2008
Animalblog by Terry Costales
The daily animal world as seen by Terry Costales as seen from Stuttgart, Germany to Lake Merritt, Oakland, California.
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Western Grebe
(1 of 94) (37841 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Monday, February 18, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There were many Western Grebesexternal link on the lake. They were more wary of people than the ducks and kept their distance.
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Siberian Tiger Tatiana
(2 of 94) (37508 views)

(2007) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is Tatiana on Sept 29, 2007 looking alive and well. Due to incompetence at the Zoo and the malicious idiocy of a few young men, she and one of those young men are now deceased. A needless tragedy that ought never have happened.

One should build wild animal enclosures with as much protection for the animals from the public as the public from the animals. We all know bridges and buildings in San Francisco must be built, or retrofitted, to withstand an earthquake the magnitude of which we may never see. So I assumed (incorrectly, as we all did) that a wild animal enclosure would be built with worst case scenarios in mind as well.

I have read comments by citizens calling for the zoo's permanent closure but that is just a knee-jerk response. Zoos provide valuable sevices to the public, including breeding programs of our most endangered species, education and research. If built and maintained properly an excellent zoo can be as much a part of the cultural fabric of our city as are its library, symphony, parks and museums.

Every major disaster gives us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. The shipping industry learned a hard lesson from the sinking of the Titanic. After the Loma Prieta earthquake our building codes changed. Let's only hope we learn and apply valuable and obvious lessons from this, our current zoo catastrophe.

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Black Crowned Crane
(3 of 94) (37978 views)

(2007) San Francisco, California
Photo Posted Friday, January 25, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This photo was taken Sept 29, 2007. The Black Crowned Craneexternal link is an African bird and endangered by loss of habitat.

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Ugly Bird
(4 of 94) (37530 views)

(2008) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Monday, January 28, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I don't know what kind of bird this is. Some kind of stork-like-vulture-thingy. It was in the walk-through aviary. Scary huh?

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Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
(5 of 94) (38074 views)

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(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Another view of the distant and beautiful Harrier.

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Black Swan (cygnus atratus)
(6 of 94) (37401 views)

(2008) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Friday, February 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This photo shows the ruffled feathers on the back and white feathers edging the wings of the Black Swan.external link

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Grizzly (Ursus arctos)
(7 of 94) (37469 views)

(2008) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Saturday, February 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a swimming bear in the new Grizzly Gulchexternal link exhibit at the zoo. The zoo acquired two female Montana bears that were about to be euthanized. They had become too used to humans and couldn't be released back into the wild.

Their new home is a well designed habitat and hopefully all the exhibits there can be brought up to this standard.

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Black and White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata)
(8 of 94) (37500 views)

(2008) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Monday, February 4, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The lemurs at the zooexternal link have a large natural exhibit that gives them many opportunities to climb, relax and relate to one another.
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Flamingos
(9 of 94) (37862 views)

(2008) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Thursday, February 7, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Maybe I should have posted this on Valentines Day. It's either affection or defense of territory.
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Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
(10 of 94) (37877 views)

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(2008) Lake Merritt,external link Oakland, California
Photo Posted Sunday, February 17, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The male Buffleheadexternal link is a strikingly beautiful bird. There were several on the lake this summer-like day, having a good time diving to avoid the photographer.
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Heermann's Gull
(11 of 94) (38809 views)

(2007) Sausalito, California
Photo Posted Monday, January 1, 2008
© 2007 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This juvenile Heermann's gull exhibits its main identifying marks clearly: black feet, red bill and dusky body. As an adult, its head will become pure white.

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American White Pelican
(12 of 94) (40456 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Wednesday, February 20, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There was this one lone white pelican at the nature centerexternal link that day. It was probably an injured bird being nursed back to health, or it just knew a good hand-out when it saw one.
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Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
(13 of 94) (38107 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Thursday, February 21, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There were many male and female Goldeneyes out on the lake that day. This is a very handsome male. Goldeneyes are closely related to Buffleheadsinternal link and are also found in Scotland and Great Britain.external link
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Goldeneye
(14 of 94) (37883 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, Californiaa
Photo Posted Saturday, February 23, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a female Goldeneyeexternal link showing how differently the genders appear. No flashy white dudsinternal link for this lady.
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Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
(15 of 94) (37540 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Sunday, February 24, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a male Canvasbackexternal link duck resting in the water. You can't see the long red neck in this photo but I like the pose anyway.
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Canvasback female
(16 of 94) (37959 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Monday, February 25, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is the mate of yesterday'sinternal link male Canvasback. She is in almost the exact same pose that he, but here you can see her paler, gentler colors.
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Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
(17 of 94) (37761 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Friday, February 26, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a very cute little diving birdexternal link . When they come up after a dive they puff up their posterior so it looks like a big powder puff. Then right before they dive, they bring those feathers close to their body and the powder puff becomes a streamlined torpedo.
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Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)
(18 of 94) (37446 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Wednesday, February 27, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Greater Scaupsexternal link are very common in the Bay Area. This is a male.
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Greater Scaup
(19 of 94) (37431 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Monday, February 25, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is the female scaup. Much more muted in coloration than yesterdays male.internal link
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Lesser Scaup
(20 of 94) (37779 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Friday, February 29, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The male lesser scaupexternal link is almost identical to the male greater scaup.internal link The head of the lesser gleams purple whereas the greater gleams green. Supposedly the lesser is also smaller than the greater, but I haven't found that to be so.
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Lesser Scaup
(21 of 94) (37880 views)

(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
Photo Posted Saturday, March 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is the female lesser scaup. The mate of yesterday's male. internal link
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Bufflehead
(22 of 94) (37991 views)

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(2008) Lake Merritt
Photo Posted Sunday, March 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a photo of a female Bufflehead. She definitely has a quieter look than her handsome but flashy mate.internal link
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Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
(23 of 94) (37499 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Friday, March 14, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The red squirrelsexternal link in Germany don't look like the squirrels here. Get a load of those ear tufts!

This shot was back lit and little more than a silhouette, but it was the only close-up I got. So I digitally adjusted it much more than I would normally.

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Anna's Hummingbird
(24 of 94) (37746 views)

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(2008) Palo Alto Bird Sanctuary, California
Photo Posted Saturday, March 15, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Yesterday in Palo Alto was chilly and grey for the most part. Fortunately the sun came out once in a while and highlighted this wonderful little birdexternal link while it fed.
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Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)
(25 of 94) (37878 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Sunday, March 16, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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A very understated but beautiful duck.external link There is also an American Wigeonexternal link but I haven't personally seen one yet.
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Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
(26 of 94) (37947 views)

(2008) Stuttgart, Germany
Photo Posted Monday, March 17, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Fieldfareexternal link is about the size of an American Robin and its movements are similar. It took me quite a while to identify it as I had never heard of a Fieldfare before.

According to Wikipedia the name comes from "feld-fere meaning "traveller through the fields", probably from their constantly moving, foraging habits."

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Butterfly
(27 of 94) (37403 views)

(2008) Zoo, Stuttgart, Germany
Photo Posted Tuesday, March 18, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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A rare opportunity to see and photograph these colorful creatures. Butterflyexternal link in German is Schmetterling.
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White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
(28 of 94) (39310 views)

(2008) Stuttgart Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Wednesday, March 19, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I was quite taken with this two foot tall, chicken-turkey-like bird.external link It's a ground dwelling native of eastern Africa.external link
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White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
(29 of 94) (37697 views)

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(2008) Stuttgart Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Thursday, March 20, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is a close up of yesterdays' subject.internal link
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Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
(30 of 94) (37823 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Friday, March 21, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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These little birdsexternal link were everywhere. They were always on the move, hopping, flitting, hanging upside down and really fun to watch.
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Great Tit (Parus major)
(31 of 94) (37971 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Saturday, March 22, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Great Titexternal link is the most numerous bird in the parks of Karlsruhe and is related to the birdinternal link of yesterdays' posting. The Great is a little larger and bolder.
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Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix)
(32 of 94) (38045 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Sunday, March 23, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Chiloe Wigeonexternal link comes from, as its name suggests, Chile. The duck was curious and friendly even though it knew we weren't going to feed it. The "No feeding the animals" rule is strictly adhered to in Germany.
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Cormorant
(33 of 94) (39828 views)

(2008) Stuttgart, Germany
Photo Posted Monday, March 24, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This bird is resting on an urn placed next to a reflecting pool inside the Stuttgart Zoo. It isn't caged and flew in on its own. I witnessed many herons, storks and cormorantsexternal link fly into various enclosures to take advantage of the plentiful food supply.
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Grey Heron
(34 of 94) (38092 views)

(2008) Stuttgart, Gemany
Photo Posted Tuesday, March 25, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Grey Heronexternal link is the European version of our Great Blue Heronexternal link and quite plentiful in the city of Stuttgart. I saw this one in a large city park where I was lucky to get this in-flight shot.

When we got to the Zoo, we discovered dozens of them perched in the trees. Others were perched on buildings ledges, while several were already nesting.

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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
(35 of 94) (37710 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Sunday, March 30, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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These storksexternal link were nesting in a very tall tree inside of the Karlsruhe Zoo. I took this photo from partway up the hill in the center of the park.
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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
(36 of 94) (37649 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This photo was taken from high on the hill in the center of the zoo. It shows the storks nestinternal link in context.
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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
(37 of 94) (38187 views)

(2008) Stuttgart, Germany
Photo Posted Wednesday, April 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Yesterday's posting showed storksinternal link nesting in a tree. Here is a photo showing storks nesting on top of a building that was in the Stuttgart Zoo.
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Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
(38 of 94) (37746 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Saturday, April 5, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Mandarin ducksexternal link are very striking in appearance. At least the male, he looks like he's wearing a costume.

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Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
(39 of 94) (37851 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Monday, April 7, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is a shot of the male from yesterday's postinginternal link which shows the unusual feather formation over his back.
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Irish Wolfhound
(40 of 94) (37458 views)

(2008) San Francisco, California
Photo Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Irish Wolfhoundexternal link is the tallest breed of dog. It's hard to imagine this extremely gentle animal being used in war, but war is the original use for which they were bred.
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Bryan and Terry showing off their Segway skills.
(41 of 94) (37400 views)

(2008) Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA
Photo Posted Thursday, May 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Amazing!! What a thrill!! Segways rock!external link
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Butterfly
(42 of 94) (37468 views)

(2008) Wilhema Zoo, Stuttgart, Germany
Photo Posted Friday, May 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Hall of Butterflies (Schmetterlingshalle)external link was one of my favorite spots in the Zoo.
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Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)
(43 of 94) (37392 views)

(2008) Wilhelma Zoo, Stuttgart, Germany
Photo Posted Saturday, May 3, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a beautiful female camel.external link She has very petite furry ears.
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Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo)
(44 of 94) (37811 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Sunday, May 4, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Although a large and very stately bird, this is actually the smallest variety of crane.external link
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Bar-headed Geese
(45 of 94) (37925 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe Zoo, Germany
Photo Posted Saturday, May 10, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There is a small flock of these beautiful geese external link living on the small lake inside the zoo. Bar-headed geese were featured in the nature documentary "Winged Migration" which I highly reccomend. external link add a comment or report a mistake
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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
(46 of 94) (39635 views)

(2008) Unalaska, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Photo Posted Saturday, May 17, 2008
© 2008 Denver Welte Creative Commons License
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Bald Eagles external link are very numerous in Dutch Harbor, where they live year round. They are used to people and you see them perched on dumpsters and piers, looking for an easy meal.

Bald comes from the Old English "pie-bald", which means partially white.

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Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus)
(47 of 94) (37691 views)

(2008) Unalasaka, external link Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Photo Posted Sunday, May 18, 2008
© 2008 Denver Welte Creative Commons License
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Taken July 2007, this photo shows the summer coloring of the Arctic Fox. external link In winter it will be snow white.
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Wild Horses of Unalaska
(48 of 94) (37608 views)

(2008) Unalaska, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Photo Posted Friday, May 23, 2008
© 2008 Denver Welte Creative Commons License
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Part of the small herd of wild horses external link on the island. They were originally brought to the island about 12 years ago and then abandoned.
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Northern "Bullock's" Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
(49 of 94) (38050 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Monday, May 26, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I observed this female oriole external link as it fed and then flew into its nearby nest. It would remain in its nest a few minutes, then fly out again. The nest would have been invisible if not for the white egret feathers the orioles had used in its construction.
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Bullock's Oriole Nest
(50 of 94) (37445 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Wednesday, May 28, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is the nest I referred to in my last blog. internal link
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Black Crowned Night Heron
(51 of 94) (39365 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Thursday, May 29, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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It's breeding season again for the Night Heronsinternal link and Snowy Egrets.internal link Here is a Heron settling a property dispute with his Egret neighbor.
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Crow
(52 of 94) (37795 views)

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(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Friday, May 30, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is not my typical bird photo. I usually prefer a close-up that reveals identifying marks of the species. But sometimes, you just get a cool shot.
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Mourning Dove
(53 of 94) (37829 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Sunday, June 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The shy Mourning Dove external link reveals some lovely colors.
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Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius)
(54 of 94) (37856 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Monday, June 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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My first day in the woods I heard woodpeckers external link but only glimpsed them from a distance. My second day was more successful and I saw several. Not close-up but close enough for a photo.
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Great Spotted Woodpecker
(55 of 94) (37881 views)

(2008) Karlsruhe, Germany
Photo Posted Wednesday, June 4, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This pair of woodpeckers stayed in the tops of very tall trees making them very hard to photograph. This shot has been cropped about 75%.

The Great Spotted external link is larger, with a longer bill than the Middle Spotted Woodpecker.internal link

Yes, there is a Lesser Spotted but I never saw one.

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Western Gull Chick (Larus occidentalis)
(56 of 94) (37537 views)

(2008) Alcatraz, California
Photo Posted Monday, June 9, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There is a large breeding colony of Western Gulls external link on the island which is fenced in for their protection. There were a couple of chicks near us and my husband was able to get their photo.
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Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
(57 of 94) (39247 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Sunday, June 15, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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A large fledgling appears mesmerized by the camera. external link
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Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
(58 of 94) (37848 views)

(2008) San Francisco Zoo, California
Photo Posted Friday, June 20, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Up close and personal with a curious ostrich. external link
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Chinese Crested
(59 of 94) (37561 views)

(2008) Treasure Island, California
Photo Posted Sunday, June 22, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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It's an odd looking animal, but it's like any other dog, really. external link
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Standard Poodle
(60 of 94) (37369 views)

(2008) Pride Parade, San Francisco
Photo Posted Tuesday, July 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Beautiful poodle external link with a decent haircut and a colorful back.
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Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
(61 of 94) (37750 views)

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(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California
Photo Posted Friday, August 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Earlier this year the cliff swallows external link were busy feeding their young under the eaves of the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center. external link
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Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
(62 of 94) (37890 views)

(2008) Union Square, San Francisco, California
Photo Posted Sunday, August 10, 2008
© 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons License
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I had no camera that day in Union Square. So I became the director of the photo shoot.

That means I said, "Honey, get a shot of that starling external link for me!" I'm not sure if I said please, but Bryan is always forgiving.

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Howler Monkey
(63 of 94) (37407 views)

(2008) Eastern Costa Rica
Photo Posted Wednesday, October 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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On our way to Tortuguero on the eastern coast, the guide spotted a family of howler monkeys in the trees next to the road. The van stopped and we got out to watch them. The noise the howlers make is thunderous and can be heard for miles. So when I finally saw them, I was surprised by how small they turned out to be. Barely two feet or so tall. external link
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20081003.jpg

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja, sometimes Ajaia ajaja)
(64 of 94) (37958 views)

internal link
(2008) River near Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Friday, October 3, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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On our boat trip to Turtle Beach Lodge external link we saw many Roseate Spoonbills external link feeding near the banks. When they feed, they move their heads rapidly back and forth in the shallow water, making them look very industrious and a bit silly.
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20081004.jpg

Long-nosed bat
(65 of 94) (37703 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Saturday, October 4, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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On a tour of the Canal of Palms, this was the first animal spotted by our guide. There were three of these tiny bats on the underside of a dead branch. How the guide even saw them was a mystery because they were perfectly camouflaged. The guide identified them as long-nosed bats.
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20081005.jpg

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
(66 of 94) (38121 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Sunday, October 5, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I have seen many black-crowned night heronsinternal link but this was the first yellow-crowned I'd ever seen. external link They reside in Costa Rica year round.
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20081006.jpg

Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
(67 of 94) (37918 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Monday, October 6, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This juvenile was perched directly across the canal from the adult bird I posted on this blog yesterday.internal link
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20081008.jpg

Gray-necked Wood-Rail (aramides cajanea)
(68 of 94) (38143 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Wednesday, October 8, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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We saw many wood rails external link and like the clapper rails, they are quite shy and quickly melt into the background as soon as they realize they are being noticed.
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20081009.jpg

Green Heron
(69 of 94) (37932 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Thursday, October 9, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Green herons external link are abundant in Costa Rica. We saw them on both coasts and in a preserve near the center of Costa Rica. It took me a while to remember their name however, because they are hardly green at all.
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Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
(70 of 94) (38117 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Friday, October 10, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This was the first Toucan external link I saw in Costa Rica. A keel-billed or Fruit Loops Toucan.
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20081011.jpg

Black River Turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea)
(71 of 94) (37432 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Saturday, October 11, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There are numerous Black River Turtles external link in the canals and rivers of Costa Rica. We stopped to view a caiman near the riverbank and this curious turtle came up to the boat. It was definitely used to people and was looking for a handout. Of course feeding the wildlife is frowned upon. It makes them dependent on humans and puts them at risk of disease and abuse.
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20081012.jpg

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
(72 of 94) (37720 views)

(2008) Cano de Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Sunday, October 12, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This prehistoric looking male Green Iguana appeared beautiful yet frightening. external link
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20081013.jpg

Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus)
(73 of 94) (37939 views)

(2008) Turtle Beach Lodge, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Monday, October 13, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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On my way breakfast I happened upon a hawk external link hunting near our room at the lodge. He had taken some small prey, yet he looked at me with little concern. A few seconds later he flew off.

The word plumbeous means leaden, dull. The hawk is half grey thereby clearly earning its name.

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20081014.jpg

Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)
(74 of 94) (37933 views)

(2008) Turtle Beach Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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A female basilisk external link showed up at breakfast looking for a handout of food scraps. The kitchen staff were pleased to see it and urged us to give it food. Not a good thing for the lizard but very entertaining for guests.
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20081015.jpg

Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus)
(75 of 94) (37426 views)

(2008) Turtle Beach Lodge, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Wednesday, October 15, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Unlike yesterday's bright green plumed basiliskinternal link, this brown one has a yellow stripe. Here the male shows off his crest. external link
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20081016.jpg

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
(76 of 94) (37670 views)

(2008) Turtle Beach Lodge, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Thursday, October 16, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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A caiman external link lived in the lodge marina and could almost always be seen hanging out in its far corner. We found out the marina staff were feeding it chicken scraps from the kitchen. I supppose feeding a caiman is much more exciting than feeding a stray dog or feral cat.
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20081017.jpg

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
(77 of 94) (37894 views)

internal link
(2008) Cano del Palma, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Friday, October 17, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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While canoeing to a nearby lagoon, we happened upon a flock of little blue herons taking flight. external link I originally thought the white one was another species but later discovered it did belong in the flock because it was a juvenile little blue heron.
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20081018.jpg

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
(78 of 94) (37972 views)

(2008) Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Saturday, October 18, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I saw this osprey external link dive into the river and come up with a fish. Unfortunately the image is not sharp because the boat was moving fast, the bird was far away and flying fast. I'm glad I at least got to see it.
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20081019.jpg

Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)
(79 of 94) (38111 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Sunday, October 19, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Our guide Jaime was very excited to see these migratory Jabiru external link because they were a very rare sight. Jabiru are storks which stand four and a half feet tall. The ones we saw were sedate and seemed to be resting in the shade.
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20081020.jpg

Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
(80 of 94) (37728 views)

internal link
(2008) Lomas del Volcan, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Monday, October 20, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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There were many of these toucans external link in the forest surrounding the volcano. They traveled in small flocks and were easily seen and heard.
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20081021.jpg

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
(81 of 94) (37810 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Sunday, October 19, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Wood storks external link are common in this area, unlike the Jabiru.internal link They aren't as tall as the Jabiru but equal them in their unusual appearance.
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20081022.jpg

Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)
(82 of 94) (37786 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Wednesday, October 22, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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We saw a lot of these solitary herons on the trip. external link Although it's called bare throated, you can't see that detail in this flying shot.
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20081023.jpg

Roseate Spoonbill
(83 of 94) (38088 views)

internal link and Great Egret
(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Thursday, October 23, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I was focusing my attention on the spoonbill but good lord! Look at the length of the neck on that egret!external link
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20081024.jpg

Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)
(84 of 94) (37828 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Friday, October 24, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20081024.jpg

This swallow external link is one of a pair we saw from the boat. They patiently remained perched for several minutes while everyone photographed them.
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20081025.jpg

Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)
(85 of 94) (37527 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Saturday, October 25, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20081025.jpg

On the bank was a gorgeous male basilisk.internal link Observe from the color change that he was still shedding his skin.
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20081026.jpg

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
(86 of 94) (37801 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Sunday, October 26, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20081026.jpg

Anhingas external link look a lot like cormorants. They differ in that they have straight not hooked bills, longer tails and necks, and have silver-white markings on their wings. This was a female. A male would have had a black neck.
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20081027.jpg

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
(87 of 94) (37824 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Monday, October 27, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The light color of this bird indicates that it is a juvenile. The adult of this bird is all black. Neotropic is the only species of cormorant that resides in Costa Rica. external link
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20081028.jpg

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
(88 of 94) (38191 views)

internal link
(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Little Blue external link was the prettiest heron I saw in Costa Rica. Its body was blue, the neck a purplish color and it always appeared very graceful. We saw them in every region we visited.
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20081029.jpg

Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
(89 of 94) (37946 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Wednesday, October 29, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The mangrove tour's pilot and guide were very supportive of our photographic efforts. This little bird external link either flew away as soon as the boat moved close, or hid invisibly in the bushes. Near the tours end, one bird thankfully stayed still long enough for me to get this photo.
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20081030.jpg

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
(90 of 94) (37498 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Thursday, October 30, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This poor Caiman external link probably wished he was invisible. As the boat came closer, he slowly moved from exposure on the mud bank and into the welcoming murky water.
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20081031.jpg

Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
(91 of 94) (37952 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Friday, October 31, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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You only need to glimpse the bill of this bird to know exactly why it is called boat-billed. external link
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20081101.jpg

Rufescent Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)
(92 of 94) (37990 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Saturday, November 1, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20081101.jpg

I knew at the time this was a Tiger Heron, but a kind I hadn't seen before. Later I identified it as Rufescent Tiger Heron, where rufescent simply means red. external link
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20081102.jpg

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)
(93 of 94) (37987 views)

(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Sunday, November 2, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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When the Jacanas external link fly they display bright yellow patches on their wings. Despite there being so many of them, we never got a shot of one flying

They are known for "walking on water", because their very long toes allow them to walk on floating vegetation. Unfortunately, the ones we saw were in the mud the whole time and so we never witnessed this behavior.

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Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii)
(94 of 94) (37959 views)

(2008) Arenal foothills, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Monday, November 3, 2008
© 2008 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#Costa_Rica

The only motmot seen on this trip appeared just after dawn. The tree in which it was perched was a favorite of several species. Unfortunately, the motmot's gorgeous colors were not visible from this angle, but the unique tail feathers were. external link
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