I'm not a birder, but I love watching birds, especially in their native habitat. Outside of Copan, Honduras, a five-hour bus ride from Guatemala City just over the Honduran border, lies Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve.
The facility is home to native Honduran macaws, breeds from South America like the blue and gold, and green wing macaws, a variety of parrots plus several species of the colorful toucan.
Many of these birds were former pets and donated to the park. Others were rescued from the wild where they are killed by disgruntled farmers for eating their crops. Many Wagner, a North American and conservationist, began the project in the 1980s.
No matter where the birds came from the park is a humbling experience. Trails weave through a tropical landscape of old growth forest with lush local flora and fauna.
The area is actually a canyon formed by Sesesmil Creek that provides water to the town. A thousand years or more ago, the Mayan lived here.
Their culture revered the macaw and when you visit nearby Copan Archaeological Ruins, you can see their image sculpted into ancient rocks.
Today most of the birds are kept in large eco-friendly aviaries where the birds can fly freely and climb branches. The first aviary I encountered had 10 or more scarlet macaws, the national bird of Honduras. It was exhilarating to be so close to these colorful, magnificent creatures.
But they were only an appetizer in my bird feast. Passing by other species, like the green wing and blue macaws native to South America, plus local birds of prey such as hawks and owls. I encountered the main course, an open area where dozens of macaws, parrots and toucans perched for tourists' delight.
In my dreams I always hoped to see a toucan in the wild. And there it was, not one but two colorful, large beaked toucans. My dream come true, up close and personal with a wild toucan.
All of the birds in this observation area are friendly. The macaws perch on visitors' arms with the assistance of a handler. The other parrots fluffed and preened, squawked and whistled. It took me a while to discover a small green guy who had perfected a wolf whistle. The sneaky little critter would only do it when my back was turned.
You talk about a photographer and bird lover's dream this was it. I snapped away grateful that my camera was a digital and not film.
Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve is a labor of love.
To help preserve these magnificent birds is truly a gift to the next generation, not to mention mine.
To lean more about Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve visit their Web site at: www.macawmountain.com/
By GLORIA J. MASCHMEYER
Daily News correspondent