We climbed ashore at Lagoon Snake Caye, one of several Snake Cayes in Belize's Port of Honduras Marine Reserve. Named for its landlocked freshwater lagoon, Lagoon Snake Caye is one of the slim 10 percent of islands in the Port of Honduras Marine Reserve which boasts dry land. The vast majority are home to mangroves alone.
Lagoon Snake Caye, however, includes a fine stretch of white coral beach, an ideal place to picnic after a Caribbean snorkel.
A hundred yards offshore, a tiny fingernail of sand formed another island, marked by a spindly tree. Its branches were covered with frigatebirds: monogamous seabirds most famous for their plundering of other birds' fish. A number of pelicans sat on the island's sands.
Of course I waded out there -- and of course, most of the birds took wing. I did get the chance to enter a staring contest with a bold pair of frigatebirds.
