So I recently returned from a 5 day Caribbean cruise (it’s okay, you can totally be jealous), and while visiting the beach, shopping, and my friend’s wedding were all at the top of my to-do list, so was scouting out some local wildlife.
Out first stop was Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where unfortunately, I didn’t get too much time to explore the island due to the wedding. But I was in Jamiaca and not at work, so I didn’t mind a whole lot. 
Anyway, my friend got married at Shaw Park Gardens, where I saw many examples of the national bird, the Doctor Bird, and a large group of birds of prey. The birds of prey were a little bit too far away to see, but let’s just say that there were lots of them having a party somewhere near the shore. I think it actually might have been this familiar face.
Doctor Bird (Trochilus polytmus)
I did however, catch some pretty awesome glimpses of the doctor bird. I even yelled out like a kid on Christmas. My wedding-guest mates thought I was a little off; apparently I was supposed to be watching the bride and groom drink champagne, not the local fauna. This species of hummingbird is endemic to Jamaica (which means that’s the ONLY place it’s found), and with it’s amazing colors and unique tail, it is truly a beautiful animal. And before you even ask, no I didn’t get any good pictures. In typical hummingbird fashion, they moved too darn fast to get a good shot. The picture above is from my friend Wikipedia.
Shaw Park Gardens, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Another animal I was hoping against hope to see was the Jamaican Boa (epicrates subflavus). Yes, I wanted to see a snake! I am the Education Adviser for the Snake TAG through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the TAG chair that I work with is the PMP coordinator for the Jamaican Boa. Did I just completely confuse you? Basically, a PMP is a population management plan that facilities have to breed endangered or threatened animals. The Jamaican Boa is indeed just that, threatened. However, I was told by a local that I wouldn’t see any Jamaican Boas, because for one, they are low in numbers, and two, they live in the Blue Mountains area, which was not terribly close to where I was. So although I was bummed out mon, I did learn that if you enjoy coffee…the Jamaican Blue Mountains are famous for it.
So, feeling content that I saw at least a small representation of the beauty of Jamaica, it was back on the boat and on to Grand Cayman, where I…
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Beautiful pictures. I am going so I will have to vist the Shaw Park Gardens. Thanks for the heads up!