Jamaica- Day 7

So it's my last morning in Jamaica and I am determined to at least do a short walk around the town as my last attempt to see some birds. I didn't see much other than a lot of American kestrels, doves, pigeons and mockingbirds. There was also another Bananaquit.

The most interesting thing I observed was a hummingbird trying to scare off an American Kestrel.

 But the kestrel ultimately ignored it completely.

Unknown bush

Bananaquit

 And as every morning the lizards are out sunning themselves in the trees

Unknown lizard

The late morning was spent on the beach again and snorkeling. I was out in the water for over two hours and  I had more success on my own in scattered reef than I did on the large busy reef tour.

This was my first interesting find of the day and probably my favorite. 

Spotted moray eel and small reef fish

 

 I didn't see this founder until I scared it. Then I watched as it tried to catch small fish for lunch.

Peacock flounder

 There were a lot of puffer fish scattered through the sea grass beds.

As I looked back to see the moray again he was trying to catch some small fish. It made for a good pictures so I couldn't resist.

Spotted moray

 I barely noticed these lobster barely sticking out from under a shelf of old reef. It was tempting to grab one for my own lunch.

Spiny lobster

 I saw this gorgeous fish that I didn't recognize. Turns out it is a juvenile french angelfish. They start to swim in odd ways when they are trying to get away from you. This one turned itself horizontally. Maybe this scares away predators somehow?

 Anemones are pretty common on the chunks of reef here and there were multiple species around. This one I found particularly beautiful. There are tangs and a blue headed wrasse in the background.

 This small fish actually followed me back to shore for some reason that still baffles me.

 Another juvenile french angelfish.

Juvenile french angelfish

 OOoops I scared him... but it made him even cuter to take pictures of.

Puffer fish starting to puff up.

 There were a lot of urchins in the sea grass and they attached the grass, bits of shell and other things to themselves. I even saw an urchin wearing a dead urchin shell.

 Another small ray that is the same species as the large one seen before.

 

Sadly this is my last day in Jamaica but I do plan to return to find the Jamaican owl and many other species that I did not see on this trip as well as to visit the many friends I made. I also an very interested in seeing more of the country since most of my trip was spent very close to Negril. The luminescent bay is one place where I am very interested in seeing next time I go. It is famous for bioluminescent zooplankton that glow when you swim.


My advice for anyone visiting Jamaica:
1) Try authentic local food or do one better get them to teach you how to cook it like I did!
2) Rent a car or motorcycle and see the countryside. If you do this. Honking is a very common way of saying I'm here when backing up, taking tight turns, passing etc.  Also cop cars are not always well marked but they will usually be standing outside of their cars in uniform. 
3) Relax and watch the wildlife
4) Do day trips out of wherever you're staying (I didn't do this as often as I would have liked)
5) If you're a girl and not comfortable with foreign strangers talking to you... travel with a guy.
6) Jamaican hospitality is amazing if you can get them to stop treating you like a tourist and treat you as a friend.