Los Haitises National Park is located in the Dominican Republic near the town of Samana. It is made up of a large group of small limestone islands or keys. Since limestone is a porous rock, trees and other vegetation grows on top the islands. Being surrounded by water they provide the perfect habitat for many seabirds to nest. We were able to see hundreds of Magnificent Frigatebirds, Brown Boobies and Brown Pelicans. (click on the pictures for a larger view)
Bird Island
Magnificent Frigatebirds
One of the many islands of Los Haitises
This island is called Jaws Island by the locals.
Small fish and shrimp are plentiful in these waters, so the parent birds are constantly flying out to gather food for the young birds and returning to feed them. The sky is full of birds.
The pelicans chose this particular island as a training ground for the juvenile pelicans to learn to fish.
Several of the islands have caves that were used by the Taino indians in the early 1200-1400's for shelter and for ceremonial grounds. They painted pictographs on the walls that depicted the common birds and animals of the area.
Pictographs were painted using the local mangrove roots for color.
