One of the highlights of any birding trip to Belize is the morning boat tour of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. This inland lagoon offers habitat to an amazing array of wetland birds and raptors, like the Black-collared Hawk and Snail Kite. This three-hour trip gives us up-close views of charismatic species like the Northern Jacana, Bare-throated Tiger-heron, and maybe a Sungrebe. While there's never a guarantee, we will try to find the Jabiru (pictured here - the largest stork in the western hemisphere) and the beautiful Agami Heron. The afternoon will allow time for personal photography exploration of the roads and trails near the lodge.

We start the day by birding the nearby pine savanna habitat that offers good chances at Yucatan Jay (pictured here), Yucatan Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, and Grace's Warbler. We will then pack up for our trip to Lamanai, which includes a 20+ mile boat ride down the New River and gives a shot at seeing numerous kingfishers, hawks, and wading birds. After checking in at Lamanai Outpost Lodge, we'll visit the nearby village of Spanish Church for more bird photography with Eduardo Ruano, one of the top photographers in Belize! Check out his photos here.

Lamanai Outpost Lodge is located within a short walk or boat ride of the Lamanai Archaeological Site, one of the most spectacular of the Mayan sites in Belize. We'll spend the morning touring the site and searching for Howler Monkeys (pictured here) and birds likes toucans, motmots, and woodcreepers. After another delicious meal at Lamanai, we will take some time for R&R before heading out into nearby farmland for photo opps of Wood Storks, kites, and one of my favorites, the Fork-tailed Flycatcher. After dinner we will do Spotlight Safari by boat in the lagoon. A day you'll never forget! 

Early morning plans: a birding tour of the savannah habitat in search of Aplomado Falcons, Yellow-headed Parrots, and Black-throated Bobwhite. After a late breakfast at Lamanai, we'll pack up and head by van through farm country to our next stop, La Milpa Ecolodge. La Milpa is home to numerous hummingbirds, Royal Flycatchers, and the endangered Ocellated Turkey. Great photo opportunities abound on the grounds, at the feeders (see the Green Honeycreeper above), and on the nearby trails. 

La Milpa is a remote Mayan archaeological site that is largely undisturbed and subject to ongoing research. We will have a guided tour of the site, learning about the history of the area as we photograph warblers, woodcreepers, and more. Hang out by the pond in hopes of seeing the American Pygmy Kingfisher and wait for the Great Curassow to wander the grounds in the evening. Because this ecolodge is located in the Rio Bravo Reserve, the bird possibilities are almost endless! 

Guide and photographer extraordinaire Isaias Morataya will meet us this morning for a little more birding around La MIlpa before driving us through the Rio Bravo Preserve towards Black Rock Lodge. Have your cameras at the ready, because Isaias has the "eye of the tiger" and will surely point out some awesome birds and other wildlife as we drive through one of the more remote parts of Belize. This is a section of Belize that I have never visited but am so excited for this opportunity! We will eventually drive through the town of San Ignacio and make our way to Black Rock Lodge, our amazing accommodations for the last two nights of the trip.

Today is a day of relaxation and birding as we enjoy the grounds of Black Rock Lodge. Birding guide Isaias Morataya (check out his photos) will offer several bird walks for us throughout the day on this remote property. We should be able to find honeycreepers, aracaris, hawk-eagles (see the Ornate Hawk-Eagle nest above), and other tropical birds. Nestled in a river valley between spectacular cliffs, Black Rock offers a variety of habitats and good raptor viewing, even from the dining area. Enjoy a freshwater pool, hike the trails, or get a massage during your free time. The best of Belize! 

Time to pack for home! After another amazing Belizean breakfast, we will load up the van for the 2+ hour drive to the airport. Schedule your flight home for early to mid-afternoon. On your way home, you'll likely be thinking... "how soon can I come back?!?"