Happy Sunday!
Thank you to everyone who asked questions! I got so many great ones - I look forward to answering them all. Since I got to pick, I chose a question relating to a favorite topic - NATURE! - first. I hope you enjoy the pics!
Question: I thought you would be exploring nature, taking pictures of birds and butterflies. We were expecting you to post nature photos. Can you explore nature on your own? Or would you have to arrange to have a buddy take you away from the convent?
Answer: Thanks for the questions! I have been quite remiss in not posting my nature photos. I haven't been out on my own yet, my Spanish is too sketchy and I don't often understand what people are saying to me, so I think it's best to have a buddy for now. Luckily, the sisters here like nature too - and have quite a bit of it here in the convent, too!
Here, there are so many big wonderings, I have been prioritizing them over pictures of birds and butterflies, but your question reminds me that there is a lot to learn from creation as well - and those learnings bring me closer to my Creator. I think the simplest and biggest lesson that creation here in Bolivia teaches me is that even though so much is different than what I am used to, it is still filled with the love and creative expression of God. It's easy to see that as I am witness to God's creative joy in the diversity of the creatures around here. To see a Capped Heron catch a frog, and three bright Macaws fly over the convent, it is clear that God is not only loving and intelligent, God is also amazingly creative. Each new bit of creation I find reminds me that God is full of surprises!
Above: Little-Banded Swift
Above: Orcas Checkered Skipper
Above: Florida White
Above: Dorante Longtail
Above: Polydamas Swallowtail
Above: Julia Heliconian
Above: Red Peacock
Above: Green-banded Urania
Above: Thoas Swallowtail
Above: Greater Ani, photo taken in Yaguarú wetlands
Above: Cocoi Heron, photo taken in Yaguarú wetlands
Above: Neotropic Cormorant, photo taken in Yaguarú wetlands
Above: Snail Kite, photo taken in Yaguarú wetlands
Above: Black Vulture, photo taken in Yaguarú wetlands
Above: Female Saffron Finch, photo taken on the convent grounds
Above: White-Banded Mockingbird -- trying to look threatening to a Rufous Hornero, photo taken on the convent grounds
Above: Rufous-Throated Sapphire, photo taken on the convent grounds
This is the best photo I could get of a hummingbird. You'd think with 75ish species of hummingbirds, one would sit still for me.
Above: Tropical Kingbird, photo taken on the convent grounds
When you are frustrated with hummingbirds, you can always count on this fellow to strike a pose.
Above: Whistling Heron, photo taken at a resort/family water park that was closed, but they let us in to look at birds anyway
Above: Blue-and-yellow Macaw, photo taken at the same resort
This bird was a pet of theirs, but such a beauty, and a good representative of the many that fly over the convent.
Above: Guira Cuckoos, photo taken at Hermana's farm out in the country.
They were kind enough to let me come along while they worked so I could take photos of birds and then even stopped the car each time so I could snap some shots!
Above: Limpkin, photo taken on the road back from the farm
Above: Capped Heron, photo taken on the road back from the farm
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