On our first morning, we birded in the Rio Magdalena wetlands
just east of the city of Barranquilla, where we had spent our first night after arriving in Cartagena.
These wetlands are managed for fish production and cattle grazing and are full of birds,
although on this day sadly not including
Northern Screamer which we were especially seeking here.
Later we stopped for a while at the nearby Vía Parque Isla de Salamanca, or "Salamanca Island Road Park" in English,
before setting out on the very long drive to Perijá.
The Cocoi Heron somewhat resembles its close relative, our Great Blue Heron.
Another Cocoi Heron.
Pied Water-Tyrants were fairly common here.
This Spot-breasted Woodpecker was a cooperative photographic subject.
Southern Lapwings were also fairly numerous here. They are somewhat larger than Northern Lapwing.
I should have paid more attention to the anis, as more than one species occurs here.
But this one looks like a Smooth-billed Ani.
Russet-throated Puffbird is a pretty cool-looking bird. We saw them here, and in a few other places.
Yellow-headed Caracaras are fairly often seen flying, but this one was perched.
We saw Yellow Orioles here, and elsewhere.
A few Gray-breasted Martins perched obligingly overhead.
Yellow-chinned Spinetail
Red-crowned Woodpecker is quite similar to its close relative, our Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Bicolored Wren is a large wren, like its congener the Cactus Wren.
There is a reason why this species is called Cattle Tyrant.
It's a rather terrestrial flycatcher.
Here we are in the Rio Magdalena wetlands. Photo by Merrill Lynch.
Lesser Nighthawk at its day roost. This ended up being my only photo from Salamanca.
