The Arenal Lodge provides fresh fruit pieces two or three times a day for the local birds to enjoy – but not TOO much or TOO often, lest birds become dependent on ‘hand-outs’. This male Yellow-throated Euphonia and his friends were looking a little forlorn at first when they didn’t see any treats laid out for them in […]
Author Archives: Birder's Journey
Bananaquits are unique, busy little birds. Their classification is debated and it is now generally agreed that the Bananaquit belongs to its own family (FatBirder). We saw them often, forgaging among the shrubbery for flower nectar, fruits, and insects (Birds of Costa Rica, p. 324).These common residents of Costa Rica were frequent visitors to the gardens next to […]
We left the rainforest at Arenal Observatory Lodge and headed for the Pacific Ocean beaches for a few days. Enjoyed a quiet morning beach and sunset at Playa Carillo.Next we drove through the countryside and over the mountains – Coffee country!Our last stop was this incredible oasis a short distance from the airport, Hotel Bougainvillea, […]
Just a few iPhone shots from our awesome 3-night stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge in Costa Rica 🇨🇷. Many thanks to our terrific guide, Christian, for teaching us so much – and for taking several shots with my phone through his spotting scope!
Great Blue Herons work diligently on building their new nests at this time of year, spending much of their day collecting and adding branches.I watched as Mr. GBH flew off to the woods, looking for just the right branch. He thought about taking this long, bulky stick back to the nest, but later decided against it in favor […]
This quiet little Green Heron stood almost perfectly still in the shadows. He was barely noticeable and never stirred from this spot. Only his head moved. I assumed he had one leg tucked under his body, as these birds often do. But it’s also possible that he was missing a limb. I’ve always been amazed by how […]
Two very charming White Pelicans were sunning themselves on a sand bar one day . . .. . . preening and looking quite lovely. . . . . . older on the left, younger on the right. When all of a sudden, a newcomer flew in and landed right on their sandbar. Hmmmm . . . […]
This thoughtful Wood Stork‘s shaggy appearance makes him look like a wise old bird. But his pale, pinkish beak, and gray neck and head feathers, tell us that he is a juvenile, and distinguish him from older Wood Storks, who have dark bills and bald, scaly heads (see the ID section on All About Birds – Wood Stork)The […]
iBird Plus describes the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher’s vocalization as “a distinctive, whining ‘pzzzz’ with a nasal quality”, and that’s exactly how I knew this little fellow was nearby.I was looking the other way when I heard that unmistakable squeaky call. I turned around was treated to the sight of this diminutive Gnatcatcher hopping about in full view!Gnatcatchers are non-stop foragers, […]
We encountered a lovely little group of Roseate Spoonbills the other day. This one scarcely lifted his head to look around before digging in again to gulp down some more brunch.Once the Spoonbill turned to face me directly, I couldn’t help but notice his girth (combined with the green duckweed clinging to his bill!). Now, […]
Birder's Journey 