Charlie Doggett

March 3, 2017

An African Bird in My CR Neighborhood?

Well, the web says that though native to sub-Saharan Africa, they have been introduced around the world, including the Americas. Quick cell phone photo:

Helmeted Guineafowl
Just one block out of the Roca Verde Gate, Atenas, Costa Rica

Helmeted Guineafowl
Zooming in for a closer look
Atenas, Costa Rica

These don’t have much of a “helmet,” but they are possibly juveniles and I am certain they are the same bird I saw wild in The Gambia, West Africa. Here they were near a stream, but actually in the ditch of a residential street.

For more information, see Helmeted Guineafowl, Wikipedia

Should I add them to my Birds photo gallery? I’m debating. They may be an invasive species?

March 2, 2017

Christmas in March?

On one of my two walks to town today, I snapped these with my phone.
You do know that the red of Poinsettias is actually leaves & not flowers?

Yes. Poinsettias grow in yards here and in different months.
I’ve seen them in February & March now.

See my Photo Gallery called Flora & Forests

March 1, 2017

Another Little Book on Birding Lodges

The third in my series of 7×7 books on “The Birding Lodges of Costa Rica.” See all my books at my Blurb.com bookstore: http://www.blurb.com/user/store/cdoggett and my one big book of birds is available on Amazon.com.

San Gerado de Dota Birds

By Charlie Doggett

February 28, 2017

Nesting on a Palm Frond

Nesting Inca Dove
On palm frond of small palm in my yard, Atenas, Costa Rica

Honestly I don’t see how it can last very long with all the heavy winds we have been having, but birds can be tenacious! We will see. I have much more stable trees you could have used!

February 25, 2017

3 Great Birding Trips Planned + Little Theater

I continue to love my garden!

No new birds or other nature photos to share in last couple of days, just slowing down and relaxing a little since I was getting low on energy and not feeling my best. But tomorrow I go with a group of expats to San Jose for the Little Theater again for a play titled “Little Wars” by Steven Carl McCasland, that takes place in 1940 based on a real dinner party with 6 well-know women at the time: Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker, Gertrude Stein, Agatha Christie, Alice B. Toklas, and Muriel Gardiner. (I get to see what women talk about when they have too much to drink!) Then we go out to eat at a nice restaurant.

I’ve also been busy planning future birding trips:

In March: Rio Celeste Waterfall & Cañon Negro on Rio Frio, staying at Celeste Mountain Lodge. where there are many birding trails on their property (4 nights). Getting there and back on public bus.

In May: Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park. Staying at the Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge (5 nights). Getting there and back on small public plane.

In July: A return visit to a pure birding lodge, Rancho Naturalista near Turrialba, Costa Rica, in the shadow of the active Turrialba Volcano (4 nights). Getting there and back on public bus.

When you live in Costa Rica,

EVERY DAY’S A HOLIDAY!

EVERY WEEK’S A VACATION!

And Retirement is called “la jubilación”

PURA VIDA!

🙂

February 22, 2017

Amazing Mother-in-laws!

Flowering “Mother-in-law Tongue” plant
In my neighbor’s yard
Atenas, Costa Rica

My plant like this is in a pot in my bathroom, so I guess it is not as likely to bloom as these that are outside getting sunshine and rain. Interesting! My first time to ever see this plant bloom. I did not know that they had flowers!

See also my photo gallery called Flora & Forests.

And enjoy this very brief National Geographic Video on the greenest & happiest country in the world: https://www.facebook.com/natgeotvUS/videos/10154745276431005/

The Greenest & Happiest Country!

The Greenest and Happiest Country in the World

This is the greenest/happiest country in the world, according to the Happy Planet Index, which measures the happiness and longevity of a population and divides it by their ecological footprint.

If all countries followed the Costa Rica example, it would be a wonderful world! Go for it!

But first the States have to “Dump Trump!”

February 21, 2017

Lineated Woodpecker

Lineated Woodpecker
In my garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica
I was thrilled that he was just 2 meters off my deck!
AND in the open! (for less than a minute!)
I have several shots of this species, but this is best!
One at Rancho Naturalista was previous best.
And I had a Fair Shot in Panama

Lineated Woodpecker
In tree in my garden, Atenas, Costa Rica
This “Peek-a-boo” sighting behind leaves is often all I get.
Still makes me happy!

See my photo gallery of Birds photos made since I moved to Costa Rica. This gallery shows you my number one motivation for moving to and retiring in Costa Rica. I love the birds here!

February 20, 2017August 21, 2018

More of San Jose: Public Art

Well, the capital city was interesting even with seeing on a small portion, but that is all the photos for now and I’m ready to get back to nature, enough of this city stuff! And I’ve got a good photo to share tomorrow, shot right here in my own garden, by best shot yet of one particular species. See ya’ tomorrow!

See also my Photo Gallery on San Jose