Montevideo Uruguay

Arrived 0700 hrs in Montevideo of note Band tailed gulls also brown hooded gulls and Olivaceous cormorants.

Around 10.00hrs got off the boat and did a walking tour of the city,we walked through Mercado Puerto on to Plaza Zabala.

On to the Durango St where flea markets entertained us along with Monk Parakeets,eared doves etc.

Moving along Sarandi we entered the Cathedral Metropolitani before arriving at Constitution Square.

Finally passing through the gate of the original  citadel in to Independence Square.Back to Mercado Puerto  we stopped  for a beer and garlic prawns while  watching Uruguay Tango.

Finally we returned to the ship and sailed onwards to the Falklands.

Buenos Airies the city and its culture

Arrived BA in the rain we checked in had breakfast had a siesta noted American Kestrel from the hotel,went for a walk along Reconquista,before our visit to Hotel Faena for the Rojo tango.

We sat close to the stage and had a meal with close views of this excellent production.

The following morning our guide arrived for our tour of Buenos Airies her name was Anna ,the first stop was the Plaza de Mayo the political heart of Argentina,here the obelisk and markings of the people killed in the revolution.

Opposite Casa Rosado where Eva Peron stood on the balcony.

Here's Madonna looking like Eva in the film Don't cry for me Argentina.

Just before leaving the square I see Argentinas national bird its the Rufous Hornero.

A beautiful Baroque church San Pedro Gonzalez was plain but incredible.

Next up the Boca with classic murals of Che,Maradonna,Peron on this highly garish painted neighbourhood.

The Boca juniors stadium where the kids were playing football in the street and tango was everywhere.

on route back the tower of the English the Metal flower and Eva Peron's statue.

Finally the Cemetario de Recoleta this amazing resting place of affluent people.

Including Eva Perons family a great but short tour of this fabulous city.

birding in buenos airies

Met Marcelo Gavensky and got a cab from the hotel to Costanera del Sur where on arrival a Grey necked Woodrail obliged immediately.

Birds were arriving thick and fast Chalk browed Mockingbird and in the marsh Cocoi Heron and Great White Egret.

This area is classified as urban birding it was so diverse.

Now the Coots came closer Red Gartered and Red Fronted showed well.

I even photographed White Tufted Grebe ,we searched for Bitterns and found Rufescent Tiger Herons.

While overhead noisy Nanday conures seemed common,lots of duck up to four species of Teal.

Silver,Ringed,Brazillian and Yellow billed along with Rosy bill Pochards,
a humming bird called Glittering Bellied Emerald showed along with Red crested Cardinal.

Distant  Limpkin along with Southern Screamer and eventually Monk Parakeet.

The nest of the Rufous Hornero was something and my favourite passerine was the Spectacled Tyrant.

Finally great views of Limpkin feeding close to the entrance of the park.

The wooded area and phragmites produced juvenile Harris Hawk and Guira cuckoo ended our morning.A cab back to the hotel goodbye to Marcelo.