IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING ABOUT THE BIRD PHOTOS, Connie took a birding trip to Papua New Guinea in mid-August, sans moi,. The reasons I didn’t go along are many — leeches, jungly mountains, beta-blockers and a dislike of groups lead the list. This is the first time we’ve been apart since 2003 — and it sucked. While I stayed in Washington with the RV for three weeks, she saw 20 different Birds of Paradise and added 250 species to her Life List, which now stands at 4,600. All-in-all it was worth all the aggrivation and frustration she endured.
Greater Bird of Paradise
As Connie tells it, Rockjumper lived up to their low standards. The group leader failed to show up, citing vias issues. The assitant, on his third consecutive PNG trip, was fried — and in over his head. He was great with logistics and taking care of the group but was far from expert when it came to the birds. The local guides knew the birds but . . . oh, well, you get the idea. The group was disfunctional, even for birders. Not only was she the most "normal" member, she was the best photographer. All of these pictures are hers!
BTW, despite their beauty and exotic names, Birds of Paradise are relatives of crows and ravens. Who da thunk it?
