Pura Vida, the Great Life Contunues....

The beach in Domanicalito...land of excellent smoothies!

Meanwhile, back in the warmth of Costa Rica...

This day was sort of a day off to rest and recuperate from the hiking and sweating in the forest primeval. And what did we do? Go to the beach along the pacific shore to dabble in the water...and sweat a little more. I discovered how out of shape I am this winter! I REALLY needed this day for a little rest. Ahhh, chillin' under a coconut tree...life really is "Pura Vida" down here!

Of course with Brian at the helm, a man who can't sit still for more than 30 seconds, and that's pushing it, we ended up  wandering through the jungle at the beaches edge and over a small river in search of gold...or birds...whichever...

Here's some more evidence that I wasn't in Ohio anymore!

Yep, still dealing with that birds from behind stuff...one these days I'll get it right...or not.

By the way, that's a black-hooded antshrike.

We saw hundreds of brown pelicans sailing and hunting fish over the ocean...or was it the same 12 every time? Hmmm...

Yeah, I know, he's out of focus...actually that's one of their defense mechanisms. Honest.

This is a flower...with ants. Yep.

In case you were wondering, yes indeed, this is another flower. You can find flowers here...in FEBRUARY!

This is Bob. Bob is a great-tailed grackle...and he followed us. Good dancer too by the way...

This crabby crab is a hermit crab that was feeling crabby.

 

Now here's a raptor, and I'm stumped on what he is. He looks like a juvenile with that much barring and he has a full crop. 

Hunting at the forest edge must be good!

 Brian makes a great bird spotter, he saw the raptor and this red-naped woodpecker before me...I was still watching Bob the grackle dancing...

 

Just like home! A bird I know, a spotted sandpiper in his winter home!

 He was hunting along the rivers edge and caught something tasty!

Zoom in!

 

 I knew I wasn't home anymore when we saw this variegated squirrel...a coat of many colors! 

 

Well, back to the real world...until next week when I post more of my adventures in Costa Rica!

 

Costa Rica...the Adventure Continues...

Hey! That's me on the whales tail!

Hello again from Costa Rica! We took a couple trip today, we'll start with a visit to Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. Great beaches and scenery abound here. We spent time just chilling on the beach, then Brian and I wandered out to the Whales Tail. When the tide is low the area where I'm standing above becomes visible and it's shaped like a whales tail! This appropriately named area is the best place to see Humpback whales during their breeding season, no whales today but we did spot a few dolphins waaaay off shore. Along with the beach area, there are hiking trails through the lowland rainforest and a mangrove estuary, which we'll see more of soon! 

If you get to visit this beach...beware of falling coconuts! Ha! They missed me!

Just like at home! A spotted sandpiper at the edge of the mangrove estuary.

  

 The ever present great-tailed grackle...they we the most numerous bird we saw.

 Earlier in the day, yes, I'm out of order...again...oh well, you'll get over it...anyway...earlier we went to visit the Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary ( https://www.alturaswildlifesanctuary.org/ ). They're a great rescue and rehabilitation organization. Their main goal is the recovery and release of wildlife back to their native habitat. They have a 24/7 vet clinic and great volunteers to help the animals they receive. Some animals have suffered road strikes, abuse and domestication. They provide a great haven for the animals that can't be re-released into the wild.

They also provide education to local children and visitors like us!

 

 All cuddled up in his hidey hole is an northern tamandua, a type of anteater, very shy...

 

 This black-mandibled toucan, though they called a yellow-throated toucan, can no longer fly and is a permanent resident.

 Another black-mandibled toucan, but a free flying visitor!

 

 What happy little teeth you have!

This is a collared peccary I forget his name, but I'll call him Gregory...Gregory Peck-ory...ha...sorta...

 

Speaking of shiny teeth, they also have a crocodile.

This yellow-naped Parrot is named Lora, usually very talkative, like most females, she stopped talking while I was there...

Did you know, they can up to 60 years in captivity?! 

 

 

 Unfortunately they have several yellow-naped parrots that can't be released into the wild.

 

 

 This is Lapa, one of the two scarlet macaws they have.

People should NOT have these as pets

 

Spiderman! No...it's a spider monkey at least as agile in the trees as Spiderman!

This white-faced capuchin looks so sad and innocent, but he loves to throw things and splash water at anyone that nears his enclosure!

 

That's all for today! I have plenty more to share so stay tuned!
 

Looking for the Beaver at the Beaver Marsh...

 A day without a Song Sparrow is a day without sunshine...

...And this past Sunday starting out looking stormy, had some bright sunny patches, started looking gloomy, had some bright sunny patches...and so on. In other words typical weather for north east Ohio. To play it safe and ensure the weather would be great for the other Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitors, I brought the rain cover for my camera. Works every time.

So...anyway...the beavers at the beaver marsh. Remember how I was searching for northern river otters for so long? Well this is the place where I finally saw an otter...for a couple of seconds. The beavers dam has been pointed out to me numerous times, after which a scowl appears on my face. Then someone points out a "beaver" right in front of us...it's a muskrat. "Are you sure? looks like a beaver..." Nope, it's a muskrat. "Well, I don't know..." I do, it's a muskrat. The beavers are hiding with the otters. "my, my...you're kinda cranky..." Shut up and leave me alone to sulk...

I don't understand why folks don't want to be my friend...

 WOW! It's an Orange-breasted Ground Thrush in a tree!

(I can call them anything I want! It's my blog!)

 A pair of very nice ladies walked past and asked if there had been any Bald Eagles sighted recently.

Uh...as soon as you leave I'm sure one will arrive.

And presto...

 Excuse me, Mr. Snek...there's a bug on your beak.

 For some reason folks flip out when I point out the Black Racer that's basking a few feet from them.

Snakes are good!

I'll admit I like watching people jump and run.

 This is a Blue Dasher dragonfly I'm posting for my brother Phil cause he hates bugs.

You're welcome! When's dinner?

 Besides, it's an insect not a bug. There's a difference.

 This Common Grackle picked an appropriate spot to chill out on.

It adds to his spookiness.

 Eastern Kingbird booty!

 A Gray Catbird singing his happy little ditty.

 A Gray Catbird displeased with me singing along.

 A Pterodactyl landing in the marsh.

 I think he may have landed on the Bittern I was trying to find.

 I like when big birds like Great Blue Herons are so close I have to back up to get a shot!

No cropping needed...

 You know your scratched the right itch when your hair stands up.

 The fearsome Green Heron in full stalking mode...

 And a mighty lunge and strike at an unaware little innocent fishy.

 And no fish, just a mouth full of water and duck weed.

Better luck next time...

 Okay, everybody say "Awwww!"

Little fuzzy Mallard!

 Poor Midland Painted Turtle...his front feet don't touch.

I think he got high centered on this log...call AAA for a tow...

 He later got off and didn't think my joke was funny.

You probably didn't either...

 This Mourning Dove looks innocent...until he poops on your car.

 I love hearing the Northern Cardinals singing back and forth.

 Once again, my whistling along was not appreciated.

 Oh dear, this Red-bellied Woodpecker is going to have a very sore neck!

I hope that snack was worth the effort.

 This poor Red-tailed Hawk was just chillin' out minding his own business...

A gang of Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds were dive bombing him...

 He finally gave in.

 There were quite a few Silver-spotted Skippers working along the wildflowers.

 If you would have stayed in the nest, you'd be eating a juicy dragonfly right now.

But, nooo...you have to be a big bird and leave the nest early...

 And there's a few of his siblings now...still one hiding in the nest waiting for a free meal.

 Getting ready for a hot date...gotta check for a nice fresh smell...

 Tree Swallows are just amazing to watch in the sunshine!

 The water lilies are starting to bloom!

 Mrs. Wood Duck and two of the kids relaxing by the pool.

 Mrs- Wood Duck has a bad temper and wants me to leave...fine, I'll leave...

 Another one wonders why I keep staring at them...

It was a great day even if I didn't see that non-existent beaver.

Maybe next time...

Stay tuned!