Today we awoke to the sound of rain but for Costa Rica and the rainforest this is not unusual. It usually rains overnight. This rain did not let up. One could not even see the massive mountain/volcano in front of the deck this morning, the mist and clouds were so low. It rained pretty well all morning and into the afternoon. It only cleared up around 3 pm.
We started birding here at Arsenal at 5:45 am. We drove on the property to the butterfly and garden area and we had lovely looks at the Scaly-backed Hummingbird, the Woodstar and the Brown Violetear Hummers. We watched in the rain as these little birds went from one Verbena blossom to the next. The rain poured. We went for breakfast and then we drove down the mountain to Sanersos Boganin and the feeders there. We were sheltered on the deck so it was a good idea to visit this place. They even made us fresh coffee here. We had the Grayish Saltator, the Buff-throated Saltator and Hoffman's Woodpecker to name a few birds. It continued to rain but at the same time the feeders were filled and everyone was cozy.
The Grey-headed Chachalacas seemed to be acting like lovebirds today.
This was the White-throated Crake that came out of the bushes to feed in front of us at the feeders today (bottom of the mountain). Isn't this pretty! It is really hard to get a good photo as the birds move so quickly even thought they are walking on the ground.
We returned to Arsenal Observatory Lodge and had lunch. It continued to pour and we had a break until 2:45 pm. I got a couple of things ironed since I borrowed an iron from the Front Desk. Emily keeps teasing me about the ironing but my clothes are wrinkled out of the suitcase!! I even had a half hour nap and fell asleep listening to the rain.
The sun finally came out and we only had a few showers in the later afternoon. Out we went in the minibus again.
For the afternoon we went down the mountain again and hiked the Old Road to the Dam which will become a National Park in a couple of years. The road was dirt, rock and muddy in sections but still pretty good. This area is heavily treed and has lots of bushes and has lots of birds hiding in the bushes but only a few were willing to come out.
These birds were along the road down from the mountain. Red-lored Parrots.
We birded here until 5:20 pm which allowed us to make to happy hour. Our best bird this afternoon, according to our guide was the Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet. It is a very small bird which has a very vibrant yellow belly. Again we had a big supper - the food is very good and the portions are really big. We ended the day, doing two days of bird lists and now we are just chilling and on our computers. Tomorrow morning is another early morning start.
This was Toucan that visited the trees overlooking the deck of Arsenal. The Chestnut-mandibled Toucan.
Sami & Lynne are also enjoying the trip and Sami has taken thousands of photos!
Barb, Emily, Sami & Lynne
We started birding here at Arsenal at 5:45 am. We drove on the property to the butterfly and garden area and we had lovely looks at the Scaly-backed Hummingbird, the Woodstar and the Brown Violetear Hummers. We watched in the rain as these little birds went from one Verbena blossom to the next. The rain poured. We went for breakfast and then we drove down the mountain to Sanersos Boganin and the feeders there. We were sheltered on the deck so it was a good idea to visit this place. They even made us fresh coffee here. We had the Grayish Saltator, the Buff-throated Saltator and Hoffman's Woodpecker to name a few birds. It continued to rain but at the same time the feeders were filled and everyone was cozy.
The Grey-headed Chachalacas seemed to be acting like lovebirds today.
We returned to Arsenal Observatory Lodge and had lunch. It continued to pour and we had a break until 2:45 pm. I got a couple of things ironed since I borrowed an iron from the Front Desk. Emily keeps teasing me about the ironing but my clothes are wrinkled out of the suitcase!! I even had a half hour nap and fell asleep listening to the rain.
The sun finally came out and we only had a few showers in the later afternoon. Out we went in the minibus again.
For the afternoon we went down the mountain again and hiked the Old Road to the Dam which will become a National Park in a couple of years. The road was dirt, rock and muddy in sections but still pretty good. This area is heavily treed and has lots of bushes and has lots of birds hiding in the bushes but only a few were willing to come out.
These birds were along the road down from the mountain. Red-lored Parrots.
We birded here until 5:20 pm which allowed us to make to happy hour. Our best bird this afternoon, according to our guide was the Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet. It is a very small bird which has a very vibrant yellow belly. Again we had a big supper - the food is very good and the portions are really big. We ended the day, doing two days of bird lists and now we are just chilling and on our computers. Tomorrow morning is another early morning start.
This was Toucan that visited the trees overlooking the deck of Arsenal. The Chestnut-mandibled Toucan.
Barb, Emily, Sami & Lynne
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