Posts in Category: Sarapiqui
Costa Rica! Another unexpected
Yellow Tyrannulet: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — another unexpected bird found foraging in the same field as a flock of mostly Variable Seedeaters. Not a seed eater at all, it was undoubtedly hunting the insects the seed eaters were stirring up. It is quite a common bird, but one with a highly fragmented range down through Central America and over much of South America. It has 5 regional subspecies. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Odd bird out
Morelet’s Seedeater: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — In a field full of Variable Seedeaters, this bird stood out. Formerly the White-collared Seedeater until split, it is another seedeater of the fields and savannas from the US boarder with Mexico down through all of lowland Central America, including Costa Rica. This is, apparently, a non-breeding male, and is a particulary bright specimen at that. It is uncommon enough in Sarapiqui so that Victor, my host at Tico Rainforest B&B, had to consult with experts to identify it. This was distant for such a small bird and both shots are heavy crops. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Smokey-brown
Smokey-brown Woodpecker: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — on my first morning at Tico Rainforest B&B, my host, Victor, took me for a walk around the neighborhood and on his property looking for birds. We saw a lot of Seed-finches, and then this Smokey-brown Woodpecker, eventually finding a spot where we could see the bird through the tangle of vegetation along the edge of a field. The smallish, plain colored woodpecker, though common all through Central America and down into South America, was a first for me. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! More than he can chew
Broad-billed Motmot: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — On my first day at Tico Rainforest B&B, Victor, my host, took me out on his little patch of second growth rainforest to look for birds. We found lots! One of the highlights was this Broad-billed Motmot who had caught a rather large flying insect and was having difficulty both subduing it, and getting it down. I have snipit of video showing it beating it against the branch. It eventually got it swallowed and I hope it made up in nutrients what it cost the Motmot to catch and eat it. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.
Costa Rica! Scarlet indeed
Scarlet Macaw: Pierrella Ecology Garden, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — We had gone back to finish our lunches when someone called out the Scarlet Macaws that had come into the same trees where we had just seen the Great Green Macaws, so of course, we grabbed cameras and when back out to the Garden entrance. Indeed, half a dozen Scarlet Macaws were feeding, along with a few Great Green’s left over from the previous group. The Scarlet Macaw was never in as much trouble as the Great Green in Costa Rica as its diet is not so specialized, and it is more adaptable to habitat changes, but it is always great to see a wild flock of Macaws. They are spectacular birds. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Great Green indeed
Great Green Macaw: Pierrella Ecology Garden, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — Pierrella Ecology Garden is actually a butterfly farm…they raise and export chrysalides of a wide variety of native tropical butterflies…but the attention to the health of the rainforest they have carefully restored to what was once pastureland, including the butterfly host plants, has made it home to all the birds of the region, including some difficult to see like the Great Green Macaw in these photos. The Great Green Macaw was almost totally expatriated from its native range in Costa Rica, and its restoration to a healthy population is one the great success stories of the ecology movement in Central America, and in the world. These magnificent parrots flew into feed in their favorite tree, planted with intention near the entrance to the gardens. We saw at least 4, perhaps 5, in a single tree. A truly magical moment. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! mid-morning snack
Slaty-tailed Trogon: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — While watching two Slaty-tailed Trogons, this female did one of her swoop out and catch a bug things, and landed on a vine almost at arm’s reach above my head. Almost too close to focus. This is full frame, uncropped, at 600mm equivalent. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 as above. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Slaty-tailed Trogon
Slaty-tailed Trogon: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui Costa Rica, December 2024 — Victor, my host at Tico Rainforest B&B on the Puerto Viejo River in Costa Rica found me this wonderful Slaty-tailed Trogon on his property, and we had excellent views of at least two individuals. This is a full adult male. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di3 at 517mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Both sides now
Collared Aracari: Selva Verde Lodge and Reserve, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2023 — I began to think we were going to get through our whole time at Selva Verde without seeing an Aracari…which would have been very strange for December…but a small group finally showed up early one morning in the rain. Toucans in general were in short supply while we were there. Facebook friends tell me they are coming to feeding stations in their normal numbers now, so maybe it was just some heavy crop of fruit they like in the rainforest that was keeping them busy away from the feeders. I hope so. OM System OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Costa Rica! Frog different
Rosenburg’s Tree Frog (?): Macaw Ranch, Sarapique, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Of course, the Red-eyed Leaf (or Tree) Frog is not the only amphibian of the Sarapique rainforest. We found this brown species in a bush near the ranch house at Macaw Ranch. Tree Frogs are very rare in the daylight. I think it might be a Rosenburg’s. OM System OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.