The Priolo of the Azores

An Azores Bullfinch. Known as the Priolo in Portuguese

For me, Christmas came early this year and I didn't realize it at the time...really not until just now.

I took these pics back on October 21st of this year while I was alone in the highland Laurel forest of Sao Miguel Island in the Azores. Christmas Day for me yesterday, was a focus on editing these shots and several others.

The bird is called the Priolo. That's Portuguese for Azores Bullfinch. Priolos are very rare, an endangered species due solely to human destruction, and can only be found in a specific environment on the eastern side of Sao Miguel Island.

I was in the Azores for six weeks. Traveled to four of the nine islands of the archipelago. I learned about the Priolo from a local the first week I was on Sao Miguel. Being somewhat of a bird nerd, I tried and failed multiple times to find one.

Finally, on the second to the last day of the six weeks there and back on Sao Miguel after traveling to the other islands, I decided to go on a mission to find a Priolo.

It was raining. I didn't care. With rain gear on, I hiked silently alone for three hours in the forest.

Another local who specializes in the lands of the Priolo taught me the sound they make. So, I gave it a shot while on the hike.

Sitting quietly for about thirty minutes other than calling out to them, this one landed on a branch and hung out.

This was a gift. At least, that's the way I see it.

Merry Christmas, human. Take your photographs while I sit and rest. And do me a favor, keep trying to do what you can to create more habitat for us. Maybe give back some of what you took from us. We like it here and will thrive if you do.

Sure, the Priolo didn't actually speak those words above to me in human language, but like the thoughts I sense from Lucky, these are the thoughts I sense from the Priolo today as I look at the photographs I took. It's just me being me.

Towards the end of our time together, the Priolo yawned as if bored with my presence then flew away. Or maybe he had a point to make. Regardless, that was one of the best moments of my life.

I receive this gift from a highly emotionally intelligent being.

And yeah, lol...I have a "thing" with birds.

This Priolo is not yelling at me. He or she is yawning perhaps because of me? lol