GALAVANT MAGAZINE Issue 1: May/June 2014 | Page 49

Photographer-Shelly-Ann Inniss JEWELS IN THE AIR Over four hundred and twenty species of birds have been documented in Trinidad and Tobago but there is one bird in particular that is synonymous with Trinidad. In this twin island, it has an insignia on the Coat of Arms and currency. National awards are named after it and it is also a symbol found on Trinidad and Tobogo’s local airline. With gorgeous metallic, iridescent bodies, hummingbirds are considered living prismatic gems in Trinidad and Tobago. Seventeen different species are in Trinidad. No wonder this place is considered the land of the hummingbird. This special and magical bird caught our interest and led us on a misguided drive through the Maracas Valley. With some Uturns, circling and backtracking, we eventually arrived at Yerette: Home of the Hummingbird. Photographer- Maria Pantin Surely we were in the wrong place we thought, as we ascended the incline and came upon a driveway leading to an ordinary looking house. We saw Theo standing at the top of the driveway in anticipation of our arrival so we were in the