I’d say it was simply one other mundane morning on the therapy ponds in SW Tobago – however this wouldn’t be true irrespective of how handy the framing can be to set the stage for this submit. A number of migratory species had been round – I’ll contact on these in a subsequent submit – however all was quiet and calm nonetheless.
Geese and grebes paddled round, Anhingas swam beneath the floor, sometimes showing with a skewered fish. A Black Skimmer drifted from one finish of the pond to the opposite, oftentimes coming into such proximity that the swishing of its feathers was audible. I had been visiting the ponds for the geese, however stayed for the overall atmosphere.
An Anhinga tosses her freshly caught breakfast.
Black Skimmer
Two immature Least Grebes method an grownup, asking kindly for a snack.
After about an hour, I seen an unfamiliar presence: a Spectacled Caiman! These small crocodilians pose no risk to people, however I had by no means earlier than seen one in these ponds. Positive sufficient, I puzzled about their presence as there was ample meals out there – fish and aquatic invertebrates – however hadn’t seen one up till this explicit morning.
Because the caiman blinked its eyes and lay immobile within the water, it grew to become obvious that I wasn’t the one one shocked by its presence. A Least Grebe started a tentative method, its shiny yellow eyes affixed on the caiman. Slowly, it obtained nearer. And nearer. Was it going to waltz into turning into breakfast?
Possibly the grebe had by no means seen a Spectacled Caiman earlier than? Maybe the fowl was making an attempt to get a better view, in order to reference the pictures of attainable threats it realized as a younger fowl? Oh, how the belongings you be taught at school very quickly vaporize as soon as maturity units in…
My evaluation of the state of affairs was that the grebe made a really ideal-sized meal for the caiman. It appeared as if it was virtually the right dimension. As I used to be pondering this, making the calculations of caiman jaw dimension versus grebe roundness – the fowl instantly panicked, as people do once they stumble upon one thing unfamiliar at midnight.
As comical because it was, the caiman didn’t appear too amused by the entire thing, and started to lazily swim off towards the opposite finish of the pond. Which attracted extra consideration from the twenty-or-so Least Grebes within the pond. Adults and juveniles all surrounded the beast, whereas preserving a decent distance.
Finally the caiman disappeared and equilibrium was restored. I spoke with another birders who additionally remarked on seeing the caiman for the primary time. Did I witness the initiation of the caiman into life on this therapy pond? I’ve seen the species talked about right here fortunately coexisting somewhere else, so I didn’t anticipate curiosity from both get together. However nature continues to emphasise the purpose that species are usually not people.