Green Thorntail Hummingbird Female (pretty sure) My garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Great Crested Flycatcher (most likely?) My garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
And my online photo gallery for more BIRDS
Green Thorntail Hummingbird Female (pretty sure) My garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Great Crested Flycatcher (most likely?) My garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
And my online photo gallery for more BIRDS
The Maraca or Shampoo Ginger plant has multiplied and grown very tall with several blooms. |
Heliconia Across from the door I added a row of 20 of the small Heliconias with little bright red & orange flowers that will bloom constantly year-around when they mature. They help the “tropical look.” |
One of the little Helconia up close, like adding little jewels to my garden! |
I’m always trying to improve my garden and during the rainy season is the time for new plants as the rain helps them to take root and thrive. Life in the tropics just keeps getting better! 🙂
Masked Tityra My Home Garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Masked Tityra My Home Garden, Roca Verde, Atenas, Costa Rica |
Maybe he is wearing a mask early for Halloween. No? This is the first I’ve seen in my garden, but I did see one at the Rio Chirripó Retreat near Chirripó National Park.
And my BIRDS PHOTO GALLERY include many more!
Our public water comes from the same source as Grecia’s over a mountain or two from Atenas. It is pumped through large water mains (big pipes) through the mountains, over rivers and deep canyons to Atenas. Sometimes the water main breaks or something stops the flow. This time, for more than week now they have supposedly been trying to fix a broken pipe that goes over a canyon on a little bridge that was broken when a huge tree fell during a thunder storm. It has become a real problem for some homes and businesses that must have water – well – all must have! And most are asking “Why is it taking so long?” One article said they are waiting on parts to arrive from overseas.
Even in developing countries we depend on water! And the water truck is like a pied piper with a crowd constantly with it. It is beginning to remind me of Africa around here! We were regularly without water in The Gambia and I always kept large bottles of water “just in case.” You adapt! 🙂
Well, if you are a Trump supporter, I hope you find another country to move to! I will not personally welcome you to Costa Rica!
My Costa Rica Photo Gallery: Charlie Doggett’s COSTA RICA
Cecropia or Guarumo Tree Kekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica I have a tree like this in my yard. Toucans like these trees! 🙂 |
Except for securing Abel Busamanti as a birding guide in Manzanillo, I had no other pre-plans though expecting to visit the Ara Project featured yesterday. Well, on the north side of Puerto Viejo which is just 20 km or so north of Manzanillo is the Cahuita National Park that I kind of expected to visit (but never made it). I didn’t want to risk one of the guides lined up at the park entrance, so with my Kindle (no laptop) I googled and found a guide service in Puerto Viejo called TERRAVENTURAS which I called and said I was interested in a birding guide for the park or other better area near there. (There are a lot of companies like them here! Many are geared more to white water rafting and zip-lining!f Adventures for the young!)
She told me the birding would be better in Kekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve and they had a platform tower on top of a hill to view raptors migrating. (I had heard about the tower and so liked that choice.) I told her to book me for tomorrow and she said she needed me to send money in advance for a reservation which I did not know how to do on my Kindle. So I just drove to their office in Puerto Viejo and paid cash.
View of Ocean from Bird-spotting TowerKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
The next morning Alex, a Bribri guide and uncle to the guide I had at Ara Project picked me up at my hotel. The time with him was as enjoyable as the birds we found and I got to photograph. As was walking by some of the simple homes in the reserve which I did not feel comfortable photographing. So really no Bribri photos this time, just the few birds and other animals I photographed. But I highly recommend the trip! And Alex! And Terraventuras!
And the Mountains in Other DirectionKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica We saw raptors coming from both directions, but mostly along the coast. |
Kites, Hawks and Vultures would Fly Together in the DraftsKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Mississippi Kite Was one of my new bird shots for Costa Rica Kekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
The Ever Present Turkey VultureKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Shining HoneycreeperKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Roadside HawkKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Keel-billed ToucanKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Hoffman’s Two-toed SlothKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica It was neat how close to our trail he was. My closest yet in the wild! |
Black & Green Poison Dart FrogKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Strawberry Poison Dart FrogKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Green Page MothKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Common Mytip ButterflyKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Isabella’s Tiger, a Longwing or Heliconia ButterflyKekoldi Bribri Indigenous Reserve, near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Sometimes going to an out of way place where most tourists don’t go is the best place for wildlife and adventure. It is my second Bribri reserve to visit and both were unique! Special! Go to my August 25-27, 2015 posts for photos of the Yorkin Bribri Reserve:
Nice Little Cafe and Gift Shop at the entrance, but not as big or as developed as Zoo Ave in La Garita! And you can only visit on a schedule with a tour guide, so get times ahead! On website: Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
NOTE: I am not repeating the photos of a Northern Tamandua Anteater and a Red-eyed Tree Frog that were shot here but shown in earlier posts. Click links to see again.
Brown Pelican with a broken wing Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Baby Possums whose mother was killed. They will raise and try to introduce back into the wild. Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Groove-billed Ani Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Keel-billed Toucan Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Red-lored Parrot Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
Spectacled Caiman Jaguar Rescue Center, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica |
To learn more about Jaguar Rescue Center, click link for their website where you can read the history, find out when there are tours and how you can volunteer. It is operated mostly by volunteers!
Or more specifically my BIRDS PHOTO GALLERY or
My OTHER WILDLIFE PHOTO GALLERY
Great Green Macaw On property of Ara Project Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Great Green Macaw On property of Ara Project Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Great Green Macaw On property of Ara Project Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Great Green Macaw On property of Ara Project Manzanillo, Costa Rica Macaws mate for life! |
Great Green Macaw On property of Ara Project Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Black-mandibled Toucan On property of Ara Project (and probably stealing Macaw food!) Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
The Endangered Species Great Green Macaw (birdlife.org) (or an easier article on Wikipedia) is listed in my Costa Rica Bird Guide as “rare” or “uncommon” in just a few spots along the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.
The Ara Project is one of the main reasons this endangered species is returning to Costa Rica. Click the Ara link to read about what they are doing in the Manzanillo area of Costa Rica with the Endangered Great Green Macaw and the less endangered larger population of Scarlet Macaws on our Pacific Coast. Habitat loss is the problem for both species and they help by providing Macaw housing in trees along the Caribbean coast. They have a hospital for injured birds or orphaned babies, but the others are all free and wild but come back “home” in Manzanillo for socializing, food that is provided, and some still use the tree houses or even hollows in trees here because it is a community of Green Macaws.
They exist in 3 other Central American countries and 2 in South America, but endangered throughout their habitat and rare or uncommon to find with fewer than 1,000 total left on earth. So I am thrilled about getting many photos here! The guided tour is set for the same time every afternoon when they are feeding which guarantees you photos. My guide was a Bribri young man named Duaro who is so knowledgeable about the birds and their services there and also speaks very good English! His Uncle Alex was my guide the next day to see birds in the Bribri Reserve (another post coming on that).
View from My Beach-side Hammock (3-pix panorama) Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
Looking to the Left Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
Looking to the Right Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
Dangerous Currents – No Swimming! Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica Yeah! They had a sign in English too, but this one more interesting! 🙂 |
Maybe Dangerous, But Fun Waves for Many! And many swim anyway and/or try to surf – “At Your Own Risk” Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
Multiple Caution Signs Protect the Hotel And are probably required by their Insurance Co. And “No Life Guards” is indicated at check-in Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
Barefoot Beach Futbol (Soccer) Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica And by the way, ALL BEACHES ARE PUBLIC in Costa Rica! There are no private or hotel only beaches. |
Local Boys – Not Tourists! Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
And Someone Kayaks By Our Beach Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica |
Sundown Mist One Evening Manzanillo Beach, Costa Rica This beach was not positioned right for the sometimes beautiful Caribbean sunrises Like this one at Tortuguero and on wrong side of country for sunsets! 🙂 |
I am not a “Beach Person” as some people call themselves, not liking to swim in the ocean at all! But I do love to visit and walk on the many beautiful beaches here. Some friends ask me to compare the Atlantic and Pacific beaches and that is difficult.
It is almost down to specific beach compared to specific beach. In general the Caribbean (or the Atlantic beaches) are less developed with more wildness and more natural things than much of the Pacific, though the Osa Peninsula or Corcovado National Park is a big exception on the Pacific side as are some other “South Pacific” beaches. In the north or Guanacaste there are a few pretty beaches but overall I think it is over-developed and I thought the famous Tamarindo Beach was ugly and overcrowded! Jaco is pretty but also overcrowded, especially on weekends as the closest beach to San Jose. South of there at Manual Antonio National Park there are two gorgeous beaches that are very crowded, both the one in the park and the one outside the park.
I still have a lot of exploring to do before I even think about ranking beaches. Then there is the important reason or purpose! Are you a surfer, swimmer, sunbather, fisher, or photographer? Each beach is different for each purpose. And there are a lot of choices! If you believe travel articles, here is one on “The Best Beaches” by “Costa Rica Experts.” You will not find Manzanillo listed though it is one the nicer ones I have visited and least crowded! Then here’s an article on “Costa Rica’s 6 Most Stunning Beaches” by TicoTimes, the online English language Gringo newspaper. And travel sites like TripAdvisor rank the ones that hotels and resorts pay them to rank best, so don’t believe everything commercial sites say. For example Tamarindo is promoted as one of the best, but after my visit there, it is one of my least favorite, remembering that I do not like crowds, commercialism and a lack of nature. So maybe that is why I favor the Caribbean beaches more than most people.
See also my VISTA GALLERIES for Caribbean Beaches and Pacific Beaches
My Room, a large wall tent on platform. Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Two Four-poster Beds Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Aff Hammock for daytime resting Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Sink, toilet & Shower beyond the Hot Tub Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
The “Hallways” between Room, Dining, Beach Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Covered Outdoor Dining Room Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
And Short Walk to the Beach Almonds & Corals Hotel, Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Wood Carving of a Toucan by Office
Almonds & Corals Hotel,
Manzanillo, Costa Rica
|
Note that this property is right on a beautiful beach which I will show in a separate post. AND many of the photos of animals were photographed right here on the hotel property in the jungle! It is truly living in the rainforest of South Caribbean Costa Rica. The beaches and towns on the Caribbean side are smaller, less crowded, more rustic and more natural than the much more developed Pacific Coast. And less expensive! But both sides have a lot to offer! And the reason I live in Central Valley instead of either coast is that both coasts are very hot and humid year-around and more expensive. But from the Central Valley I can easily visit both coasts and live in “The best weather in the world!” 🙂
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Kekoldi Bribri Reserve near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica Cool! He was at eye-level right along-side the hiking path. Closest I have ever been to one in the wild like this. |
Central American Spider Monkey Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Mantled Howler Monkey Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Central American Agouti Manzanillo, Costa Rica |
Northern Tamandua Anteater Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica In field outside entrance to Jaguar Rescue Center |
Sand Crab Manzanillo, Costa Rica These guys were all along the board walk between my tent & the beach. |
Black-mandibled Toucan Manzanillo, Costa Rica Flying over the Ara Project grounds Forgot him on the birds day! 🙂 |
See my galleries of birds, insects and other animals + people/places in my new galleries:
TOMORROW I will show you my unique safari tent hotel in Manzanillo and the following day photos of the beautiful beach right outside my tent. And finally, three days of reports on the three institutions I visited while in the South Caribbean: The Ara Project (Green Macaws), Jaguar Rescue Center, and the Kekoldi Bribri Indigenous People Reserve.
I expect to explore the Caribbean every September which is the month this rainforest area of Costa Rica has the least amount of rain and thus less hiking in mud! (Interestingly September is the month the rest of Costa Rica has the most rain.) My favorite spot in the Caribe so far is in the north Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park. It is a favorite place to take guests from the states, so I will go there any time of the year and hope to make it there sometime when the turtles are laying their eggs, March-May for Leatherbacks and July-October for Green Turtles. So I will never run out of something to do in the Caribbean of any other part of Costa Rica with so many parks and places I am yet to visit! The adventures continue! What a retirement!