tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10531049.post-1159043146887481612006-09-23T15:22:00.000-05:002006-09-23T15:29:28.060-05:00<A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/640/IMG_5802.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/320/IMG_5802.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='clear:all;float:left;margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor:hand'></A>&nbsp;<br /><A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/640/IMG_5804.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/320/IMG_5804.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='clear:all;float:left;margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor:hand'></A>&nbsp;<br /><A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/640/IMG_5805.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/320/IMG_5805.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='clear:all;float:left;margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor:hand'></A>&nbsp;<br /><A HREF='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/640/IMG_5809.jpg'><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6409/818/320/IMG_5809.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='clear:all;float:left;margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; cursor:hand'></A>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a> So this letter was sent to Bernie & Evonne of s/v Australia 31, avid birdwathers: The first one was riding the windvane like a carnival ride, then lit upon the lifeline. Then another showed up beside the first that the "squatter" pecked down out of reach. Then Rick fed them water from a bowl and they perched on his hand to drink. Then a third flew in to sit upon the main halyard under the dodger thinking it could fly thru the clear shield. None seem stressed or upset, just exhausted. We have not seen land for at least 7 hours but loving their company. Rick just reported that "one just shit on my cushion, that lil' bastard!" They are now all three on the dodger top not an inch apart. They are not like any bird in our book, similar to the cliff swallow but with no distinct white collar. Shall I scrutinize one's rectal orifice for identification in your Birds of Panama book? Here flies in another, this one a bit smaller---with a definite chestnut collar, possibly a cave swallow? They were delighted when we unzipped the dodger window so they could fly in and out. Will this be a problem when the immigration officer comes aboard tomorrow? Our crew list only shows two passengers. Awaiting a swift reply, TerryMorning Starnoreply@blogger.com