April 2020 - Susana Field

April Nature Sightings: Nica Nugget #87

April 30th, 2020susanafield0 Comments

In the mornings a pair of Turquoise-browed Motmots has been nearing our porch. Likewise, we’ve been seeing them regularly during our evening stroll up the shallow canyon by our house. Locally common, they are much easier to spot now, at the tail end of dry season, than they will be after the rains start up soon and the barren landscape explodes into jungle. Squirrel Cuckoos have also been coming around. As well as Streak-backed Orioles. The resident howler monkeys are also much easier to spot now while the trees are barren and so many flowers and berries are luring them …

April Heat: Nica Nugget #86

April 13th, 2020susanafield0 Comments

This morning at 6:30 when I stepped outside I was hit in the face with the heat. It was a full body slam actually, an enveloping. It’s April, the hottest month of the year here. I sit in my rocking chair and my forehead glistens with sweat like a water glass covered in condensation. The cooling winds of January and February are gone. And the rain clouds of May through November just start to build, practicing for their awaited arrival. We clean our gutter of leaves and dust. We paint over the rust on our roof. We install a better …

Holy Week During Covid-19: Nica Nugget #85

April 11th, 2020susanafield0 Comments

This morning at 9 am, the day before Easter. This morning normally on the day before Easter, the beach would be packed, shoulder to shoulder. Or so I’ve been told, because despite living here for four years this is our first Holy Week here. But this morning at 9 am, when John and I and the dogs walked the length of the beach like we do most mornings, we found it empty. Except for the groups of lifeguards, who are just here for this week, with no one to save. And the beach toy vendors, who are here most Nicaraguan …