Book Review - Shark: The Illustrated Biography - Princeton University Press

      Over the last two or three years my familiarity with sharks has grown exponentially, thanks primarily to books published by Princeton University Press, and a couple of well executed TV documentaries.

     Daniel C. Abel has become a trusted, authoritative figure in this quest, and it was with pleasure that I saw that he had co-authored this book with Sophie A. Maycock. Abel writes with a fluid style that is pleasing to read, communicating science in a manner accessible to the layman, the primary audience for a book of this nature, yet losing not one scintilla of precision in the process.

     Maycock was entirely unknown to me, and I am unable to determine what was written by her, but I sense that most of the text is the work of Abel.

     As a devotee of etymology I was especially delighted that the origins of scientific names are consistently explained. For those with an inquiring turn of mind, this can only serve to enhance the experience of learning about sharks.

     As the subtitle of the book implies, this is a biography of four principal actors in the grand world of shark theatre - White Shark, Sandbar Shark, Smallspotted Catshark, and Spiny Dogfish. Along the way, however, all species are examined, the cast of supporting characters so to speak, as the plot unfolds and heads toward dénouement. 

     We learn about their habitat, feeding patterns, abundance or lack thereof, migration, reproduction, and threats. No aspect of shark ethology is left untouched.

     The book is delicately illustrated with watercolours, an appropriate medium I would say!

     Sharks the world over are under threat in the Anthropocene; some species, in fact, are critically endangered and teetering on the brink of extinction. Much has been written about the Sixth Extinction, well advanced by now, with the loss of many organisms in all of Earth's habitats. Some sharks could be the poster child for this terrifying period in the history of life on the planet.

     Human attitudes towards sharks has consistently been one of mild terror at best, to outright hysteria at worst, and since the movie Jaws premiered in 1975, hysteria has been on the ascendancy. There are signs that this uber-irrational response is being tempered somewhat with the advent of shark tourism, but visceral fear is still the default reaction of many.

     As is the case with some politicians, for many people facts don't matter, but rest assured that the likelihood of mortality from a shark attack is infinitesimally small when compared with daily, familiar hazards in your life.

     There are glimmers of hope that certain shark populations are recovering due to enlightened management practices, and enhanced interest in conservation and the environment, but the overall threat remains. We continue to flood the oceans with garbage, especially plastics, increase the seas' temperatures, impair the direction and seasonality of currents, acidify the water, develop shoreline habitat - and on and on. None of these changes are beneficial to sharks, nor to all the other organisms that share their world. And not to humans, either.

     Please read this book, enjoy it, but take heed. Perhaps together we can make a difference.

Shark: The Illustrated Biography - Princeton University Press

Daniel C. Abel and Sophie A. Maycock

Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691261676

224 pages - 6.5 x 9 inches (16.25 x 22.5 cm)

100 colour illustrations

Publication date: 25 March, 2025

Birding in Costa Rica - Part 7

11 January, 2025

Las Cruces - Rice Fields at Las Pangas- Selva Mar Hotel, Punta Leona

     We had enjoyed our stay at Las Cruces, with many exciting sightings, but it was time to move on.

     Just before departure we located this colony of stingless bees in the genus Tetragonisca.

     The more exposure I have to these insects the more they fascinate me. In addition to the guard bees seen above, they line their nest entrance with resin. The resin emits an odour which deters potential predators such as ants, or creates a sticky trap which captures them as they enter the nest. 

     It did not take us long to get through San Vito and arrive at our next destination, the rice fields at Las Pangas, near Ciudad Neily; a fabulous wetland in fact.

     Ironically, I did not even know of this location before our visit, having much greater familiarity with the more famous Palo Verde wetland in Guancaste; but based on my experience of two excursions to Palo Verde I think Las Pangas has it beat.

    The change in both temperature and humidity was instantly felt, from the pleasant dry conditions at Las Cruces to muggy, moisture-impregnated air at Las Pangas. I did not record the temperature but I am sure it must have been around thirty degrees and the humidity close to a hundred percent.

     But we had come to see the birds, and of those there were many, with excellent variety.

     Victoria managed this extraordinary shot of a Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum), prompting Selywn, filled with bravado, to say that it resembles Victoria when she first wakes up!

     Perhaps Victoria is secretly plotting her revenge, biding her time.

     She also took this great shot of another heron strutting his stuff.

     Here is a Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) with a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) in the background.

     Below, Wood Storks form part of a mixed feeding flock with Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), American White Ibis (Eudocemus albus), Great Egret (Ardea alba), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), and juvenile Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea).

     It speaks to the rich resources of the wetland and illustrates that different feeding strategies permit multi-species exploitation of the food available.

     We were an eager group, scanning and snapping.

     Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocyga autumnalis) was far and away the most numerous bird in the wetland. This is a small group, but there were many more.

     Interestingly, a couple of years ago a straggler spent several weeks at a local pond in Waterloo, causing great excitement among local birders. What's common in Costa Rica was exotic and rare here.

     A Great Egret was an impressive sight as it sailed in on outspread wings.

     Many Northern Jacanas (Jacana spinosa) were present, with Least Sandpipers (Calidris minuta) too.

     Another Wood Stork strode across the lagoon.

     A Great Egret and a Snowy Egret very obligingly stood together, permitting an easy comparison of the two birds.

     Animal faeces contain nutrients and are often quite rich in minerals and a Southern Sicklewing (Eantis thraso) was quick to take advantage of the bounty before its eyes.

     A couple of Tropical Kingbirds (Tyrannus melancholicus) patiently waited for insect prey to fly by.

    

     Whenever I see a Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) I am happy that I don't have to walk on those legs!

     A very distant Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus) had caught a fish and was no doubt flying to a suitable perch to consume it.

     A Roseate Spoonbill was happy to share its space with Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a Black-necked Stilt.

     Dragonflies were all around us, but as is usually the case few of them alighted, and even fewer close enough for pictures.

     This Tawny Pennant (Brachymesia herbida) was an exception.

     This butterfly is found in the subtribe Euremina, a large assemblage of sulphurs and yellows.

     I have been unable to identify it at the species level.

     A Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesiculosa) was much easier!

     A Wood Stork in flight is a gorgeous sight.

     At least one turtle will not be producing young this year, its eggs having been unearthed and consumed by a predator.

     A tranquil wetland scene.

     Surprisingly, we saw very few Southern Lapwings (Vanellus chilensis).

     We saw relatively few Franklin's Gulls (Leucophaeus pipixcan) either and only in flight as I recall.

     Adjacent to the wetland was an area of Oil Palms (genus Elaeis), a relatively recent phenomenon in Costa Rica. 

     I have seen the impact on wildlife in these green deserts in Malaysia, and I was sorry to see them in Central America. Human greed respects no limitation, however. Carlos offered an explanation as to why oil palms are less damaging in Costa Rica; I forget the details, but I remember at the time thinking it was like a choice between one death sentence and another. The outcome is the same, only the method of getting there differs.

     A Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima) butterfly is as splendid as the eponymously named bird.

     Our good luck with dragonflies continued.

Tropical Woodskimmer (Uracis imbuta)

     A Bare-throated Tiger Heron stalked the woodland.

     This attractive little beetle, Aegithus melapsis, is a member of a group curiously known as Pleasing Fungus Beetles (family Erotylidae).

     It was time to leave. We still had a stop for lunch ahead of us and a fairly long drive to Selvamar, our home for three nights.

     Comfort would be ours once again.

Pura vida!

Birding in Costa Rica - Part 6

10 January, 2025

Las Cruces - Cabañas Palmira - Las Cruces - Aviva Orgánica

     We left Las Cruces at 06h:00 to travel to Cabañas Palmira where we hoped to find Turquoise Cotinga (Cotinga ridgwayi), a prospect to make a birder's heart flutter.

     Early morning is the best time to locate the bird; hence our departure with the rising sun. As it turned out we found the bird almost instantly, much to everyone's delight.

     It was never in a great position for photographs, often deep in the foliage, but Victoria managed these very acceptable images.

     What a great start to the day.

     We had been provided with a bag breakfast, having made selections ahead of time (mine was screwed up), but it was quite awful. 

     There was a little soda (Costa Rican term for small restaurant) so I jettisoned my bag of unredeemed mediocrity in favour of gallo pinto with local cheese - and coffee, of course - and it was delicious.

     There was a ladder against a tree.

     A quite primitive, homemade ladder in fact.

     It was a siren call from the forest gods for Lisa; climb she must.

     There was glee in her eyes, a smile on her face.

     She made it all the way to the top, smug, victorious and happy as a five-year old.

     It must be remembered that we had two Den Besten sisters with us, and if one could do it, so could the other. Tina was not about to be outdone!

Photo: Jim Bowman

     The biggest surprise of all was that Selwyn didn't climb the ladder too; perhaps it was Victoria's stern glance that deterred him.

     One wonders whether this Grey-capped Flycatcher (Myiozetetes granadensis) was amused by the antics of those silly Canadians?

     Euglossine Bees, sometimes referred to as Orchid Bees, look almost cuddly. This individual is Eulaema polychroma.

     Northern Warrior Wasp (Synoeca septentrionalis) is an insect commanding a lot of respect.

     It has an excruciatingly painful sting, ranked at the highest level of 4 on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index.

     The sting is barbed and if used usually kills the wasp.

      I am glad that Miriam didn't get to find that out when she took these pictures!

     A Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) lurked in the shadows.

     This colony of Red-tailed Stingless Bees (Trigona fulviventris) went about their business, industrious and organized as ever.

     Soldier Beetles (family Cantharidae) are familiar to most North Americans and Europeans, especially those known affectionately as boinking beetles since they seem to be eternally mating! They are also a gardener's friend since they are voracious consumers of aphids.

     We were delighted to see a neotropical representative, Chauliognathus cinguliventris. 

     There are butterflies everywhere in Costa Rica; sadly I lack a good field guide, and my knowledge is sketchy at best.

     I am pretty sure that this pierid butterfly is in the genus Abaeis, but I am unable to narrow it down to the species. Several were flitting around and seemed to be landing to obtain moisture or minerals.

     We were advised that at one point it was possible to walk down a "road" and explore beyond the small area where we located the cotinga; however, the land has changed hands and the current owner has barred entry.

      We had to content ourselves with a look at where we might have walked!

     More butterflies with less than satisfactory identification.

Subtribe Euptychiina

Genus Hermeuptychia

Subfamily Satyrinae

Genus Burseus

     There are many creative uses for plastic bottles.

     This beautiful flower is know as a Boat Orchid, genus Cymbidium.

     As far as I can determine all species are native to Asia so I assume that it has been introduced into Costa Rica primarily as a house plant.

     This tree appears to have been girdled in order to kill it - for what reason, I have no idea.

     Hemipenthes is a large genus of of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae, known also as bee-flies.

     Several species of Spurges (genus Euphorbia) beautified the landscape.

     Climbing Sorrel (Begonia glabra) was frequently seen, clinging tenaciously to tree trunks as it climbed upwards.

      Butterflies in the genus Telegonus, a spread-wing skipper, have been the subject of much taxonomic discussion in recent years, making it exceptionally difficult to narrow an individual down to its species.

     It is undeniably beautiful, however.

     You will probably rarely be as impressed when visiting the washroom as you would be in this instance.

     The exclamation, "Gee whiz" takes on a whole new significance!

     There is always an added level of excitement in seeing lizards, since we have none in Ontario. Middle American Ameiva (Holcosus festivus) is very striking.

     Two is even better than one!

     This Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris), true to its name, was perched alongside the road.

     A Western Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis) looked out over the eponymous objects of its name.

     It was time to return to Las Cruces for lunch, where a few photographs were taken, the first of this much-lauded species, Selwynus ecstaticus.

     A handsome specimen, don't you agree?

     White-faced Coati (Nasua narica) is related to the familiar Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) and we were happy to see one roaming the grounds in search of food.

     We were delighted to locate a nest of wasps commonly known as Guardian Wasps (genus Parachartergus).

     These insects are quite hairy and are, therefore, good pollinators.

     They are referred to as guardian wasps due to their habit of protecting herds of honeydew-producing bugs.

     Our destination for the afternoon was Aviva Orgánica, a farm dedicated to respect for the environment and integrating ecologically sound practices into their business. We looked forward to our visit.

     We set off and navigated sharp turns and switchbacks - for a while - until we got stuck!

    Everyone tried to help. Sticks were gathered and strategically placed.

    More sticks.....

     Even more sticks.....

     And we pushed mightily.

     Finally, following Selwyn's instructions, he being the only engineer amongst us, the bus surged free, spitting mud, wheels spinning furiously on tyres with less than full tread.

     Elation was short-lived. Soon we were pushing again.

     Carlos decided that we would walk to the top of the hill and he would summon help from the nearest town.

     Kuldip and Lisa were stoic and resigned.

     The view was to be admired.

     A Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) was agreeable company, although one could be forgiven for thinking that its yelping clucks were outbursts of laughter and derision.

     We were in a quite remote area and help from town would be a while coming, but suddenly a vision sent by the patron saint of stuck trucks arrived on the scene. A knight on a shining tractor! A veritable Don Quixote with Sancho Panza alongside him, and no windmills to tilt at - and two dogs for moral and vocal support.

    We watched them disappear down the hill, our hopes held high, our spirits buoyed.

     Bleached bones were ominous!

     We had robber flies (family Asilidae) and Big-headed Ants (genus Pheidole) to keep us company, perhaps seeking more bones to clean and eyeing us with glee. I am sure I have never before seen an ant lick its lips, but I swear it happened as we waited.

     Beetles in the genus Cryptorhopalum were benign and cuddly by comparison.

     All of a sudden, piercing the still mountain air, we heard a cry of victory.

     Our friendly farmer was indeed THE BOSS!

      With profuse thanks, hugs, victory dances and supplication, joy and renewed energy, and overflowing, effervescent enthusiasm we pressed on to our destination.

     A blush of Bougainvillea (genus Bougainvillea) was as splendid a welcome as anyone could possibly desire.

     Pelican Flower (Aristolochia grandiflora) was beautiful too.

     I know that Miriam will not object when I say that this is the finest hand I held all day.

     This little girl was charming in the extreme.

     A Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba) evoked a frisson of excitement for all of us; even for seasoned birders owls hold a special appeal.

     A Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima) is a sensational butterfly.

     Potoos are odd birds, so cryptically camouflaged as to be invisible to most prying eyes. It was a special treat, therefore, to see this Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) blending into the stump on which it perched.

     A cooperative Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) was a fabulous sighting.

     I believe these flowers are Mexican Sunflowers (genus Tithonia).

      Here is the nest of Northern Warrior Wasp (Synoeca septentrionalis). We elected not to make a close examination!

     

Sennas (genus Senna)

     A Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) perched advantageously.

     We don't usually take pictures of Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus domsticus) but we couldn't resist this confident, strutting individual.

     A Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) in transitional plumage.

Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)

     A Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis) was difficult to photograph, never perching where we could get a clear shot.

     This Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) is probably a juvenile female.

     An Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris) was indifferent to the Summer Tanager sharing the moment.

     Before departing I think that most of us invested in some of the organic products available from these hardworking people. Miriam and I bought a jar of honey with hot peppers and have found it so delicious we kick ourselves for buying only one.

     It had been a fabulous day, but it was coming to a close, and it was time to go.

Pura vida! Pura vida, indeed!