Costa Rica 5 Selva Verde Lodge

 A few shots left over for La Selva Biological Station, and then on to Selva Verde Lodge, a wonderful lodge built right in the jungle, and full of trails, iguanas, and birds. I would go back in a second, the rooms were so comfortable, food superb, and even walking between the rooms and the reception and restaurant on covered walkway, there was plenty of nature to see. 

Ah Ha! I thought I had erased this photo, the Common Pauraqui, which Neal and Sally got to
see the second day at La Selva Biological.  Although I prefer the other photo, to actually see one
twice was a miracle. 

, , 

Crested Guan

These are Nicaraguan White Tent bats.  They are fully grown, and about the size of a moth ball. 
Sally has a wonderful video of them stirring around so you can see their tiny faces. 

Luis Vargas, Sally, and Neal

A great disappointment that I couldn't get a good photo of a fabulous bird, the 
Great Curassow.  I have always wanted to see one, and the signs all around La Selva Biological
feature a picture of one, so I had hopes.  Neal found one later in good photo conditions, so 
I look forward to seeing it.  And whining a bit. 
Life list

Slaty-tailed Trogan
Life list
.  

On to Selva Verde Lodge
This gives you an idea of the density of the forest around the Lodge.  

The suspension walkway bridge over the Sarapiqui river.

If you look closely, there is a Tiger-heron resting on the rocks on this side of the river, almost
exactly in the middle of the picture, on the edge of the rocks.  If I had seen him......
(taken with the I-phone)

I passed this leaf on the way to breakfast every morning, finally succumbed.

Who says dinosaurs don't still exist?

In the upstairs dining hall, there was a balcony to sit and watch feeding stations. 
A perfect place to relax, drink coffee, and have the birds (and animals) come to you. 

Including a Golden-hooded Tanager

Passerini's Tanager

Montezuma Oropendola
And that comment about dinosaurs.......

Blue Morpho butterfly.  When he flies, the wings are iridescent blue.

Palm Tanager

Buff-throated Saltator

And my first really big Iguana, over 6 feet long

Another one, come to raid the feeding stations of bananas

What an astounding creature

Here, two huge males are seeing which one will give ground.  The left one ruled. 

A boat trip on the Sarapiqui.
This is a couple from Brazil, finishing up six weeks of birding!

Mangrove Swallow

An American Crocodile.
Easily 12 feet long, he was very impressive.  
American Crocodiles are found in Florida.

Solitary Sandpiper

Green Kingfisher.
Finally, a decent shot. This is a female.

Long-nosed Bats

Green Heron, common in Massachusetts

Tropical Cormorant

Little Blue Heron

Green Ibis

Bare-necked Tiger-heron   Life list

Anhinga

Snowy Egret, headed north

Ringed Kingfisher. (female)

Amazon Kingfisher

Summer Tanager

Poisonous tree frog perhaps one-half an inch long.

I didn't have a guide with me when I shot these monkeys (from a huge distance away).
I assume they are Howlers

Green-crowned Brilliant

On my last walk to reception for our ride back to Bougainvillea,
another Spot-crowned (I believe) Woodcreeper

Final dinner at Bougainvillea Hotel, San Jose, 
with Sonia Nunez, our trip planner, coordinator and transportation resource, and
all-around great person.  I wish Juan Carlos could have joined us. 

A wonderful 12 days of birding with wonderful company, 
great conversation, great food, good beds (mostly), and 
above all, the beautiful country and birds of Costa Rica.  
I am ready to go again.