2009
Animalblog by Terry Costales
The daily animal world as seen by Terry Costales from Costa Rica through the Amazon Jungle, Peru.
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Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
(1 of 74) (24813 views)

(2008) Lomas Del Volcan, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Monday, February 2, 2009
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I don't really know why. I suppose planning a trip to the Amazon has me re-energized!

These hummingbirds were the most numerous of all the hummingbirds I saw in Costa Rica. They were present at Turtle Beach Lodge on the East coast and in the central highlands on those hotel grounds. external link

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Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
(2 of 74) (25624 views)

Fortuna, Costa Rica
(Photo Posted Thursday 1 January 2009)
(Photo taken Friday 12 September 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Even the doves external link on the grounds of the hotel seemed exotic.
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Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
(3 of 74) (24564 views)

internal link
(2008) Lomas del Volcan, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Tuesday, February 3, 2009
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is another shot of a Collared Aracariinternal link which I thought was merely another Toucan until I later researched it.

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Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)
(4 of 74) (24614 views)

(2009) Quepos, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Wednesday, February 4, 2009
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I only saw this Motmot external link once and briefly. It flew away right after this photo was taken. I originally thought it was the same type of Motmot I had seen in Arenal internal link but in later research found it was unique.
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Female duck in reflected light
(5 of 74) (24237 views)

(2009) Emeryville, California
Photo Posted Thursday, February 5, 2009
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The duck in this photo swam into some gorgeously colored reflections. I believe it's a female Goldeneye. The point of this photo however, has more to do with its the overall look than it has with identifying the bird.
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Brahman Cattle (Bos primigenius indicus)
(6 of 74) (24643 views)

(2008) Canal near Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Friday, February 6, 2009
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The many Brahman cattle external link in Costa Rica are worshipped, but only for their superb flavor.
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Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
(7 of 74) (24498 views)

(2009) Quepos, Costa Rica
Photo Posted Saturday, February 7, 2009
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Throughout the trip, the brown boobies external link were too distant to be photographed, even from a boat. I felt lucky to photograph this one while the boat sped past it in the rain.

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Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
(8 of 74) (26238 views)

Quepos, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Sunday, 8 February 2009)
(Photo taken 09:35:20 Wednesday 17 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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As the boat approached the little cove where we going to snorkle, a brown pelican external link in juvenile plumage greeted us with wary boredom.
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White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica)
(9 of 74) (24218 views)

near Quepos, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Sunday 8 February 2009)
(Photo taken 12:11:18 Tuesday 16 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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While traveling from the Arenal region to the Pacific coast, our guide spotted a large group of coati external link foraging on a grass berm next to the road. The bus pulled over so we could observe them, but this caused them to retreat into the nearby jungle. Fortunately, I got a photo of the last one just before he disappeared.
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Halloween crab (Gecarcinus quadratus)
(10 of 74) (24396 views)

Manuel Antonio Park, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Sunday 8 February 2009)
(Photo taken 07:40:44 Thursday 18 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Our guide in Costa Rica called these Rainbow Crabs, external link but back home online I found they were called Halloween crabs. Quite numerous and their colors are amazing! They were up to 3 inches across and not at all intimidated by us gawkers.
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Toad
(11 of 74) (24222 views)

Manuel Antonio Park, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Wednesday 11 February, 2009)
(Photo taken 07;26:57 Thursday 18 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I took a photo of this very large but attractive toad. I can't identify it, but if you can please let me know.
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Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis)
(12 of 74) (24518 views)

Monteverde, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Thursday 12 February 2009)
(Photo taken 04:44:36 Monday 15 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The most challenging photos to take are of the little garden birds. external link They are not as spectacular looking as Toucans or Motmots but capturing a shot of one is just as satisfying.
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American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
(13 of 74) (24343 views)

Tárcoles River, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Friday 13 February 2009)
(Photo taken 11:12:14 Tuesday 16 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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To look down upon a dozen or more basking crocodiles external link in the wild can be surreal. This one rested with mouth open to prevent overheating, because crocodiles cannot sweat.
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Dog
(14 of 74) (24320 views)

Arco Iris Lodge, Monteverde, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Saturday 14 February 2009)
(Photo taken 04:58:41 Monday 15 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This was one of the two resident dogs who lived on the grounds of the Arco Iris Lodge in Monteverde. external link He was very large and of course friendly. What else would one expect from a place whose name meant "Rainbow."
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Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
(15 of 74) (24536 views)

Road to Tortuguero, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Saturday 14 February 2009)
(Photo taken 08:18:20 Monday 8 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This little bird external link was one of the first I photographed when in Costa Rica. We had just stopped at the Del Monte banana plantation where I found the bird perched on a nearby wire.
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Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)
(16 of 74) (24702 views)

Hummingbird Garden, Bosque Nuboso de Monteverde
(Monteverde Cloud Forest) Costa Rica
(Photo posted Saturday 14 February 2009)
(Photo taken 09:34:26 Sunday 14 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Dozens of hummingbirds external link zoomed in and out of the viewing area to visit the the feeders that hung there.
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Long-nosed bat (Rhynchonycteris naso)
(17 of 74) (24979 views)

Cáno Negro, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Saturday 14 February 2009)
(Photo taken 09:46:43 Thursday 11 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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We saw a few of these little bats in Tortuguerointernal link at the beginning of our trip. After that we journeyed to the Arenal region and signed up for another boat tour in Cáno Negro during which we saw many more of them.

The guide on the second trip told us these little bats lined up to resemble a poisonous snake. They remain motionless until threatened, then wiggle their bodies and that motion re-inforces their masquerade act. As our boat drifted close to observe them that was exactly what they did! The boat, of course, backed off right away because we didn't want to upset these little guys any further. external link

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Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis)
(18 of 74) (24315 views)

Manuel Antonio Park, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Thursday 19 February 2009)
(Photo taken 07:24:08 Thursday 18 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The woodpecker external link shown here was very high up on a tree. But despite the distance, I did manage to get a few usable photos. The pale-billed woodpecker is closely related to the possibly extinct ivory-billed woodpecker. external link
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Spider
(19 of 74) (24153 views)

Manuel Antonio Park, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Friday 20 February 2009)
(Photo taken 07:58:44 Thursday 18 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Here is a nice close-up of a large Costa Rican spider.external link I kept my distance while taking the shot and I care not what kind it is.
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White-faced Capuchin Monkeys
(20 of 74) (24172 views)

Mangrove tour, Quepos, Costa Rica
(Photo posted Tuesday 24 February 2009)
(Photo taken 01:54:18 Thursday 18 September, 2008)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Little white-faced monkeys external link came down to the canal bank where they searched for crabs to eat. Our guide let the boat drift close. The monkeys proved to be as curious about us as we were about them.
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Giraffe
(21 of 74) (24449 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Thursday 26 February 2009)
(Photo taken 10:31:46 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The Giraffes at Safari West external link were accustomed to people ogling them. This giraffe ogled right back. What a goofy ogle!

Safari West held two kinds of giraffes, the reticulated external link and the masai. external link Reticulated giraffes have almost-white lines between large blocks of color. Masai giraffes have more leafy shaped spots and the space between them is light tan.

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Black Swan
(22 of 74) (24263 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Friday 27 February 2009)
(Photo taken 05:05:08 Friday 20 February 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Most of the birds and animals at Safari West were from Africa, but black swans external link come from Australia.

This photo was taken just before sunset and the light was perfect.

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Watusi cattle
(23 of 74) (24417 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Saturday 28 February 2009)
(Photo taken 10:56:54 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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You can't tell by this photo if this is a cow or steer. In Watusi cattle, both sexes have the large horns. external link Also, the leader of the herd is always female. (Isn't that how it should be?)internal link
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African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)
(24 of 74) (26005 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Tuesday 3 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:36:41 Saturday 21 February 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#Santa_Rosa

This tortoise external link was only about a foot long but may grow to be three feet long and a couple of hundred pounds.

He seemed alert and happy and was savagely attacking his lawn.

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Flamingo
(25 of 74) (24273 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Wednesday 4 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:36:41 Friday 20 February 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Oh the unlikely and improbable flamingo. external link I see one and think "Curioser and curioser," and of course, "Let's play croquet." external link
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Black-necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus)
(26 of 74) (24558 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Thursday 5 March 2009)
(Photo taken 01:02:54 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The male swan, or cobb, in this photo was swimming endlessly in the moat surrounding the ring-tailed lemurs. His mate was nesting on the island in her own little house. external link

Black-necked swans are not from Africa, but South America. Sadly, Africa does not have any indigenous species of swans at all.

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Mute Swan
(27 of 74) (25247 views)

Mute Swan external link
(Cygnus olor)
Safari West external link
Sonoma County external link, California
(Date Photographed: 09:37:40 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
(Date Published: Friday 6 March 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The swan may look graceful and elegant, but his raised wings actually tell onlookers that this is his territory and don't even think about coming any closer.

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Ring-tailed Lemur
(28 of 74) (24391 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Saturday 7 March 2009)
(Photo taken 01:00:00 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The lemur has a very, very long tail and is officially one of the cutest animals in the world.
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Ring-tailed Lemur
(29 of 74) (24380 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Sunday 8 March 2009)
(Photo taken 05:13:53 Friday 20 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This photo was taken in late afternoon light. The colors and blurred effect more than make up for perfect focus of a stop-motion shot.
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White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
(30 of 74) (24541 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Monday 9 March 2009)
(Photo taken 08:21:01 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The whistling duck external link does just that. He emits a series of short whistling sounds instead of the expected quacks.
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Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
(31 of 74) (24756 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Tuesday 10 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:54:25 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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In the wild, the ibis external link gets its color from eating red crabs and algae. In captivity, its diet has to contain similar ingredients or it will lose the red color.
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Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)
(32 of 74) (24347 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Wednesday 11 March 2009)
(Photo taken 15:54:50 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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You aren't allowed to touch the animals, but I sure wanted to put this little fellow on my lap. external link
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Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
(33 of 74) (24195 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Thursday 12 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:55:56 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This handsome bird is a ruddy shelduck. external link I didn't observe any unusual behavior, they just looked nice.
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Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus)
(34 of 74) (25983 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Friday 13 March 2009)
(Photo taken 09:47:57 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I forgot to ask why the Red River Hog external link was not on display. It was in a pen in the staff-only area. Fortunately, we passed that pen as we came back from our morning hike and I grabbed this shot over a rather high fence.
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White Rhinocerous (Ceratotherium simum)
(35 of 74) (24228 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Saturday 14 March 2009)
(Photo taken 09:41:29 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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A pair of white rhinos eating together. external link
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Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana)
(36 of 74) (24294 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Monday 16 March 2009)
(Photo taken 10:24:52 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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According to our guide, as soon as Safari West got their first few ibex external link they disappeared from the barn where they were being kept. The ibex couldn't be found anywhere. Then someone remembered how high ibex could jump and went back to the barn to look again. Sure enough, there they were high up in the rafters!
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Zebra (Equus quagga)
(37 of 74) (25187 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Tuesday 17 March 2009)
(Photo taken 11:28:21 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The only Zebra external link we saw was this one, who hadn't been raised with other zebras so instead hung out with a group of Roan antelope. The rest of the Safari West zebras had found a "private" place on the property that was not visible from tour cars. As a consequence those other Zebra were rarely seen.
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Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
(38 of 74) (24272 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Wednesday 18 March 2009)
(Photo taken 11:38:31 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This is a young male Waterbuck. external link Its youth is evident because his horns haven't grown to full size yet.
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Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
(39 of 74) (24368 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Thursday 19 March 2009)
(Photo taken 11:50:16 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Cape Buffalo external link have a reputation for violent aggression so many game preserves won't stock them. According to our guide, buffalo are only aggressive during breeding season or when they have small calves. During those times Safari West keeps their touring cars a respectful distance away which successfully avoids the problem.
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Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah)
(40 of 74) (24276 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Friday 20 March 2009)
(Photo taken 11:56:35 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Scimitar Oryx external link are reportedly extinct in the wild. Unfortunately, their beautiful horns have been more valuable than the animal itself, especially to greedy and idiotic wild game hunters.
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African Spoonbill (Platalea alba)
(41 of 74) (24470 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Saturday 21 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:49:55 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The angle of this photo reveals the unusually shaped bill in detail. Unlike the pink Roseate Spoonbillsinternal link we saw in Costa Rica, these African Spoonbills are white. external link
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Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
(42 of 74) (24527 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Sunday 22 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:48:47 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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I was told by the tour guide that this was a cattle egret external link in breeding plumage. However, the colored plumes on a cattle egret are buff whereas this individual had smoky grey plumes. So either it is not a cattle egret or perhaps a subspecies.
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Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
(43 of 74) (24560 views)

Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Monday 23 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:51:35 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Unlike the show stopping color of the Scarlet Ibisinternal link, the Sacred Ibis shuns the glamour for the sophisticated black and white look. external link
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Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)
(44 of 74) (25841 views)

Animalblog internal link Pigeon Collection
Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Tuesday 24 March 2009)
(Photo taken in 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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If only our north american cities were populated with flocks of these beautiful Nicobar external link pigeons. I wouldn't object to them at all.

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White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
(45 of 74) (24691 views)

internal link
Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
(Photo posted Monday 23 March 2009)
(Photo taken 12:52:37 Saturday 21 February, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The bustard external link was the friendliest bird in the aviary. He would walk up to anyone at all and pose nicely.
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3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
(46 of 74) (25769 views)

Amazon jungle, Peru
(Photo posted Friday 12 June 2009)
(Photo taken 04:21:28 Wednesday April 8, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#Toed_Sloth

I know this is a male 3-toed sloth because I also got some photos of his back which had the distinctive male marking. external link We were very lucky on this day and saw several sloths fairly close up and most were actually moving.

By contrast, in Costa Rica we saw a few sloths but each one looked like a large ball of moss.

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3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
(47 of 74) (24928 views)

Amazon jungle, Peru
(Photo posted Friday 12 June 2009)
(Photo taken 04:21:28 Wednesday April 8, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#On_Back

This photo shows the distinctive markings on the backs of all male 3-toed sloths.internal link
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Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis)
(48 of 74) (24451 views)

Amazon River near Iquitos, Peru
(Photo posted Tuesday 24 November 2009)
(Photo taken 11:33:40 Sunday 5 April 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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The first day of the river cruise and we were just south of Iquitos on the Amazon. Someone spotted dolphins ahead of us and we had a great time watching them leap in and out of the brown water. I was extremely lucky to catch this one in mid-air.

We were told they were River Dolphins but after research it seems more likely it was a Tucuxi (pronounced too-koo-shi).external link

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Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis)
(49 of 74) (24463 views)

Amazon River near Iquitos, Peru
(Photo posted Saturday 28 November, 2009)
(Photo taken 10:33:39 Sunday 05 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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This photo was taken less than one second after the one I posted the day before yesterday.internal link Thank you Nikon.
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Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
(50 of 74) (26435 views)

Jungle Expeditions Camp, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Sunday 29 November, 2009)
(Photo taken 01:07:27 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
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Everyone's favorite rodent, the Capybara! internal link I have wanted to see one in the wild since I was 10 years old and first read about them in a library book. external link

I saw a large family group of about 5 adults and many young ones. Looking like guinea pigs on steroids they still managed to be adorable.

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Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
(51 of 74) (25379 views)

Jungle Expeditions Camp, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Monday 30 November, 2009)
(Photo taken 01:06:17 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091130.jpg

Another capybara from the same family group as yesterday's posting.internal link The staff from the Camp put out piles of leaves near the shore of a lake on their property. This tempted the capybaras to come close enough to be seen from the little boats we were in.internal link

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3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
(52 of 74) (25121 views)

Amazon jungle, Peru
(Photo posted Tuesday 1 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 06:07:52 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#Soaking_Wet

We were in our skiff and someone spotted this soaking wet sloth climbing a tree. In the wet season the water goes much farther inland and the sloths must swim from tree to tree instead of walk.

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20091202_Three_Toed_Sloth_Still_Climbing.jpg

3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
(53 of 74) (25223 views)

Amazon jungle, Peru
(Photo posted Wednesday 2 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 06:40:23 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#Still_Climbing

This photo was taken about a half an hour after we first saw this wet sloth.internal link He was still climbing which was not surprising because he was a sloth after all.

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20091203.jpg

Spider Monkey (Cebidae Ateles)
(54 of 74) (24443 views)

Jungle Expeditions Hotel, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Friday 27 November 2009)
(Photo taken 10:47:21 Thursday 9 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091203.jpg

The trees around the Hotel were at times filled with monkeys external link which were high overhead and never still. The bane of a nature photographers' existence.

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20091204.jpg

Monkey
(55 of 74) (24102 views)

Jungle Expeditions Hotel, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Friday 4 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 09:02:39 Thursday 9 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091204.jpg

The monkeys were also on the hotel itself as well as in the trees.internal link This isn't a spider monkey although I don't know what kind it is. If anyone knows please comment below.

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20091205.jpg

Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
(56 of 74) (24171 views)

Jungle Expeditions Hotel, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Saturday 5 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 09:05:05 Thursday 9 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091205.jpg

This little squirrel monkey external link was scampering everywhere over our heads. He would jump down to the ground, then leap back up and run. Then he would start all over again. boundless energy with very entertaining mischief!

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20091206.jpg

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
(57 of 74) (24284 views)

Amazon river, Peru
(Photo posted Sunday 6 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 02:16:03 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091206.jpg

This is a very young green iguana hiding in a green tree. When I first looked I saw nothing but green leaves but after focusing I started spotting many of these little guys.

They start off cute but grow into some grotesque looking creatures.internal link

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20091207.jpg

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus)
(58 of 74) (24394 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Monday 7 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 04:42:22 Monday 6 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091207.jpg

I saw many of these impressive birds external link during my week in the Amazon and this is the closest I got to one. I was in a skiff with a dozen other people and we motored slowly along the shoreline spotting wildlife.

We saw at least 20 different species of birds and animals in one outing and we went on at least two outings a day so we saw a riches of wildlife in that short week. And it was hot, oh so very hot.

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20091208.jpg

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus)
(59 of 74) (24559 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Tuesday 8 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 04:43:25 Monday 6 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091208.jpg

This is another photo of the vulture I posted yesterday.internal link

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20091209.jpg

Oropendola Nests
(60 of 74) (24493 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Wednesday 9 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 11:40:17 Sunday 5 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091209.jpg

The Oropendola external link nest in large colonies and their woven baskets provide a wonderful photo op. I have many good pictures of their nests but not one decent one of the bird itself.

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20091210.jpg

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)
(61 of 74) (24519 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Thursday 10 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 01:00:11 Monday 6 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091210.jpg

I took many photos of this flycatcher external link and this was the only one that turned out to be even close to being in focus. It didn't sit still very long and the boat I was in moved constantly and that was a tough combination. When I finally took this good picture I felt I had really managed to accomplish something.

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20091211.jpg

Canary-winged Parakeet
(62 of 74) (24512 views)

Amazon, Peru
(Photo posted Friday 11 December 2009)
(Photo taken 04:03:57 Monday 6 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091211.jpg

Little green parakeets, about 9 inches long, perched in a green jungle. external link This species is very wide spread in South America.

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20091214.jpg

Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)
(63 of 74) (24568 views)

internal link
Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Monday 14 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 04:46:14 Monday 6 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091214.jpg

I think the eye stripe gives this bird a very dashing appearance. external link

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20091215.jpg

Butterfly
(64 of 74) (24202 views)

Jungle Expeditions Hotel, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Tuesday 15 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 05:22:08 Wednesday April 8, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091215.jpg

I found these two small blue butterflies in a screened outdoor butterfly exhibit. I can't identify them, but I believe these are called "pretty".

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20091216.jpg

Ringed Woodpecker
(65 of 74) (24601 views)

Ringed Woodpecker
Amazon River, Peru
(Photo Taken 17:35:26 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
(Photo Posted Wednesday 16 December, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091216.jpg

This photo is of a beautiful, lively woodpecker we saw from the skiff. A very Woody Woodpecker shaped head.

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20091217.jpg

White-eared Jacamar
(66 of 74) (24532 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Thursday 17 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 05:51:24 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091217.jpg

I had never even heard of a Jacamar, external link let alone seen one, before my trip to the Amazon in April.

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20091218.jpg

White-tailed Trogon
(67 of 74) (24458 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Friday 18 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 05:54:20 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091218.jpg

This Trogon external link is a gorgeous bird and I'm pretty certain it's a White-tailed Trogon. Unfortunately the front of the bird has most of the identifying marks and I only saw it from the back.

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20091219.jpg

Great Egret
(68 of 74) (26281 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Saturday 19 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 06:28:09 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091219.jpg

A bird in flight against an overcast sky framed by jungle trees. A memorable moment.

Angela Beske, Tuesday 5 January 2010

I just wanted you to know that I chose this most wonderful photo as the background of my work desk top: I looked at a lot of your photos in the past half hour.. it was not an easy choice!! This one worked best because I can see my short cuts on the dark back ground on the bottom-. Thank YOU!!!!!

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20091220.jpg

Cream-colored Woodpecker
(69 of 74) (24542 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Sunday 20 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 06:51:50 Wednesday, 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091220.jpg

I had never seen a woodpecker in colors other than black and white and red. So it was quite a surprise to see this gorgeous "blonde"! external link

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20091221.jpg

Monkey
(70 of 74) (24156 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Monday 21 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 12:56:09 Wednesday, 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091221.jpg

The name of the game is find the monkey. I didn't even know I had this shot until I was home a week later. It pays to look at those blurred photos before you delete.

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20091222.jpg

La Turmalina
(71 of 74) (24321 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Tuesday 22 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 03:51:16 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091222.jpg

This is the boat internal link on which we toured the Amazon. The crew were wonderfully helpful and knowledgeable. It was our second GAP (Great Adventure People) external link tour and we weren't disappointed.

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20091227.jpg

Macaws
(72 of 74) (25570 views)

Jungle Expeditions Hotel, Marañon River, Peru
(Photo posted Sunday 27 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 09:00:04 Thursday 9 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091227.jpg

Here are two Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) external link and a scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) external link perched on top of their outdoor aviary on the hotel grounds. They were free to come and go as they pleased and a couple of them were high overhead in the trees.

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20091228.jpg

Cream-colored Woodpecker (Celeus flavus)
(73 of 74) (24399 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Monday 28 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 06:52:25 Wednesday 8 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#20091228.jpg

I think this is one of the handsomest birds I saw in the Amazon. external link Not flashy but splendid.

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20091231_Yellow_Flowers_Amazon_Peru.jpg

Flowers
(74 of 74) (24564 views)

Amazon River, Peru
(Photo posted Thursday 31 December, 2009)
(Photo taken 08:06:05 Thursday 9 April, 2009)
© 2009 Terry Costales Creative Commons License
#Amazon_Peru

The boat was tied up next to these cheerful yellow flowers. I don't know what kind they are but appreciate their existence.

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