Date: 12/6/24 4:37 pm From: Ann Gordon <chesterann...> Subject: Re: Belize tropical biology nature tour for the AAST
I did this trip with Kannan in March 0f 2015 and even then it was not his
first rodeo. When it comes to birding and nature adventures in the tropics
he knows how to do it right! I loved everything about this trip, from the
Brown Jays the first afternoon to snorkeling with Nurse Sharks on our last
day at Caye Caulker. There were new vistas and new birds every day but
also time to relax in the hammock on the porch of our cabana where geckos
played in the thatched roof. If you've never traveled with Kannan before,
DO IT! You are in for a treat. If you have, you know what I'm
talking about. Memories to last a lifetime.
Ann Gordon
On Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 5:06 PM Ragupathy Kannan <
<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Here are testimonials from two alums of the tour.
> —————-
>
> I had the pleasure of doing this trip last May with Kannan and his
> students. I cannot say enough good things about what an absolutely
> wonderful experience it was. From the logistics, to the accommodations,
> field trip leaders, bird and wildlife sightings, canoe adventures and
> overall enthusiasm from Kannan and his students, it was absolutely
> top-notch and ranks up there with high-end birding company tours. If anyone
> is debating on whether or not to go, I say "just do it" - you will love it!
>
> Here is a link to photos from the trip, courtesy of Mike Grant:
> https://mikecurlew.smugmug.com/Belize-2023 >
> Sue Gustafson
> Bella Vista
>
> Five Coast Mississippians went on this tour in May, 2024. It was BEYOND
> fabulous. Having never birded Central America before, I added 119 lifers,
> and the FUN was immeasurable. I took home memories that will never fade,
> including over 7700 frames of bird photographs (I may never get them all
> reviewed, but each one is a treasured recollection). Feel free to email me
> if you have questions: <DrJWR1...>
> Jim Randolph
> Diamondhead
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_> >
> On Friday, December 6, 2024, 4:39 PM, Sue Gustafson <smgustafson...>
> wrote:
>
> I had the pleasure of doing this trip last May with Kannan and his
> students. I cannot say enough good things about what an absolutely
> wonderful experience it was. From the logistics, to the accommodations,
> field trip leaders, bird and wildlife sightings, canoe adventures and
> overall enthusiasm from Kannan and his students, it was absolutely
> top-notch and ranks up there with high-end birding company tours. If anyone
> is debating on whether or not to go, I say "just do it" - you will love it!
>
> Here is a link to photos from the trip, courtesy of Mike Grant:
> https://mikecurlew.smugmug.com/Belize-2023 >
> Sue Gustafson
> Bella Vista
>
> Please note: message attached
>
> From: Ragupathy Kannan <
> <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>
> To: <ARBIRD-L...>
> Subject: Belize tropical biology nature tour for the AAST
> Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 20:24:15 +0000
> Folks, for several years, we have had successful fund raising nature and
> birding tours for the Arkansas Audubon Society Trust. We have raised nearly
> $20,000 for the trust doing these tours. Many AR-birders have enjoyed these
> tours. So, please consider joining us for some great food and fun in a
> tropical paradise.
>
> I hereby announce this year's family-friendly and relaxing tour to
> Belize. Itinerary below. Price will be $2,000 plus air, including a
> donation to the AAST. Participants must be avid birders or naturalists and
> must be in good health for field trips in hot and humid conditions. Travel
> insurance is strongly recommended. If interested, please contact me offline
> at <ragupathy.kannan...>
>
> *BELIZE NATURE TOUR FUNDRAISER FOR THE ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY TRUST
> (12-20 May 2025—dates tentative)*
>
> *Itinerary*
>
> *12 MAY*. We meet our local guides at Belize City airport and travel up
> the Northern Highway to Crooked Tree village, right by the famous water
> bird sanctuary named after the village. There will be birding stops on the
> way as we pass by the lush tropical countryside. Evening outing into the
> savannahs will target the cooperatively breeding Yucatan Jays, Ani Cuckoos,
> and Acorn Woodpeckers. A short night walk will focus on reptiles and
> amphibians. Dinner and overnight at Bird’s Eye View Lodge at Crooked Tree.
> Dinner included.
>
> *13 MAY*. Early morning nature walks at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
> Water birds will be our main target, with special emphasis on Jabiru
> Storks, Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Jacanas, and Snail Kites. After
> late breakfast we leave for the Community Baboon Sanctuary in the village
> of Bermudian Landing to see the rare Black Howler monkeys. This village is
> the site of a world-famous grassroots monkey conservation project which
> involves cooperation from dozens of local villages. Pack lunch will be
> catered by local villagers. Tonight, we check into our cabanas at Crystal
> Paradise Resort near the village of Cristo Rey south of the town of San
> Ignacio near the Guatemalan border. Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort.
> All meals included.
>
> *14 MAY*. After breakfast and an early morning nature walk, we will canoe
> 8 kms down the Macal River for a thorough census and inventory of all
> wildlife. We will view sunning Iguanas or an array of birds including
> kingfishers and wood-rails. Proboscis bats and Howler monkeys may be among
> the mammal fauna encountered. See https://ebird.org/checklist/S57578318 > for birds seen and photographed during one of our previous river trips.
> This afternoon we will visit the local Cristo Rey school to interact with
> the children and donate school supplies. Overnight at Crystal Paradise
> Resort. All meals included.
>
> *15 MAY*. After nature walk and breakfast, we drive 45 minutes to the
> famous 2000-year-old Mayan ruins of Xunantunich. The partially excavated,
> largest pyramid, El Castillo, stands 130 feet above the main plaza floor,
> offering commanding views of the tropical forests and nearby Guatemala.
> Hiking up to the top is an option, and the view from there makes the effort
> worthwhile. El Castillo is famous for its friezes, which are banded stucco
> decorations. An impressive museum displays a three-dimensional model of the
> entire site and traces the evolution of the Maya civilization. Those opting
> out of the ruin hike will go on a birding walk in the woods surrounding the
> area. Before lunch at the resort, we have the option to stop for an hour at
> a local roadside tortileria to learn how to make your own tortilla.
> Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort. All meals included.
>
> *16 MAY*. Free day for doing optional birding trips at your expense.
> Possibilities include Blue Hole National Park
> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L332365> or El Pilar
> <https://ebird.org/hotspot/L499342>, either of which can add dozens of
> birds to your list. Cost expected around $100, payable directly to the
> resort. Those who opt out can stay at the resort and enjoy the wildlife in
> the area. Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort. Breakfast and dinner
> included. Lunch on your own.
>
> *17 May*. After the daily early morning nature walk and breakfast, we
> board vans and do a daytrip to the Mountain Pine Ridge. This pine
> tree-dominated forest is more than just a vast wooded area: we will explore
> deep ravines, traverse dramatic granite expanses atop the Maya Mountains,
> and observe meandering rivers, streams, waterfalls, and pools amid the
> sweet fragrance of the evergreens. We will focus on conservation efforts
> aimed at the rare Orange-breasted Falcons which nest on cliffs in the
> 1600-ft Falls. We will also learn about the devastation caused by
> pine-borer beetles to this ecosystem. You may get a chance for a refreshing
> dip by the waterfalls. Overnight at Crystal Paradise Resort. All meals
> included, including a picnic lunch by the rapids.
>
> *18 May*. After nature walk and breakfast, we pack up all our belongings
> and check out of Crystal Paradise Resort. We head toward Belize City and on
> the way, spend a few hours at the world-famous Belize Zoo, which houses
> only native animals of Belize. Near the zoo, we briefly inspect the
> tropical pine savanna habitat (where Prof. Kannan studied birds and their
> habitat extensively in the past). Those opting out of the zoo trip will go
> birding to the nearby Sibun River, where we can possibly see endemics like
> Blue Seedeater. We lunch at a picnic spot next to the zoo, after which we
> head to Belize City to catch the water taxi (a powerful ferry) for the 1-hr
> ride to Caye Caulker. Overnight at a hotel in Caye Caulker. Breakfast and
> Lunch included. Dinner on your own.
>
> *19 MAY*. Pre-breakfast birding and nature walk to the sand spits and
> mangrove forests where we look for birds such as willets, plovers,
> sandpipers and other shorebirds and water birds. Also, this is an excellent
> chance to see the endemic Black Catbird and the rare Rufous-necked
> Wood-rail amongst the mangrove vegetation. We will also find Frigate Birds
> (Man o’ War birds) and Brown Pelicans flying over the sea. Anoles lizards,
> Boa constrictors, and other herps are a possibility. After breakfast we
> will be taken by boat for snorkeling at the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve,
> where we will be treated to spectacular sights of marine life. Fish fauna
> may include large groupers, nurse sharks, sting rays, moray eels, and
> flounders, dominated by a spectacular array (17 species last year) of
> colorful coral reef fish. Depth is between 5-30 feet and visibility is
> usually excellent. Floatation devices (mandatory even if you know
> swimming!) and all snorkeling gear will be provided. Sunscreen usage a
> must. Overnight at a hotel in Caye Caulker. Breakfast and lunch included.
> Dinner on your own.
>
> *20 MAY*. After breakfast we catch the water taxi to Belize City and then
> the van to the airport for the journey back home. Breakfast included.
> *For a full photographic report of birds seen in May 2023, please
> see: https://ebird.org/tripreport/137044 > <https://ebird.org/tripreport/137044>* > *May 2024: https://ebird.org/tripreport/246075 > <https://ebird.org/tripreport/246075>* >
>
>
>
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