Birding in Costa Rica - Part 2

 06 January, 2025

Los Robles Trails and the Grounds and Gardens at the Savegre Hotel

     The day began with an early morning visit to a well-known location where Resplendent Quetzals (Pharomachrus mocinno) come to feed on the avocado trees. This spot is familiar to all the local bird guides and a crowd can gather in a hurry, so it's important to arrive early for a premium viewing spot.

     Even at that, not a single decent picture was achieved by our group, so I am using pictures from a previous visit to this part of Costa Rica. 

     It is without a doubt a spectacular bird.

     Returning back to the hotel we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at the buffet, where choices seemed to stretch forever, with items to satisfy every taste and appetite. Cereal and fresh, juicy, delicious papaya was all I needed.

     Stripe-tailed Hummingbird (Eupherusa exemia) was very common in the gardens, perhaps the most frequently encountered hummer. 

     Angel's Trumpets (genus Brugmansia) were prolific throughout the flower beds, probably planted rather than naturally occurring.

     Canna Lilies (genus Canna) have been introduced around the world but are native to the Mesoamerican tropics. 

     Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) was a frequent visitor, but never less than pure delight.

     Clay-coloured Thrush (Turdus grayi) is the national bird of Costa Rica.

     It is easy to see how Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus) came by its name. Sometimes people naming birds do make sensible choices!

     We were delighted to see a species of Crambid Snout Moth (family Crambidae) resting on a building.

     A Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) was engaged in the familiar practice of gleaning insects, rather than feeding on bananas, a behaviour we had witnessed often.

     A case can be made that the female White-throated Mountain-Gem (Lampornis oventris) is more attractive than the male.

     A Talamanca Hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis) took its turn at the sugar water feeders.

     Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) is the reliable friend of my birding world, always there to impart good cheer - an avian Selwyn!

     This is a fairly unusual view of the underside of a Lesser Violetear.

     There was an absolute profusion of plants, and in many instances I was not quite sure whether they were native or introduced. This is a Hybrid Fuschia (Fuschia x hybrida), probably a garden cultivar.

     Flowers were everywhere!

   

Nightshades (genus Solanum)

Bougainvilleas (genus Bougainvillea)

     Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) has pretty much conquered the world, so it was not a surprise to encounter them in Costa Rica.

Pink Knotweed (Persicaria capitata)

      Miriam took a few minutes to capture the overall beauty of the Savegre Hotel and its surroundings.

     In order to make it up to the high elevations of Los Robles we needed to board 4 x 4 Jeeps to make the steep journey up to the start of the trails.

     When we disembarked a magnificent vista greeted us.

     The washrooms provided a room with a view, safe from prying eyes, it might be said. One wished to linger and enjoy the moment!

    But the trail beckoned and birds awaited us.

         Fungi of myriad types, shapes and colours were pleasing to the eye, but difficult to identify.

     As befits an oak woodland, Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) were present, initially quite distant, however.

     The trails were well marked.

     The highlight of this excursion was without a doubt a Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium costaricanum) perched high in a tree, basking in the celebrity of the moment!

     I have little doubt that we were more impressed with it than it was with us.

     A Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) was perched  much lower in a tree so that we did not have to risk the dislocation of our neck to see it well.

     This beautiful oak with its tiny, perfect acorns (one of which now resides in my display cabinet) is a Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea).

     I swear that one could study oaks for a lifetime and still have unanswered questions, but what a journey it would be.

     There was magic in the forest at every turn.

     Miriam is much better than I am at suspending her concentration on the specific and drinking in the seductive beauty of the entire ecosystem. 

Beadplant (Nertera granadensis)

Sanicles (genus Sanicula)

     Onwards we sallied, climbing higher, buoyed by the wonders enfolding before our eyes.

     This clear, sparkling, cold mountain stream caused me to wish that I had good sourdough bread, with blue cheese and wine, to enjoy on its bank. Such would be the nature of near-ecstasy of the moment.

     There were many unfamiliar insects; this species of planthopper belongs in the tribe Pentastirini.

     It took a particular liking to Miriam's hand, and I confess to having experienced that feeling myself.

     A Collared Redstart (Myioborus torquatus) is an exceptionally appealing little warbler in a family where appeal is spelt with a capital "A."

     There is a story to this little shrine in the forest, but I forget the details. Suffice it to say it represents the apogee of someone's devotion, and I am assured that it receives regular visits to voice gratitude and supplication for continuing favour.

     Personally, were I inclined to prayer, a Scarlet Star (Guzmania lingulata) might more likely be the object of my veneration.

     Carlos, our personable, friendly guide was a mine of information and stopped regularly to explain some aspect of the environment in which we were travelling.

     A beautiful mushroom, unidentified I fear.

     I can do a little better with this click beetle, confidently assigning it to the genus Semiotus.

     I think we must award Selwyn a prize for chivalry as he held on to Victoria, precariously perched at the edge of a steep incline. What some people will do for a photograph!

     On second thoughts, is that chivalry, or just making sure he doesn't have to do the laundry!

     Don't you find this Scaly Tree Fern (family Cyatheaceae) wonderful? I know I do.

     A species of typical hover fly (subfamily Syrphinae) - the species identification eludes me. 

     Cora is a genus of basidiolichens in the family Hygrophoraceae.

     I am always happy when Miriam's pictures send me off to discover new information about the wonders all about us - on every walk, whether on the trail behind out house, or amid oaks in Costa Rica.

     It was a long, arduous walk downslope back to our accommodation. Lunch was very welcome.

     Miriam's fishburger was suitably branded with the name of the Inn. How's that for style?

     Looks like she had a well-deserved cold beer to go with it.

     Relaxation time was until 15h:00 when those who cared to met up with Carlos again to perambulate around the hotel and its immediate vicinity.

     A tree housed a congregation of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura).

     Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) was quite common.

     This is a species of Cucujiform Beetles (infraorder Cucujiformia), nestled inside a flower.

     Emerald Swift (Sceloporus malachiticus) is a common lizard, although often well hidden. This individual was basking on the tyre of a parked vehicle.

     We meandered around the vicinity of the Quetzal Education Research Centre.

     Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata) looks excepetionally cheerful.

     Blue-grey Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) was one of the most common tanagers.

     We visited a garden where there were many bird feeders of different types; this sugar water feeder is occupied by a White-throated Mountain-Gem.

     A male Flame-coloured Tanager (Piranga bidentata) barely poked its head above a log.

     A female Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) is almost identical to Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla). Elevation and habitat often aid in identification.

     Talamanca Hummingbird was always able to muscle its way in to the feeders. Here they are resting between feeding bouts, permitting digestion to take place.

     Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus) reminded us of what we have to look forward to in the spring.

     Brightly-coloured Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbulus) will also enliven our local landscape.

     Several Acorn Woodpeckers visited the feeders, enabling us to see them in much greater detail than we had during our morning foray among the oaks.

     And a resplendent Flame-coloured Tanager popped up to reveal himself in all his gob-smacking glory.

     Quite a sight! Quite an end to a wonderful day!