These "globs" hanging from the trees in Tonga are called "flying foxes" by the locals. They are actually fruit bats - the only native mammal in the islands. Some of the islanders eat the bats, so you don't see many of them. However, in Suva, Fiji where we saw lots of the bats I think the people don't eat them! I've got more shots of these fruit bats on my Tonga page.

Here's another mundane shot, but again I thought he looked neat in his red boots! He comes from New Zealand as does the cormorant on the right.

OK, just one more "common" creature (left).

A red tailed hawk from central California.

Here's a little So. Cal. chickie! (right)

AND, another "local" from So Cal.

The guy on the right looks a lot like a purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio). However, he doesn't look too purple does he?

I was pretty happy to see this guy (left). He was perched next to a beautiful arch next to the ocean on Savai'i, Samoa. He's a flatbilled kingfisher (Halcyon recurvirostris) seen only in the western islands of Samoa.

Not knowing too much about birds I'd say these two (right and left) are related, perhaps male and female or juvenile and adult. In any case, the red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)was quite a sight in many areas of Samoa.

I was happy to get this shot of a native land bird called a lupe. (right) He's a Pacific pigeon (Ducula pacifica microcera). We saw him in Vava'u inland around the plantations.

When we're out in the ocean  (left) this is about as close as we get to most birds. These stormy petrels were seen sailing between islands in Tonga. Probably not earth shaking, but I think their form and movement are captivating.

When we're at anchor we often see these white birds flying in and out among the trees (right) as well as over the lagoon looking for dinner. They could be white tropic birds.

This guy flew in for a landing along the shore of the lagoon in Tonga (left). I don't know his name, but I enjoyed watching him strut around.

After hanging out in the swamps for a while Scott and I found and got a shot of this famous New Zealand bird - a pukako.

OK, so I got a little carried away with this guy! Hope you like him!

I have a lot of rather neat bird pictures on the Suwarrow, Cook Island Page.