Long Lived Birds

Here is an interesting story about the world's oldest Flamingo.

Speaking of birds with long lives, this past Saturday was the annual Lora (parrot) count here on Bonaire. The Boanire Insider reports they saw about the same number of birds as last year.

I saw some parrot counting teams coming back to the Washington Park entrance as I was riding in at the start of my weekly bike ride.  I was envious of them being in the park before dawn 'cause last Saturday had super clear skies.  I was outside around 05:45 and saw Vega in the north, brillilant Venus in the East, the whole of Scorpius in the SE, and Alpha and Beta Centaurus blazing the path to the Southern Cross in the South.  The view was truly awesome and memorable.  (by the way, you can pretty easily spot Mercury in the West a little after sunset these days)

I took loads of pictures in the park during my morning bike ride, and then drove out to Washikimba in the late afternoon to take some more.  They might make it to the blog some day....  the afternoon shots aren't even off of my camera memory cards yet.  Maybe we need some more rainy weather to keep me indoors working on photos.  What happens all to often, is that after sitting in front of a computer all day at work, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a monitor at home.  Been reading the "new" Nero Wolfe books by Robert Goldsborough, this week.

I know...  I should be able to process a bunch of photos during the Super Bowl this Sunday, in between watching the new commercials.  heh-heh  I already saw a really cute new Puppy/Clydesdale one online.

TWR MKs Visit Bonaire

Some former TWR Bonaire Missionary Kids stopped by the office the other week, and got a chance to meet Lauren Libby, the President of TWR.

From left to right, we see Lauren Libby, Pam (Hogan) Daniels, John McDonald, and Doug Daniels.  Pam and Doug were here on a cruise ship, while John is here on an extended scuba diving vacation.

TWR VIPs Visit Bonaire

We recently had some distinguished visitors here at TWR Bonaire.  The president of TWR International, Lauren Libby, and the TWR director for the Americas region, Tim Klingbeil, were here from the North American office.  They were joined by the Eps and the Rempels, from our TWR partner organization in Brazil.  Klaus Rempel also serves on the TWR international board of directors.
Here we see Bonaire station director, Joe Barker, explaining the automation room to the Eps (foreground) and the Rempels (background.)


In this shot, Bonaire missionary, Dave Pedersen (on the left) talks with the Rempels, while in the background, Sandra Swanson and Laura Neal share a light moment with Tim Klingbeil.










I've made a zillion versions of this picture, trying to balance the sun and the people.  But different monitors will probably display it differently anyway.  This sunset was pretty dramatic and there was almost a green flash.  heh-heh

New TWR Sign at TX Site

One of the things the student group from Waynesburg did the week they were here was to paint the new TWR logo on the entrance to the transmitter site.  I like it a lot, and I think it will be a popular photo-op spot for visitors to TWR.

More cruise ships

There were two ships in port at least three days last week.  Here is a shot on Friday from Te Amo beach.

My latest thing is looking for images that can survive being printed big.  I think this one has potential.

Cruise Ship Season

There were two cruise ships in port yesterday, and two more today.  Here is the view today, from near the end of the airport runway (south end of donkey beach.)

Waynesburg University Returns

A group of student volunteers from the communications department at Waynesburg University were just here on Bonaire for a week, for the second year in a row.  They enthusiastically assisted us with a whole bunch of projects in and around TWR.  Some activities were related to their studies, while others, like cleaning and painting, just provided help where we needed it most.


They took a bunch of creative group photos at picturesque sites all around the island.  Here is a shot of
 the group at the TWR offices.

They also shot a nice group portrait of our TWR staff.

Family Fun

Our son, Richard, and our daughter in law, Nancy, visited us a week ago.  We had a great time hanging out with them, as well as touring the island.

While at Sorobon, we saw an octopus in shallow water by the fishing boat dock.
















We also did some astronomy, snorkeling, "saté ku batata" eating, and took the surprisingly bumpy road out to Cai.  It was really pleasant out at Cai, compared to the summertime, when the heat can be oppressive.

 

Video Visit

Tyler Gates was here on Bonaire last week for a week of filming.  Although based at the TWR office in Cary, NC, Tyler is shooting video footage for TWR all over the world.  More importantly, he brought us two boxes of Candy Cane Joe Joes.  :)

Here we see Tyler in action, interviewing TWR Bonaire Director, Joe Barker.

Wild Weather

The weather here on Bonaire was pretty crazy last week.  Not cold and crazy, like N. America, but wet and crazy.  Our friend, Donna, measured three inches of rain last Thursday.  The rain wasn't steady but came in cloud bursts as various fronts came through.

The winds gusted very strongly during the rain squalls, even for Bonaire.  Donna's Flamingo sculpture blew over, and this giant sign, which has been there for ever at Den Laman, blew over too.