Don't forget to look up while walking through our rainforest.

Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 10:07:35 AM

This morning, around 8:30, as I was walking out of my office in the rainforest, I heard a very loud squawking noise. I looked up and saw a pure white large bird fly over the trees. It landed nearby and continued its raucous call. Harvey, Rod and I walked in the direction of the sound. We looked up to see a beautiful cockatoo perched upon the tip of a Veitchia spear leaf. Eventually the bird flew to the east, before I could get a good photo. We occasionally have macaws and Amazon parrots visit the garden to eat palm fruits. So, next time you visit Fairchild, remember to look up. In our rainforest you will see orchids, bromeliads, ferns, and aroids growing up in the trees. You might even see an exotic bird!

2 comments - Add a comment

Dear Mary: I am enjoying reading your blog, and will look forward to you sharing your observations on a regular basis! What fun! I saw some BIG caterpillars on the dutchman's pipe vine today -- beautiful! I'm sure you've seen them already but they were new to me. - bye for now!

posted by Arlene, Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 3:07 PM

The large caterpillars on the dutchman's pipe were probably the larva of the polydamas swallowtail butterfly.

posted by Mary Collins, Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 6:09 PM