Landing in San Jose went smooth as did customs…rubber stamp, literally. My first CR bird a Blue-and-white Swallow that I saw through the glass of the airport. We were soon riding along the highway in a turismo bus. Most of the group were exhausted, I on the other hand was gawking at everything.
We were fruitless on finding the fruit stands in Orotina due to it being Sunday…bummer. A stop at the bridge over the Rio Tarcoles was completely awesome. The crocodiles were right there with several lunkers, to borrow a fishing term. A multitude of white-collared swifts were feeding overhead. A Great Kiskadee was on the powerlines along the bridge. Leaving the bridge, the driver pointed out a pair of flying Scarlet Macaws…things are looking up.
Once we arrived in Jaco of “Jacko” as one of my worth constituents called the town, I went out into the heat and managed to trespass on a lot for future condos…damn condos…but it still had some great habitat along the sides and back of the property. I was able to find a Bare-throated Tiger-heron and a few Blue-black Grassquits. A Black Iguana also was seen scrambling up a tree.
The rest of day was spent ambling around Jaco with Bret, I was able to scare up a Basilisk Lizard and a Green Kingfisher.
Tonight I went out at night and hear a Common Paranaque.
Yesterday as I was riding home from a client’s location, I did a little birding from the bike. I was able to see displaying Brown-headed Cowbirds and Brewer’s Blackbirds. The most unique sighting of the day was a an almost completely black Red-tailed Hawk. The tail showed just a hint of red shading.
In another note, the Costa Rica trip seems like it is a go. I’m getting super excited about a return to CR. I have begun to generate a target list using my local copy of WilderTrack. As a side note, WilderTrack is nearing release as soon as I get the database on the server and some business things lined out.
I was informed today that it I will be taking a working vacation to my favorite place in the world…Costa Rica. I went to CR about 5 years ago and I have always wanted to return and see more the country. This time around I am definitely going to concentrate more on birding, herping and diving. My mind is simply reeling with the possibilities.
Resplendent Quetzal (dipped last time)
Take 1,000s of images (100s last time, too conservative)
Shark Dive
Fer-de-lance…not to handle but at least see.
Crocodile images (Rio Tarcoles)
etc, etc
Here are a few of my favorite pics from my last visit.
