COSTA RICA Part 4 MIGUEL ANTONIO

Arrived at the Jungle Vista hotel mid afternoon to find we were billeted in the basement  like hobbits, but with a nice view of a big bamboo plant outside.Not to worry it was comfortable and there was a lift to get up to the dining room etc.

ROOM WITH A VIEW OF THE OLD BAMBOO

THE HOBBIT HOLE

We soon set off to find the Pacific Ocean,it was a steep descent to the beach, I was not looking forward to the ascent later.

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It was a pleasant sandy beach with a gentle surf rolling in and after a stroll and paddle at the waters edge we set off for the hotel.About half way up we were resting, hands on knees and blowing hard when a kind tourist mini bus guide asked if we wanted a lift-thankyou so much.

Later at dinner at the Carambola restaurant the owner told us to walk to the other end of the beach to get a bus or taxi back -very good advice.

Next morning we walked down to the beach again 

JUST LIKE THE WARREN.

HEADS OR TAILS

A CUNNING PLAN TO CONFUSE PREDATORS

RED BACKED SQUIRREL MONKEY

THE FOURTH MONKEY SPECIES OF THE TRIP

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WHITE PEACOCK

BLACK IGUANA

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BROWN PELICAN -His beak can hold more than his bellycan.

SHORE CRAB

HEAT ON THE BEACH

BEACH CRICKET 

Heeding the advice we had been given the night before, a taxi ride home was worth the 10 dollar fare,probably well ripped off ,but hey ho.

We had a guided walk booked the next day,it was Sunday, it seemed the whole of Costa Rica had turned out to walk with us.

Anyway we managed to see a few things 

DON`T PANIC DON`T PANIC

SPOTTED SANDPIPER SANS SPOTS.

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BROWN PELICAN

BROWN PELICAN

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER

RED LEGGED CRAB.

GREEN HERON

SPOTTED SANDPIPER

SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

COMMON PAURAQUE similar to the Nightjar.

BLUE MORPHO The underwing gives no clue to the electric blue of the upper wing an unforgettable and unmistakeable sight flitting through the forest flashing on and off like a bright blue beacon.

FRIGATE BIRDS AND BLACK VULTURE

FRIGATE BIRD

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GIANT RED WINGED GRASSHOPPER

JESUS CHRIST LIZARD SO NAMED AS IT CAN RUN ON WATER.

OUR GUIDE TAKING A BREAK FROM THE CROWDS

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SUNSET AT LE PAPILLON RESTAURANT

END OF PART 4

COSTA RICA Part 3 MONTEVERDE

 We are now up to nearly 5000 ft above sea level,the air is a bit thin and our afternoon hike left us  breathless but we did see a Resplendant Quexel.Jungle birding is not easy and photography can be very frustrating.

RESPLENDANT QUEXEL (female)Unfortunately we didnt see the male bird.

ADELPHA TRACTA

The only site we stayed at that had bird feeders

VIOLET SABREWING

Our guide here was another local lady who was very good at spotting birds but didnt understand oxygen deprivation at altitude.

CANT SEE THE BIRDS FOR THE TREES.

SLATE THROATED REDSTART

SLATE THROATED REDSTART.

TYPICAL BREAKFAST COSTA RICAN STYLE

COOL ENOUGH AT NIGHT TO HAVE A FIRE

Early breakfast birding at the feeders 

RED LEGGED HONEYCREEPER

BALTIMORE ORIOLE

MASKED TITYRA (female)

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MASKED TITYRA (male)

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BLUE CROWNED MOTMOT

RED LEGGED HONEYCREEPER

BALTIMORE ORIOLE

BALTIMORE ORIOLE

BALTIMORE ORIOLE.

The next reserve and a more understanding guide led to a pleasant morning.

EMERALD  TOUCANET

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YELLOW FACED GRASSQUIT

YELLOW FACED GRASSQUIT

SQUIRREL CUCKOO

BROWN JAY

A SECOND FEMALE RESPLENDANT QUEXEL

RUDDY WOODCREEPER

AGOUTI

WHITE FACED CAPPUCIN

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EMERALD TOUCANET

YELLOW THROATED EUPHONIA

VIOLET SABREWING

WHITE EARED GROUND SPARROW

RED LEGGED HONEYCREEPER

-RLHC

WHITE NOSED COATI

GREAT TAILED GRACKLE

GTG

RUFOUS CAPPED WARBLER

RCW

GLASSWING

MEXICAN SILVER SPOTTED FRITILLARY

All too soon it was time to move on, a three hour drive to the Pacific Coast.A pit stop on the way at a river crossing evidently famous for lots of crocs but we only saw 5.

CROCODILES ON THE WAY TO MIGUEL ANTONIO.