Arrival at Savegre Lodge, First Birding with Marino, Batsu Gardens

 Even though Bougainvillea was absolutely lovely, it is not overwhelmingly birdy.  Savegre is.  And with the added assistance and expertise of Marino Chacon, legendary birding guide, Susan and I reached our long-sought goal of real Costa Rican birding. 

This is a longish blog (sorry) but I couldn't leave any of these out.  

At Savegre Lodge.  That little cabin at the end is our lodging, a separate bungalow, which
meant I could play music on my portable mini-speaker. 

Susan moving in.  

Looking the other direction from the first photo, the gardens in front. 

There was a huge tent set up near the Savegre Lodge reception area, with hundreds of plants for sale. 

5:00 AM, out with Marino to see if we can find the Quetzal.  These next four shots were taken
almost in darkness,  and fortunately the camera sees these things better than the human eye. 
This is a Black Guan, found only in CR and Panama.
We found the Quetzal, and saw him and the female fly, but just too dark for a photo. 

This is a Ruddy Treerunner, found only in CR and Panama

The Emerald Toucanet.  
At the very end  of our stay, one day before leaving Savegre, I discovered a nest
not 40 yards away from the door of our cottage.  Marino was amazed.
That bird will be in the next blog.  

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper

We are now way up the hill above Savegre Lodge at Batsu Gardens
This is a garden planned just for bird photographers, surrounded with feeders, paths, 
and plenty of cover for just sitting and photographing birds.  Heaven.

A closer view of Savegre Lodge. Our cabin is just beyond that dark triangle behind the
long roof in the back on the right. 

Here is Batsu Gardens from the trail above and behind.  The large rectangle on the left
is the covered patio, with chairs for birders.

And here's one, taking photographs at his leisure.  

And Batsu is great for Tanagers.  Here is the Silver-throated Tanager

Mountain Thrush

A Baltimore Oriole, passing through, headed maybe for Massachusetts.

This is the Slaty Flowerpiercer.  Notice the bill.  Found only in CR and Panama

Found 

I am not sure what he is, but he certainly looks upset.  

And a photo I really hoped to get this trip, the male Volcano Hummingbird.  
Again, found only in CR and Panama

"Are you lookin' at me?!"

The Blue-grey Tanager, very common, and very lovely.

The White-throated Mountain Gem, another CR endemic. 
First photo of the male for me. 

And here is the female, quite different. 

Flame-colored Tanager.  

And one of my absolutely favorite birds, the Acorn Woodpecker. 

Susan on the trail up the mountain. 

The Batsu Gardens trail enters the jungle, and it is quite a different environment. 
This is very like walking in the rain forest of Peru

A Collared Trogan.  He has a gorgeous red breast, but not seen this time.

A real rarity, the Lineated Foliage-gleaner.  No, I am not making that up. 
A lot of birders have not seen this one.

How dense can the woods get?

Susan back at Batsu.  

And Lunch at Alma de Arbol, right below Batsu Gardens. 
Here is Marino