Birding in Costa Rica - Part 8

 "Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."

Rachel Carson

12 January, 2025

La Selva Mar - Parque Nacional Carara  - Río Tarcoles

     La Selva Mar has an interesting way of grouping the little "pods" of cabins, divvying them up into countries.

     It is always a pleasure for me to spend time in Cuba!

     Here is the unit we occupied during our stay.

     Central American White-faced Capucins (Cebus initiator) scampered around at will, showing no fear of humans at all.

     If there is a competition for the longest mammal name, this one should be entered! The quality of the picture is not great, and I apologize for that.

     We spotted the nest of a species of Conehead Termite (genus Nasutitermes), a species of arboreal termite endemic to the neotropics.

     To those less inclined to the pursuit of nature, the pool was quite inviting.

     Breakfast was served buffet style.

     As we walked over to the bus, a Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) bid us good day.

     A morning spent at Carara National Park was on our agenda, and in no time at all we were there.

     There were fanciful images in the parking lot.

       A group photo seemed to be warranted.

      Carlos took care of the entrance requirements, and we were ready to go.

     It's always worthwhile at Carara to scan around the parking lot. Victoria proved this point in spades when she located a Blue-vented Hummingbird (Saucerottia hoffmanni), rare for the area.

     As far as I know, she was the only one to see this bird and she got a great shot too. Congratulations, Victoria.

     Redundant Skipper (Corticea corticea) seems like an odd name, but the common names of butterflies and moths are full of oddities.

     You might be interested to know that when the generic and species names are the same, as in this case, it is called a tautonym. It gets really easy to remember in cases where even the common name is the same, as in Anhinga, where the tautonym is Anhinga anhinga. 

     This will be an ideal esoteric talking point at your next cocktail party or family get together!

     Peacock Flowers (Caesalpina pulcherrima) decorated the grassy fringes.

     A Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) perched on a wire overhead, waiting for passing insects.

     Blue Morpho butterflies are quite common and add a spectacular touch to the forest ecosystem. They are strong flyers with great manoeuvrability and often evade even those birds specializing in aerial insect capture. The wing of this individual, Morpho amathonte, was on the ground, essentially undamaged.

     Perhaps the butterfly had become prey and the inedible wing had been discarded.

     Woodcreepers in general can give visiting birders fits, but Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) is one that is easy to identify.

     Spider webs always add enchantment to the forest.

     This mushroom is found in the genus Cookeina.

     A pair of carved macaws had us on high alert looking for the real thing.

     Creepers and vines are distinctive features of neotropical rain forests.

     Even brightly dressed humans can be camouflaged in the dappled shade.

     This Orb Weaver spider (genus Mangora) was doubtless hoping for some hapless insect to become ensnared in its web.

     Let everyone take heed.

     This lone mushroom in the genus Oudemansiella looks for all the world like a little parasol.

     Perhaps in a rain storm the forest faeries shelter beneath it!

     A Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis) was a splendid sighting, but the bird was determined not to allow a clear shot.

     Both male and female Northern Black-throated Trogons (Trogon tenellus) were close by, and highly appreciated.

     I don't know how many times and in how many locations I have seen Atta Leaf-cutter Ants (genus Atta), but my fascination has never diminished; if anything it has increased. They are truly remarkable creatures.

     This forest giant is a Wild Cashew (Anacardium excelsum), reaching towards the sun.

     The base is impressive.

     For much of our stroll through the forest we remained close to a stream which meandered and burbled in so pleasant a manner.

     Whenever I am confronted with scenes such as this I am reminded of that immortal poem, The Brook, by Alfred Lord Tennyson, and its universal message.

"I chatter, chatter as I flow

To join the brimming river.

For men may come and men may go,

But I go on forever."

     A Brown Anole (genus Anolis) gave us great pleasure.

     It was very exciting to see a Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus).

     This tiny amphibian has enough poison to stop a human heart from beating, and is one of the few poison dart frogs to remain fairly common. Most other species are in serious decline, some critically endangered and others already extinct. 

     A butterfly is paying the price for becoming entangled in a spider's web.

     This beautiful damselfly is a Varied Dancer (Argia adamsi). 

     Skippers (family Hesperiidae) can be confusing to novices and amateurs. This species is (I am fairly sure) in the genus Lento.

     One of the real joys of a visit to Costa Rica is the abundance of reptiles and amphibians. Here is a Delicate Ameiva (Holcosus leptophrys) - a lovely name, don't you think?

     A Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) perched alongside the stream.

     This female damselfly may be the female of the Varied Dancer above, but I am not sure.

     An interesting fly (order Diptera).

     A Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) paid no heed to us as we walked by.

     This caterpillar (order Lepidoptera) has the appearance of a Tussock Moth of some kind, but I don't know. I have no suitable reference books and a search of internet sites has not helped.

     I have posted the image to iNaturalist but no one has offered an ID.

     This Cattleheart (genus Parides) is much easier!

     We went for lunch at a restaurant and gift shop nearby with a fabulous buffet.

     There were interesting murals too - and junk food.

     Costa Rica is renowned for its colourful ox carts and decorative furniture.

     The visit to Carara had been very rewarding, but the highlight of the day for me was a boat trip along the Río Tárcoles. I have done this twice before and it is always exciting; the bird life there is phenomenal.

     Our boat awaited.

     It was great that it had a canopy, because it rained quite a bit, and we were dry and in no danger of getting wet.

     A view downriver - 

     The Tárcoles region is renowned for American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus).

     Even the Den Besten sisters didn't go in for a swim!

     Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) were quite common, often patrolling up and down the river's edge, looking for all the world like bewigged judges from a Dickens' courtroom!

     Great Egret (Ardea alba) is always stately and impressive.

     Anhinga was seen both in and out of the water.

     They, unlike timid humans, swim with crocodiles.

      Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) was among the most common of the herons.

     At one time, Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) was hunted for food, and highly prized. 

     While some localized hunting still doubtless takes place, I don't think it is widespread. I once inquired as to the taste and was told, as you might have predicted, that it tastes like chicken!

     A Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) showed off its yellow slippers.

     Those wispy plumes almost caused this species (and other herons and egrets) to be driven to the brink of extinction as their feathers were collected for use as adornment on ladies' hats.

     A Tricoloured Heron (Egretta tricolor).....

     ..... and a Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea).

     I think we can all agree the Snowy Egret takes the prize for footwear!

     A Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) scurried away from us.

     It won't be long before they return to Ontario, resplendent in their breeding attire, with single-minded dedication to raising the next generation.

     Mangrove Swallows (Tachycineta albilinea) hawked for insects over the water, but once in a while one perched for a moment or two. If you were quick you could get a picture.

     It was quite special to see a number of Hudsonian Whimbrels (Nemenius hudsonicus), a species rarely encountered at home.

     Neotropic Cormorant is another species that does not hesitate to enter the water to catch fish, so it has presumably devised ways to avoid becoming crocodile lunch.

     Viewed up close it is a handsome bird.

     In this shot you see a Snowy Egret, Tricoloured Heron and American White Ibis (Eudocimus alba) foraging together.

     A Hudsonian Whimbrel dwarfs Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla).

     If you look at the far right of the picture below you will see a Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus).

     Whimbrels are a treat for us; indulge me with one more picture.

     Mangroves (family Rhizophoraceae) were the dominant shoreline vegetation in many places, especially as we neared the expansive mouth of the river where it spilled out into the Pacific Ocean.

     A Yellow-headed Caracara (Daptrius chimachima) found a convenient roost there.

     Brown Pelicans (Pelicanus occidentalis) were abundant, both in the air and perched at treetop level.

     Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), those pirates of the ocean, harassed and harried gulls and terns, stealing their hard-earned catch.

     Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) has a demeanour that fits its name.

     Laughing Gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla) and Royal Terns kept company together.

     A juvenile Neotropic Cormorant hugged closely to the shore.

     A Willet (Tringa semipalmata) was industriously feeding, probing with its bill for worms and other tasty treats.

     This Laughing Gull is well into the transition to breeding plumage.

     You sometimes wonder how kingfishers and herons manage to swallow some of the prey they capture, but they always seem to get it down.

     Having smacked the poor fish into submission by beating it several times against the trunk, the bird had the bird in position, head first, to be swallowed whole.

     As we motored lazily back toward the dock, several domestic horses (Equus caballus) came down to the river to drink.

     The animals all seemed to be in peak condition; it was a grand sight.

     We saw but one Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea), but it was very considerate and stood out where everyone could see it well.

     A Double-striped Thick-Knee (Hesperoburhinus bistriatus) was a fine bird to see us off, greatly appreciated by all.

     It had been a wonderful day, full of the joy of nature and we headed back to our accommodation well contented.

     At dinner time a waiter managed to pour a glass of wine all over me, but these things happen. I was just glad it was not hot soup!

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