Category: Birds

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Isla Popa for the Snowy Cotinga

One afternoon we had a 2 hour boat ride around a smaller island called Popa. 
This is the only island in the Boca del Toro Archipelago to have the Snowy Cotinga.
We searched for over an hour before we finally found one of these semi-rare birds.
Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

For the birders among my readers, this is only my second time to see and photograph a Snowy Cotinga. The other time was Christmas before last at Selva Verde Lodge Sarapiquí.  


And everyone likes to see a toucan! This is now called the Yellow-throated Toucan
Popa is close enough to the mainland for toucans to fly to them.
Our island, Barsimanto, is not, thus no toucans!
Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

Brown Pelican 
 Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

Brown Pelican 
 Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

Being in the Atlantic Ocean with lots of islands and mainland nearby is pretty!
Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

I love the trees! 
 Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

I love the trees! 
 Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

I love the trees! 
 Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

And the houses and tourist cabins are interesting too! 
 Popa Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama
Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama
I am now back home in Atenas, Costa Rica after a very long day getting back with rain and heavy traffic making it a slower drive and not back home until about 8:30 or 9:00 PM Wednesday night. Today, Thursday, was busy with laundry, grocery shopping, bank visit, and lots of text messages and emails to deal with. Friday I meet a young friend for lunch who wants to practice his English and I will practice my Spanish. And Saturday morning I will go to Alajuela to pick up another photo book that has arrived. I probably will be sharing more photos from Panama for another week. It was a good trip! 

And in between all the other things I will be back onto building my new website and maybe transferring this blog to it. 
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Early Birds 2

Blue Dacnis Female
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Passerini’s Tanager
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Palm Tanager
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Kiskadee
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Green-breasted Mango Hummingbird
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Tropical Kingbird
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Plain-colored Tanager
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama

And my photo gallery:  Panama Birds
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Early Birds 1

I was going to do one post with the first or early birds photographed here on the lodge grounds, but with 14 already I’m dividing it into two posts of 7 each. Then we go to another island today and the mainland tomorrow for many more birds I hope! But with slow internet, 7 is enough for one post!

Red-lored Parrot
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Red-lored Parrot
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

There are also Mealy Parrots and Blue-headed Parrots here, but I have no photos of them yet. 

Lineated Woodpecker
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Boat-billed Flycatcher
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

There is a slight difference between this flycatcher and the Kiskadee which I will show one of tomorrow. They are easy to confuse!

White-lined Tanager
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

The “white line” is on his shoulder and only seen when in flight. 

Blue-gray Tanager
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Living slow in the jungles on an island in the Western Atlantic or Western Caribbean Sea. It is very hot and humid and you tire easily but it is a great place with lots of wildness, This afternoon we go to another island for a particular bird found only there, the Snowy Cotinga. Tomorrow we do the first of three trips to the mainland for birds. The two families running the lodge are very accomodating of us and our needs/desires. Cabins are very nice and the food is very good. We are experiencing a Panama version of pura vida!

TTranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge 

Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama
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The flowers have to be sisters of the birds..!!

My favorite birding group here now is a Tico Facebook group called:  Asociacion Ornitologica de Costa Rica

The one photo I posted there from my Arenal trip was this Keel-billed Toucan that I also used on the cover of the book about Arenal Observatory.

Several comments were made but the most interesting was from Diego who said,

Las flores han de ser hermanas de las aves..!!

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: 
The flowers have to be sisters of the birds..!!

It is possibly and old saying or even a quote from some writer (though my Google search did not find an author), but I thought it so interesting and true especially with some of the many colorful birds here in Costa Rica and I appreciate Diego’s comment! 

Toucans are difficult to photograph even with the tower at Arenal putting me up on their level! But they certainly are a lot like flying flowers!   🙂


If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes. 
~Charles Lindbergh
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Last Day in this Paradise – Arenal Observatory

A sign in the lodge property that is my motto for travels all over Costa Rica.
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Variable Seedeater male
 Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

I tried again this morning and will again this afternoon and tomorrow morning, but have not found

my two target bird, Bare-necked Umbrella Bird and Yellow-eared Toucanet which I have a lousy dark photo of from Tenorio National Park, but I really want a good photo of one! Both birds are supposed to be here but you can never guarantee a find! As of Tuesday afternoon I do have photos of 27 different species of birds and 5 of those are new photo-finds for me! So not bad! They are:

4. Gray-capped Flycatcher  (with a fly in his mouth)
5. Piratic Flycatcher

Links are to my photo of that bird on this trip. 

And the big treat for today was monkeys! I went back to “The Nest” or observation tower at 4:00 PM and it was surrounded by both Howler Monkeys and a few Spider Monkeys, but I have 300 photos to go through and pick just a few for you in tomorrow’s post. So Expect monkeys tomorrow!   🙂
And now for tonight’s last sunset at Arenal for me: 
Sunset over Lake Arenal at Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
¡Pura Vida!

And My Photo Gallery for this Trip is being added to daily while on the trip! 
There you can see all the birds together, etc. plus photos not on the blog.


Tomorrow morning at 11 AM I reluctantly leave Arenal for my return to Atenas. 
This is definitely one of my favorite getaway places, but then I have so many! 
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Sample Photos from Today’s Adventure

Red-eyed Tree Frog 
And yes, this one is orange and I can’t explain why. Usually bright red!
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

Semiplumbeous Hawk 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

Gray-capped Flycatcher with insect in his mouth! 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

House Wren Singing 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

Buff-rumped Warbler 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

Variable Seedeater 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

I took so many photos of so many birds and other animals that the above is just a sample from my guided bird walk this morning before breakfast. For more, see Trip Gallery Arenal Observatory

The Broader “Pre-Sunset”Look behind the Restaurant Deck (shot from my room)
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica

And the other extreme, zooming in on the sun behind the clouds tonight.
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal National Park, Costa Rica
¡Pura Vida!

And My Photo Gallery for this Trip is being added to daily while on the trip! 
There you can see all the birds together, etc. plus photos not on the blog.
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Waterfall & Bird Count Day

Danta Waterfall
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Crested Guan
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Great Curassow
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Montezuma Oropendola
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Green Honeycreeper female
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Mantled Howler Monkey
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Emerald Basilisk
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

One of the Lillies
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Hibiscus
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Tonight’s Sunset Over Lake Arenal
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

And today was eBird’s “Global Big Day” of bird counting. Here is a link to my eBird List of 11 species seen here at Arenal Observatory Lodge. All of the birding guides here were out counting today which is why I could not have a guided bird hike today. I have one tomorrow.

¡Pura Vida!

And My Photo Gallery for this Trip is being added to daily while on the trip! A longer more leisurely trip makes this possible and my galleries are my main trip reports. Enjoy!
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First Half Day Hallelujah!

Yellow-throated Toucan Eating a Lizard
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Male & Female Great Curassow 
 Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Lineated Woodpecker 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Montezuma Oropendola 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Red-legged Honeycreeper, female & male 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Palm Tanager 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Blue-gray Tanager 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

White-nosed Coati 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano from my Lodge Room 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

Sunset from my Room Deck 
Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica

What can I say? The photos are worth a thousand words and this was just after getting here at noon today and eating lunch first. It is a totally amazing place and instantly one of my favorites! And with another 4 and 1/2 days yet to go!

¡Pura Vida!

And My Photo Gallery for this Trip is being added to daily while on the trip! A longer more leisurely trip makes this possible and my galleries are my main trip reports. Enjoy!
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Tarcoles River The Place

Nice Trees and Plants Along the River
from mangroves to forests and plains
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Surrounded by Mountains and the Pacific Ocean
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Tarcoles Teens Headed for School at 7:30 AM
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Welcome to Our Tour Boat
Jungle Crocodile Safari
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

A Fishing Village, Thus Boats Everywhere! 
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Mangrove Trees
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Lone Boat Anchored in Mouth of River
That’s ocean waves just beyond the boat.
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Why do I want to photograph every boat I see?
Low tide on a tidal river close to its mouth
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Other Tour Boats Going Out
You have several choices, but ours is the best for birding.
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Our Guide Explaining Something to John
Like me, he talks with his hands 🙂
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica
Just being on the river is a great nature experience even if you did not see a single bird! And the little village is an interesting place too. See some of my past village shots.
And the Trip Gallery for this is called 2018-February-27–Tarcoles River Trip
For all of my BIRDS photos. that gallery or 
Link to the Google Map Location of Tarcoles & our Jungle Crocodile Safari
My other trips on TARCOLES RIVER 
and their photos (all different!): 
2016 December:   

2015 July:   

2015 March:   

2015 February:   
2011 May Cruise Ship Excursion:
And a sub-gallery for all the birds
Yeh, I kind of like it! And have been here more than any other place birding in Costa Rica. 
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More Birds from Tarcoles River

The balance of bird photos I will share here from yesterday’s visit to Tarcoles River: 
Wood Stork
 Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

White Ibis 
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Boat-billed Heron 
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Roseate Spoonbill  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Panama Flycatcher 
 Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Great Blue Heron  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Lesser Nighthawk
 Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Common Black Hawk  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Green Kingfisher female  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

 Yellow Warbler 
 Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Mangrove Cuckoo  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Tropical Kingbird  
Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

This two days of about 20 bird photos are with thanks to the boat facility we used, Jungle Crocodile Safari, my favorite because they emphasis the birds rather than the crocs! I recommend them if in the Jaco area or west-central Costa Rica. And it was only 20 photos, but we saw more like 30 species! I simply cannot get a useable photo of all birds seen on any of my trips!

¡Pura Vida!


See also my BIRDS Photo Gallery

And tonight I will be setting up a new “Trip Gallery” on this Tarcoles River trip at:
2018-February-27–Tarcoles River

-o-

ICE Builds Handicap Accessible Trail at Manuel Antonio National Park.
Online article in English about a new elevated trail in the Mangrove area of park that is wheelchair accessible and all signs include braille for the blind. This is real progress for Costa Rica since most of our tourist activities are not handicap accessible.