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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hamhed" data-source="post: 3582190" data-attributes="member: 70825">12-18   Having had our best luck with the birds at Maricao, we left our inner city stay well before dawn, passing through Sabana Grande by the glow of the streetlights and were watching a perched Green Mango a few minutes after 7.  We explored both trails at KM 16.8 for the entire morning, with some good birding once again.  Several Elfin-woods Warblers seen (one in the same tree near the gate!), Todies, Tanagers, Spindalis, Vireos and a single Lizard-Cuckoo.  Alerted by strong “chek” sounds, we found our first Puerto Rican Oriole. A pair of Todies were clearly visible without binoculars but, again, neither of us were able to capture them well with camera. On the way down we stopped at a venue we had noticed before: Companiado de National Park. There is an office (closed this day) and what appear to be several rental cabins. Several families were in the process of packing up or preparing to do so . The cabins appear to be well equipped with cook stoves and beds. We were able to walk briefly on a short  path but did not explore due to limited time. The lack of bird life did not make us want to stay, although with some natural areas there appears to be potential. It was also unclear if this is a private park or open to all. Much of the remainder of the day was an east bound drive across the island, with our destination another Airbnb near Fajardo. After the town of Salinas, we chose to take the inland road with the idea that the coastal road might be a good bit slower.  It was, however, Sunday afternoon, meaning anyone from San Juan visiting the south coast for the weekend would also be using this route to return north.  Traffic was especially heavy until we passed through Caguas.  Lesson learned - next time we are in Puerto Rico on a Sunday afternoon heading east, we should follow the coastal road.  Though it occurred to us to stop, we considered the drive thus far and time of day and did not make the side trip for a chance at Plain Pigeon.More conveniently located for our travels was Humacao Reserve.  Not knowing if we would be able to return to this area, we made the side trip only to find that we arrived just an hour before they closed at 4 pm.  Still, we spent what time we could on the quiet Palmas trail beside a small lake, startling a Quail-Dove that flew off trail, cooing a bit while we walked past.  Our chosen location in Las Croabas, northeast of Fajardo, the Las Vistas Cafe, was primarily for its convenience to the ferry dock for our planned trip to Culebra.   We checked in with Gladys, our Airbnb host, before making a “dry run” to the ferry terminal and stopping for a meal of Puerto Rican mofongo, a plantain and garlic dish.  We slept soundly in a quiet, comfortable room for the first time this trip.</blockquote>

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