Category: Costa Rica

Posted on

Good Friday Silence

As I walked to town, the streets were empty!
 Atenas, Costa Rica 

Even around Central Park
 Atenas, Costa Rica 

Every store is closed except Supermarkets & the Gasolinera that will close early.
 Atenas, Costa Rica 

Many homes had added new, bigger decorations.
 Atenas, Costa Rica 

Even the Catholic Church added a similar new decoration.
 Atenas, Costa Rica 

And people will be coming and going from the catholic church all day (all week!). The only activity.
 Atenas, Costa Rica 

And you might ask, “What about the non-religious?” Well, they are the ones filling the public beaches this week and fishing on the lakes and other “vacation” activities. One family I know is spending the whole week at the nearest beach. Semana Santa or “Holy Week” or “Easter Week” is not the best beach time for tourists, though most locals try to use different beaches and try to avoid tourists, but not totally possible, especially at Jaco, the closest big beach town to San Jose.

The smaller number of evangelicals and protestants in Costa Rica have a less dramatic emphasis on Easter and some expats, like the “new community” here at Iglesia Biblical have special activities they did back home. Ours did a Maundy Thursday Lord’s Supper or Communion Service Thursday night and some will meet at a member’s house at Sunrise Easter Morning for a Sunrise Service – which will be a good excuse for not attending the Spanish Language Easter Service at the church later. 
Hotel restaurants have to be open on Easter, but not many others will and even the supermarkets will have very limited hours on Easter. But this year will not have the usual Easter pageantry in the streets by law, since the first Sunday of April is Election Day and no public activities are allowed to compete with voting (only worship inside a church building). Meaning that many people will leave their church of whatever variety and go straight to the voting places where the unqualified, anti-Gay presidential candidate (an evangelical gospel singer) is expected to narrowly win the election in this conservative Catholic country.

Read the article  Holy Week the Costa Rican way

Felices Pascuas

Poner toda la carne en el asador.

¡Pura Vida!

Posted on

Pre-Easter Yellow

And for one week only – this particular tree.
Seen from my terrace as is the photo below.
Atenas, Costa Rica

 

Behind my “Cow Pasture Neighbors” Houses
Atenas, Costa Rica

 

Even the silhouetted Chachalaca seems to be admiring the yellow flowers.
In my Guarumo/Cecropia Tree
Atenas, Costa Rica
¡Pura Vida!
Posted on

Danta Corcovado Book is Ready!

Click image or this caption for a 
FREE ONLINE REVIEW OF THE BOOK & ALL PHOTOS!
I probably say this about all of my trips here, but this was one of the best and some very good photos like this cover photo of the Red-eyed Tree Frog made with my cell phone! When you click and get to bookstore, just click the cover image to start free preview of all pages and click each page to go to next page in this amazing digital world!
Happy Easter Week!
¡Feliz Semana Santa!

Read what one gringo says about this holiday week here. 
It is SPRING BREAK in big way with schools out and many off from work. 
Beaches are very busy this week. 
Posted on

Atenas Homes Prepare for Easter During Lent

Just three examples of the many homes celebrating Lent in Atenas. 
These I walk by almost every day – reminders of the atonement.

From the internet at: 
“In the Catholic and Episcopal churches, purple is the symbol of royalty,” said the Rev. Garry White, pastor of Orangeburg Lutheran Church. “It’s also a symbol of bruising and suffering. That is the color that is used during the season of Lent. In the week immediately prior to Easter on Good Friday, a lot of churches will take the purple cloth down and put up a black cloth as a more stark reminder of Jesus’ death.”
The placement of a white cloth on the cross on Easter Sunday represents the purity and wholeness demonstrated through Christ’s resurrection, White said.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live

John 11:25
Posted on

Four Links to help you Explore Costa Rica

Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park

First, as shared on Facebook, here is the link to my most recent TRIP Gallery

2018 March – Danta Corcovado
It was one of my best trips yet and I do recommend the lodge.

NOTE: This gallery is in the TRIPS folder of galleries where you can check out every trip I have ever made in Costa Rica with photos of the lodges, birds and other sights in each place (56). Trips are listed chronologically with most recent at the top. OR for a focus on just the lodges or hotels, I have an evaluation/review of every one I have visited here at:   Costa Rica Lodges & Hotels (35) listed alphabetically by name.

Tico Times Suggests
 Explore the best of Costa Rica with this two-week itinerary

Arenal Volcano

It might not be exactly how I would plan a two-week tour of Costa Rica, but it is a very good plan and includes a variety of sights and locations. And it includes both Tortuguero and Drake Bay, two of my very favorite places in Costa Rica! It would be a good choice, so consider it! 
AND SHORTER OPTIONS
If you only have 9 days to tour Costa Rica, I recommend Caravan.com tour of Costa Rica. It has some of the same places as 14-day tour without Tortuguero or Drake Bay, so of course the two week tour is better!  🙂  But Caravan gives you more for your money than any tour company here, period! The all-inclusive price is a real bargain!

And if you are considering moving here or retiring here like me, I consider it essential to take Christopher Howard’s Live in Costa Rica Tour.   It is one week (8-10 days) with a 3-day tour of the Pacific Coast, a 2-day ARCR Seminar in San Jose to answer every possible question, and then a 3 day tour of the Central Valley (where I live). And he had an optional tack-on tour of Guanacaste when I took it. Check his schedules on his website, there seem to be different lengths of tours.

And however you see Costa Rica, I hope you find our
¡Pura Vida!

Charlie Doggett, Retired in Costa Rica!

Posted on

Last Morning at Jungle Lodge

Heliconius Ismenius Clarescens 
 A regionally endemic butterfly found only in SW Costa Rica
Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Golden-hooded Tanager
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Chestnut-sided Warbler
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Red-lored Parrot  Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Pale-vented Pigeon
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Simple Trails Like This Led Me To . . . 

The Birding Canopy Tower
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Going early before breakfast gave me nice views as well as birds! 
 I went alone this morning compared to a group with guide on Wednesday.
 The birding tower is an excellent perk for birders who stay at
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

Lodge Office with Lobby to Left and Dining Room in the Background. 
See my photo gallery for more images of the lodge spaces and grounds.
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

The Last Trail Junction Before My Cabin 
I was in Gavilán (Hawk) Cabin
 Danta Corcovado Lodge, La Palma, Costa Rica

This lodge reminded me of the delightful days I spent at Boy Scout Camps as a boy, Camp Logoly near El Dorado, Arkansas and a whole summer while in college as staff on Camp Quapaw near Benton, Arkansas. There is nothing better than simple facilities totally emerged in nature! I have so many “favorite” places here in Costa Rica and this one is certainly near the top of the list! I will return in the future. And of course I hardily recommend it to anyone who loves nature and to my birding friends! After all, I found and photographed 4 “lifers” here or birds seen for the first time.! They were the Blue-crowned Manakin, Red-capped Manakin, White-shouldered Tanager, and the Scarlet-rumped Cacique.

I had intended to stay 5 nights but the airlines messed me up on that with only 4. Next time I will try again to stay longer and soak up the ambiance of this wonderful retreat! Another joy in being retired in Costa Rica! See more photos and all the birds & other animals in my TRIP Gallery:  2018 March 13-17 – Danta Corcovado. 
¡Pura Vida!
Posted on

A Day in Corcovado National Park

These are the general or scenery photos. For the main events see my photo galleries on Corcovado  Birds   –   Other Wildlife   –   Los Patos Waterfall

 

The Lodge converted a farmer’s tractor & trailer for hikers/tourists 
This took us the 6 km from lodge to ranger station where others must hike along river
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

Rio Rincon or the Rincon River 
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

I was the old man traveling with two young couples from Europe
as here, we sometimes drove in the river bed.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

And about 15-20 times we forded the river
When walking or riding a tractor, it is slow, even 6 km!
Plus we stopped for birds a few times, so an hour or so each way on tractor.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

River is park border, thus one side is private property like this house above.
When I got back I was showing the waiter/bartender David Venegas these photos and
he said, “Oh! That is my grandfather’s house!” Small little world down here!
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

This young man couldn’t use his bike along river but was headed to the graded gravel road 
And note the machete strapped to his side, a basic tool all over Costa Rica!
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

We finally leave the river and enter the woods to the ranger station. 
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

At our hiking trail entrance near the ranger station 
After we registered and signed in at the station, we hike rest of the day.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

“Velcro Plant” is what Jairo called it!
See next photo for why.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

School children cut pieces of the “Velcro Plant” leaves and stick on their shirts to make lots of images!
 Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

We are quickly in a thick virgen forest.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

There are still plants here not identified. 
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

More species in this park than in any other one place in the world! 
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

I want to photograph everything I see – but simply can’t! 
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

“Monkey  Brush” 
Jairo explains how monkeys use this fruit/seed of a tree to brush insects out of their fur.
Then one of our two girls demonstrated by brushing her hair. Incredibly good brush!
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

We stopped to see this “Stink Flower” 
which smelled awful! Like a dead animal!
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

And here Jairo collects some “Red Beans” 
He gave each of us 3 of the red beans or seeds and said
that tradition is they will bring us good luck if carried in pocket.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

Meanwhile David is looking for birds & found many! 
See the trip Birds Gallery for some I photographed.
And the trip’s Other Wildlife Gallery for other animals
photographed both in the park and at the lodge nearby.
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

Passion Flower as one of many wildflowers seen 
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

 

About 4pm we were back to ranger station and on slow tractor drive back to lodge by around 5pm
Los Patos Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

This was just a brief overview of an all day hike that included the beautiful waterfall in a separate post yesterday and many birds and other animals shown earlier. Corcovado is truly an incredible place! See the bigger picture through my TRIP Gallery 2018 March 13-17 – Danta Corcovado.

 
 
Note that this trip was on the northeast side of park labeled “Los Patos.”
My trip last year was in northwest corner labeled “San Pedrillo” near Drake Bay.
And in 2009 I visited the south side of park at “La Leona.”
 
 
 
¡Pura Vida!
Posted on

Los Patos Waterfall

Our hiking lunch break was at this beautiful waterfall!
Los Patos Waterfall
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

David and I Ate Our Sack Lunches Immediately! 
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

While this Swiss couple were anxious to get into the water!
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Actually the German guy was first to dive into the water, while his girlfriend ate first.
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

And here is my guide David Vargas diving in off the big rock (a belly buster!)
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

First one girl and the other in next photo diving in
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Sorry I didn’t get the names of the two couples, the German couple here
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

And before we knew it, time to dress and head back up the steep trail!

I had to make a portrait of my excellent birding guide David Vargas first!
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

And I think Jairo made this shot on David’s cell phone camera which he posted on Facebook. 
Since I’m a birder and the two Euro couples are not, Jairo assigned David to me as the birding guide.
 Los Patos Waterfall, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
I have hiked into Corcovado National Park three times now and this was the best! Both Jairo and David made it so as well as it being an excellent wilderness with fewer visitors. It was more difficult to hike with lots of steep hills or ups and downs which they say is the meaning of the Spanish word “Corcovado,”  –  “up and down”  though my online dictionary just translated it “hunchbacked” which is maybe a harsher version of the same thing?  🙂  My other two visits to this park were both on flat land near the ocean, La Leona and San Pedrillo and with different trees, plants and animals, though I saw more here – giving credit to Jairo and David. See the three locations on the map below.
I made a lot of other photos on this one all day hike, so check out the different category sub-galleries like birds, other wildlife and general Corcovado folder in my TRIP Gallery: 2018 March 13-17 – Danta Corcovado for a lot of fun images from this great wilderness.
Only one more Ranger Station I can visit – Sirena.  It is illegal to enter at any other point.
And Sirena requires a very long & difficult hike or boat or seaplane trip. Maybe someday!
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
¡Pura Vida!
I love this place!
Posted on

Corcovado Park Birds

Less than half of what we saw, not counting those at the lodge, but 20 photos is a big post!

Arranged in order found in book The Birds of Costa Rica, A Field Guide
which puts families & similar birds together.
Neotropical Cormorant
Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

White Ibis 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Lesser Yellowlegs 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Common Black Hawk 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Laughing Falcon 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Laughing Falcon 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Scarlet Macaws
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Red-lored Parrot
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Baird’s Trogon male guarding nest 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Baird’s Trogon female feeding babies in nest 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Slaty-tailed Trogon 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Amazon Kingfisher 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Golden-naped Woodpecker 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Common Tody Flycatcher 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Tropical Kingbird 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Blue-crowned Manakin 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Red-capped Manakin 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Cherrie’s Tanager male 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Black-striped Sparrow 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Great-tailed Grackle female 
 Los Patos, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
This is my third time and third part of the park to hike into and the best experience yet with the most birds and other sights. And it is a less-visited part of the park I think, which helps make it better! 
Note that my sightings/photos here of the Blue-crowned Manakin and the Red-capped Manakin are first time for each or “lifer” birds for me. (LIFER: A bird species when it is first seen and positively identified by an individual birder, a species that birder has never seen previously.) But he red-capped manakin was not doing his “Michael Jackson dance” that you may have seen on nature TV to attract females.

For what it is worth, other “lifers” on this trip at the lodge were the White-shouldered Tanager and the Scarlet-rumped Cacique. I shared photos of these and a few others seen at the lodge on my March 14 Post: Birds Seen Wednesday. And of course all will soon be in my online bird gallery and the TRIP Gallery 2018 March 13-17: Danta Corcovado. 

And oh yes, “Los Patos” is the name of this area of the park and name of the Ranger Station we had to go through and register for the visit. Real “backwoods” area not close to anything or any town. I just visited one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet and possibly the most! I will never tire of visiting Corcovado. More photos tomorrow! 

¡Pura Vida!
Posted on

Sunset on this week’s adventures . . .

Sunset Over the Pacific 
From our little 12 passenger Sansa airplane on the hour-late flight back to San Jose.
Along the West Coast of Costa Rica
¡Pura Vida! 
 And ohhhh soooo many more photos to share, but exhausted again tonight and so much to do here. So tomorrow I will continue my report on Danta Corcovado Lodge, probably first with birds seen in the park, then much more over the next few days. Buenas Noches.