A Few Rain Drops

(242 views)
by Bryan Costales

A few rain drops hung off a tree in our back yard.

Looked To The Side

(222 views)
by Bryan Costales

Eleanor sat in her home in Bay Point, Clifornia and looked to one side.

In Conversation

(218 views)
by Bryan Costales

Benny in conversation with another in Eugene, Oregon.

The First

(218 views)
by Bryan Costales

The first snowdrop flowers bloomed under our backyard Tulip Tree.

Grew Wild

(216 views)
by Bryan Costales

The rosemary bush in our Monster raised garden bed, in the frontyard, grew wild.

Edged With Lavender

(214 views)
by Bryan Costales

The blooms on the hellebore, growing in the back corner of our yard, were edged in lavender.

Dirt Has Been Prepared

(212 views)
by Bryan Costales

Dirt has been prepared into three parallel rows for the future planting of corn and tomatoes.

Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)

(186 views)
by Terry Costales

Even the doves on the grounds of the hotel seemed exotic.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(185 views)
by Terry Costales

Everyone's favorite rodent, the Capybara! I have wanted to see one in the wild since I was 10 years old and first read about them in a library book. 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.

Mute Swan

(184 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(184 views)
by Terry Costales

As the boat approached the little cove where we going to snorkle, a brown pelican in juvenile plumage greeted us with wary boredom.

Macaws

(183 views)
by Terry Costales

Here are two Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) and a scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) 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.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(183 views)
by Terry Costales

Another capybara from the same family group as yesterday's posting. 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.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)

(182 views)
by Terry Costales

You aren't allowed to touch the animals, but I sure wanted to put this little fellow on my lap.

Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

(181 views)
by Terry Costales

If only our north american cities were populated with flocks of these beautiful Nicobar pigeons. I wouldn't object to them at all.

Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)

(181 views)
by Terry Costales

I only saw this Motmot 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 but in later research found it was unique.

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

I was told by the tour guide that this was a cattle egret 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.

Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

Cape Buffalo 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.

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

This little bird 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.

African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

This tortoise 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.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

Black Swan

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

Most of the birds and animals at Safari West were from Africa, but black swans come from Australia. This photo was taken just before sunset and the light was perfect.

Watusi cattle

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

You can't tell by this photo if this is a cow or steer. In Watusi cattle, both sexes have the large horns. Also, the leader of the herd is always female. (Isn't that how it should be?)

Long-nosed bat (Rhynchonycteris naso)

(180 views)
by Terry Costales

We saw a few of these little bats in Tortuguero 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 the . . .