Category: Atenas

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Who Rules the Roost? Rufous-tailed!

For 2 years I refused to have feeders, only flowers.
But gave in when Anthony left me with this feeder.
I do see more hummingbirds, but only one species now.
Atenas, Costa Rica

Like this juvenile Rufous-tailed,
they do still eat from flowers, but not totally.
Atenas, Costa Rica

The Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds dominate the feeder.
I believe there is a large family of them that had many babies.
Atenas, Costa Rica

This is an elder who may be in charge.
Atenas, Costa Rica

They even chase each other off the feeder or a “Pecking Order?”
Atenas, Costa Rica

I still have mixed emotions about using a feeder, though it does seem to keep more birds here year around. Not sure why I’m not seeing other species now which may be the work of the Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds chasing them off. I’ve thought about another feeder or two which most of the lodges I visit have even more of and many varieties of hummingbirds. We will see. I don’t like the extra work of boiling water and adding sugar every few days!  🙂   I’m lazy in retirement! And more feeders would mean more sugar water!

For many different birds, see my Birds Photo Galleries

Today I restart my Spanish blog titled ¡Aprendo Español en Atenas! for those who want to see me struggle with español. My teacher requested it!




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Waiting in line – Esperando en la fila.

Through the front window of my Alajuela bus is the line of people getting on the San Jose bus.
Like I had earlier done for my Alajuela bus with all ages and all walks of life waiting patiently.
Waiting in line is a part of life in Costa Rica; buses, banks, post office, medical services, etc.
It builds patience and patience builds character. Pura Vida!   🙂
The bus broke down on the outskirts of Atenas today and in about 10 or 12 minutes another bus was there to collect us all and on to Alajuela. We arrived 15 minutes later than expected. Not bad! In more than 2.5 years this is only the second bus I’ve had to break down and both were replaced in minutes! Our buses are on time, efficient service, nice, large and modern equipment from different manufacturers. Some are labeled “Daewood” which I think is a South Korea company, but not sure. I think others are from Europe or other Latin American countries. Affordable and efficient transportation is necessary to get people to and from work, school, shopping, and in the case of one couple I met last Saturday on the bus, to go walk in the pilgrimage to the Cartago Church.
One of our Atenas buses leaving Alajuela.
Yeh, I just missed it! But there’s one every 30 minutes in afternoon.

On our Atenas Costa Rica Info Facebook Group the other day a retiree considering a move here asked the question, “Can you actually live as a retiree in Atenas without a car?” And of course a bunch of us responded that we are doing it! I’m pleased to be going on to nearly 3 years without owning a car! And the excellent bus systems in Costa Rica make it possible to visit anywhere in the country or to other countries by bus! Plus walking is good for me.

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Welder Working at Home

He is usually out here welding something from a gate to a truck part
and his little sign makes no sense in any language. Home business.
Atenas, Costa Rica

Funny thing is that he usually works out on the dirt foot path and into the street. The city is now building a sidewalk on his side of the street and he had to move some of his junk. But 10 to 1 he will set up his welding on the new sidewalk when finished and we will still have to walk in the street!  🙂

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Today’s Butterflies in Garden

Pale Spotted Swallowtail Maybe
Or could be Red Spotted Purple Or Female Tiger Swallowtail
Atenas, Costa Rica

 

Banded Peacock 
Atenas, Costa Rica

 

Chisos Banded Skipper 
Atenas, Costa Rica

AND a great big yellow one (maybe a Sulphur) who would never land for a photo!  🙂

See my photo gallery of Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths

And see my photo book:  My First 50 Butterflies in Costa Rica  Review for free.

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Happiness is a butterfly,

which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp,

but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.     

Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Bringing Flowers Inside

I haven’t been sharing the bouquets I pick for the house,
but this one was different than most, so thought I would share.
Atenas, Costa Rica

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask? 

A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”

― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

See also my photo gallery Flora & Forests
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Home Business Signs: Dentist

This is just two of several in-home dentists in Atenas.

I guess 24 hour service is easier from your home!  🙂
Atenas, Costa Rica

With Dental Tourism big in Costa Rica, we have many dentists!
Atenas, Costa Rica

And the photo gallery of Home Business Signs in Atenas



Dentists are medical professionals 
who help you put your money where your mouth is. 
~Author Unknown

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Home Business Sign: Stuffed Grapefruits

Toronjas Rellenas (Stuffed Grapefruits) 
 In the front of their house they sell muy rica (very rich) stuffed grapefruit.
 Grapefruit is cooked in sugar to make it candied, then stuffed with cream cheese
 Delicious!
Atenas, Costa Rica

See also the photo gallery: Home Business Signs – Atenas


Or browse through all my galleries at:  Charlie Doggett’s COSTA RICA


Retired in Costa Rica
¡Pura Vida!
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What is that apparatus?

About my last blog post a faithful reader writes asking: “What is that apparatus behind the lady containing all those bags?”

I circled in red what he is talking about in yesterday’s photo.
Atenas, Costa Rica

And zoomed in on it for a closer look.
It is something every house is suppose to have,
cesto de basura or trash basket like your garbage can in the states.
You put your trash bags in here for pickup and they only pick up bags.
Anything not in a bag will be left, even boxes!
Atenas, Costa Rica

Here is my trash basket along the street by our gate. 3 houses in our compound use it.
 Size and color is up to you, but metal required and off the ground to avoid dogs, iguanas, etc.
And everything must be in a bag to be picked up!
There is a recycling center here, but without a car, not accessible or used much.
Atenas, Costa Rica

“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
~ My grandmother

And check out the “official” video on Atenas, just 2 1/2 min.   I live in a cool little town!
Or my little book on Atenas, Costa Rica   – Click pages to turn and fullscreen is best view
Or several of my Photo Galleries feature Atenas – just browse through them to see a quaint little town