Thankful for Grooming

Warning: this post might be disturbing for the germaphobic.

After the turtle hatchery, we drove a few miles to the little village of La Ventanilla (the little window), named for this rock formation. The village is inhabited by 25 families who work together to preserve the local mangrove swamp and its fauna. We came to take a tour of this mangrove swamp and see us some cocodrilos.

It didn't take long for the cocodrilos to appear.
It was extremely hot there in the sun with the ocean breeze blocked by the dunes. This vulture seemed to be waiting for us to expire.

Egret #1. This place was a bird-watcher's paradise.

Our ticket claimed that in addition to a lagoon tour, we would also gain access to a crocodile hatchery and the Ventanilla Zoo. The fellow paddling our boat pulled up to a dock on a little island and ushered us all out. The "zoo" consisted of some local wildlife in small, chain-linked fence cages.

Zorra wanted to take home this little fox (zorra) that was about the size of a house cat.

It was love at first sight for Nevara and the monkey there.

Probable not the same annoying grackle from the turtle hatchery, but you never know.

Hibiscus sabdariffa -- the type of Hibiscus used to make the drink jamaica.

White-throated Magpie-jay -- Calositta formosa

Baby crocodiles

Guinea Fowl -- these lovelies were walking around the outdoor kitchen of a local eatery there next to the animal pens. We had a snack to eat but stayed vegetarian with quesadillas and admired the adorable baby sleeping in a hammock. She looked so cute and comfortable.

While Raul and I finished up our eating, we allowed the girls to wander back to their favourite animals. When we came to collect them, Nevara was at the monkey pen grooming and getting groomed. Zorra was with the little fox, petting this sad little creature who really wanted to go home with us.

We didn't pet the crocodiles.

Despite an hour of research, I have no idea what kind of bird this is.

So, we were cruising back, and we saw in the water a really huge log-looking thing. Turned out to be a crocodile swimming next to us -- a 4-meter long crocodile.

Anhinga -- Anhinga anhinga. When we saw this giant bird sitting in a tree, Raul asked the guide for me what kind of bird it was. His response, "Pato." Duck. It turns out that in Oaxaca, any water fowl of a certain size that you can't identify is called a duck.

Iguana (actually there is a second one in this picture -- can you see it?)

Another Egret

Northern Jacana -- Jacana spinosa

Being that it was Thanksgiving, I went out swimming with the girls that evening and talked about what we are thankful for. Zorra was thankful for crocodiles and foxes. Nevara was thankful to have finally found someone who respects her. She said, "That monkey respected me!" Why do you think that? "He showed his respect by grooming me."

I am thankful for my wonderful family with whom I can have incredible adventures, especially my funny children -- incredible adventures themselves.