an afternoon at the beach, near Telchac Puerto, Yucatan

We had the opportunity to spend a lovely afternoon with friends at their beachhouse near Telchac Puerto.

Friends, food, sun, surf, conversation, wine, and a sweet pooch -   OUF,  what more could you ask for.

It was a truly really lovely afternoon!

Well, we also got to watch a couple young fishermen pull out their net that had been in the water the whole day.  The very net where we had also watched a pelican feeding for much of the afternoon.  So unfortunately the catch these two hauled in was either partially eaten or too small for them to even bother with.

hermit crab garnered a bit of attention

Parque Arqueoecologico Xoclan

There are so many parks and green spaces here in Merida.   And so many of them are well used and well maintained.


As a part of our monthly Bird (Yucatan Bird Club) outing we recently visited a 'new' park for me - Parque Arqueoecologico Xoclan.  This is one of those used, but not maintained parks.   


It covers a huge expanse of acerage, And has groomed walkways in place. What this park needs is a thorough cleanup, lighting, and police patrol for a while to establish its safety and for the population to feel comfortable and start using it.   You can see the size on Google Maps here


We went to Parque Arqueoecologico Xoclan on Sunday, 17 June.  I think our group was small because it was Fathers Day.  There were seven of us.


This park was created over a site where materials for construction were once mined.  This has created a very interesting landscape.  There are even some unimproved Mayan ruins on this site.  There is some water on the excavated side of the park which has created some interesting diversity if flora.  Campo or Selva plants on one side of the walkway and riparian zone on the other.


Our birding was actually pretty good, in spite of the heavy humid slightly overcast weather. We even found a kiskadee nest high up in a tree; none of us had ever seen one before.  We also saw a few ground squirrels, a rare sighting inside the city.
you might be able to see some of the facebook fotos here


We identified about 25 species, I'll have to wait for Cherie to type up the list as she was keeping the notes.  Many of the birders this morning have very fine cameras, and I've seen some of the photos posted on facebook already.
Unfortunately my little Panasonic point n shoot couldn't rise to the task.

How the morning began, from my backyard.

it's an odd eerie landscape.

The Polo Affair by Sean Hennessey

Sean Hennessey has led an interesting life.  He has done many things in his less than 50 years and I am sure he will do many more.

One of the things he has done recently is to write a book - The Polo Affair - I recently purchased, and read an electronic version of his book. I enjoyed it very much.

For me it was an easy read, the language flowed and was neither to high above nor to far below my level.  I found the character development to be interesting and with enough depth to render them interesting, believable, and in most cases likable;  I wanted to know more about them.  I also found myself interested in and learning a bit about Polo.

I'm not going to say too much more about the book, you need to get it and read it for yourself.   And don't be too surprised when you start hearing about a movie!



Not too long ago Sean hosted a Book Signing, and Reading at his Irish Pub, Hennessey's.  I was not able to make it to that event.  So a few days later, when I saw him at the Pub I asked him to sign my iPad cover, since that is where my copy of his book lives.

He graciously complied!

The Polo Affair - facebook page

The Polo Affair - web page

Buy the Kindle edition of The Polo Affair

Hennessey's Irish Pub