White-winged Dove . . .

. . . in my Cecropia (Guarumo) Tree.

White-winged Dove, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

See also my White-winged Dove GALLERY.

And for those considering a move to Costa Rica or wondering why I live where I do in the Central Valley, see this short article on a realtor’s website: 7 Reasons to Relocate to Atenas, Costa Rica 🙂

Melodious Blackbird

This all black bird can be found on both slopes of Costa Rica and in some areas is quite common. He is the only totally black bird in Costa Rica with even his bill and eyes being black. Read about him on eBird or see more of my photos (better ones) in the Melodious Blackbird Gallery.

Melodious Blackbird, Atenas, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

Hoffmann’s Woodpecker

Though Black-cheeked Woodpecker seems to be more common around Atenas for me, this species may be the second most common woodpecker, at least in my garden. 🙂

Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Atenas, Costa Rica
Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Atenas, Costa Rica

See my Hoffmann’s Woodpecker Gallery

or read about on eBird.

¡Pura Vida!

And for Halloween see this Tico Times article with video of Spooky Creatures Inhabit Costa Rica’s Jungles.

Camera Trap Photo by Vincent Losasso for Tico Times.

Hummingbird in the Fog

The light fog around this Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is maybe what provided a light purple background as a contrast to his bright green top – a nice compliment of colors! Nature as Art! 🙂

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Atenas, Costa Rica
Continue reading “Hummingbird in the Fog”

Tanna Longtail

The five spots in that upper short white line on the wing is what makes this a Tanna instead of a Teleus, Brown or Plain Longtail. Otherwise, those four are very similar and often confused. These two were in my garden and are fairly common Skippers here.

Tanna Longtail, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Tanna Longtail, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica

See my Tanna Longtail Skipper GALLERY.

And for comparisons with Teleus, Plain & Brown Longtails, browse through all my SKIPPER GALLERIES to see those and many others! 🙂

¡Pura Vida!

Los Colinas del Sol Wildlife

On September 30 after my house was fumigated for ants, I spent the night at our little neighborhood Hotel Colinas del Sol and though cloudy and getting dark, I got some shadowy shots of 3 birds and two butterflies seen below. Nothing spectacular, but nature is almost everywhere waiting to be seen and photographed! And I love it, even in bad light! 🙂

Simple Big-eyed Satyr
Juvenile Baltimore Oriole
Great Kiskadee
Hoffmann’s Woodpecker

¡Pura Vida!

And this Banded Peacock Butterfly I posted on that night. 🙂

Ruffled Feathers . . .

. . . is the first impression you get from this Rufous-naped Wren who was either grooming himself or drying out in my Guarumo Tree the other day. 🙂

Rufous-naped Wren, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Rufous-naped Wren, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica

See my Rufous-naped Wren GALLERY for more of this bird!

¡Pura Vida!

Banded Peacock Butterfly

This one is usually very common in my garden, but not this year! This is maybe the fourth time I’ve seen one this year or at least recently. Here’s three photos, all a little different . . .

Banded Peacock, Atenas, Costa Rica
Continue reading “Banded Peacock Butterfly”

Hammock Skipper

This is another new species for me, assuming I have identified correctly. Mine has more tail than those photos in the books and online, but the folded wing pattern is identical and my basis for this identification. Hammock Skipper, Polygonus leo. In my garden in Atenas.

Hammock Skipper, Atenas, Costa Rica

See all my Skippers’ GALLERIES!

Or more of this species on Butterflies & Moths.org.

¡Pura Vida!

Black-cowled Oriole Eating . . .

I haven’t seen this bird in quite a while, but he was one of about 4 species in my Cecropia Tree the other morning, feeding on the flowers like the toucans sometimes do. And as usual, he was partially hidden by leaves the entire time here! You can see other shots in my Black-cowled Oriole GALLERY showing the same hiding problem always! Except my very first shot here in Costa Rica of one on my window screen inside my house! 🙂 Here’s just two shots . . .

Black-cowled Oriole eating a Cecropia Flower, Atenas, Costa Rica
Black-cowled Oriole eating a Cecropia Flower, Atenas, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!