Squirrel Cuckoo: Tico Rainforest B&B, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, December 2024 — We (Victor and I) found this Squirrel Cuckoo among the palms in a neighbor’s yard just down the road from Tico Rainforest B&B…not a cooperative bird at all…it stayed mainly hidden in the palm fonds in somewhat harsh direct sun and consequently deep shadow. This as the best I was able to do. They are, I think, called Squirrel Cuckoos because they look like Squirrels as they run along the branches of trees. There may be a more scientific reason, but if so, I am not aware of it. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.