Georgetown

Georgetown, Guyana is a bustling metropolis, and our hotel sits at a busy intersection along one of the main roads through town. All day -- and much of the night -- the traffic hurtles past, a constant stream of taxis, minibuses and the occasional horse-drawn cart. And yet, despite all the hustle and commotion, a host of birds uses the shallow channelized river that runs between the lanes of the highway, and the narrow strips of grass that edge the road. There are two baby Striated Herons, their plumage still studded with wispy down feathers, huddled on a branch right across from my balcony. At least four Snail Kites are visiting the canal, flying off with snails clutched in their sharp beaks, then returning for another mouthful. Pairs of Orange-winged Parrots are shrieking overhead, and nearly every television antenna sports a Great Kiskadee or two. We've counted 20 species from the hotel; we daren't venture further under orders from our local guide.

Looking east along Croal Street. There are no buildings higher than ten stories here because of a thick clay layer that makes it difficult to drive footings deep enough to support anything taller.

A young Snail Kite waits its turn at the canal.

This Gray-lined Hawk was hunting in the backyards across the street.