady spot by the swimming pool, did a few widths and had a few drinks whilst watching a pair of Black-cowled Orioles nest-building. As the afternoon drew on and the temperature fell a little, we first spent some time around the gardens looking for butterflies and later had a stroll to the trees where we’d seen parrots and parakeets the previous day but with less luck.
Dinner came around too soon and was yet another mountain of home-produced food. If you visit Cuba to watch birds, Rancho Belen should be on your list, but don’t go for the three meal package unless you’re really hungry. Breakfast and dinner will be plenty for most people. Bring your own toilet paper too. There seemed to be a shortage.
