DAY 8
SATURDAY
A
We drove a little farther, and as dawn was breaking pulled off at a spot to play recordings of Lesser Ground-Cuckoo and Lesser Roadrunner. We struck out on both, so headed back to the La Cumbre road.
There were a surprising number of hikers walking the hill, and the parking lot was full. We drove up the road, and about halfway Chris heard Orange-fronted Parakeets. We stopped and watched them for a short while, including scope views.
We then drove to the top and
parked. Several walked to the edge to
enjoy the scenery, and someone (I don’t remember who) spotted a Lesser
Roadrunner sunbathing on a rock, trying to shake off his nighttime torpor. He sat on the rock for quite some time,
allowing us to both view and photograph him.
Looking back at prior trips to
At the same time the
roadrunner was spotted, Brad saw Black-chested Sparrows in the same area. After we enjoyed the roadrunner, the guides
played tapes for the sparrows, and they came in for a bit. I was able to photograph and record the
sparrows, and also took some poor shots of White-throated Magpie-Jays.
We then walked around a bit, playing tapes of Rufous-naped Wren, and were able to find them in the same area that Bill had found them on Tuesday.
We walked down the La Cumbre road
for a ways, birding as we went along. We
saw a good group of birds including Varied Bunting, Squirrel Cuckoo, and
Black-headed Vireo, but nothing new. We
were trying for Colima Pygmy-Owl, but were unsuccessful until we reached the
switchback. There, we heard an owl
respond. We worked down the road a
little until the owl came in for great looks.
The owl was silent once it flew in, but seemed happy to sit and watch 
us, apparently wondering
what all the commotion was about.
Several of us hiked back with the guides to the top to pick up the vehicles. We then stopped at the switchback for a restroom break and something to drink. While using the restroom, I saw Orange-breasted Bunting again. As we were birding warm spots all day, I had worn shorts. When using the restroom, I walked through a bit of weeds, and paid a steep price as chiggers took advantage of my bare legs.
We departed back to the
hotel, where we loaded all our gear. On
Thursday, I had purchased a fascinating pen for my wife Shelly that
demonstrated the talent of local artisans and their appreciation for the
surrealism of life. I’m not sure why,
but some in the group felt that this might be less than sufficient to declare my
undying love. So while waiting to depart
for Barra de Navidad and the Hotel Cabo Blanco, I dashed to the curio shop next
door and bought a t-shirt as well.
We drove from the hotel
directly to the restaurant on the beach in north Manzanilla, where we had lunch
on day three. I tried the Red Snapper al
mojo de ajo this time, and it was good.
(Although it still takes some getting used to eating a fish with the head
and tail intact.) It took some time for
all to be served, but eventually we headed back to Barra.
Bill was staying an extra day and
wanted to rent a vehicle. 
The van went on to Barra,
and we in the Suburban drove to the airport.
While others rented the car and confirmed Terry’s flight, Bob, Kit, and
I dropped off at the airport road to bird.
We saw several good birds, including Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Limpkin,
and Snail Kite. All in all it was rather
dead though, being the middle of the afternoon.
We drove from the airport and met
up with the others at the Cabo Blanco in Barra at ~4:30 pm. There was a fishing tournament hosted by our 
hotel, with the grand
finale dinner and dance that night. So
after we settled in, we went back to the Mar y Tierra where we had eaten lunch
on Monday. After another great meal with
the waves crashing in the background, we headed back to the hotel. Buzzy, Jim, Dan, Brad, and I walked back, detouring
through town to where the road ended across from the island on our way.
Chris had arranged our rooms to be at the end of the hotel, away from the fiesta, and the air conditioner in our room was loud, so I was able to get a good night’s sleep.