Blog 4: The Paramo at 11,000 feet, Susan's Resplendent Quetzal.

 One of the very special areas of Costa Rica is the Paramo Refuge, a small island above the tree line, and home to three Costa Rican specialties, the Timberline Wren, the Volcano Junco, and the Sooty Thrush. It was one of my goals to see these three birds, and Marino provided the trip up into the very  thin air to see them.  And then on Thursday, our last day in Savegre, we promised Susan a look at the Resplendent Quetzal, and although she was miserably cold, and turned quite blue, she got a great look.  

Driving up to the Paramo Refuge, at 11,000 feet. 

Marino calling the Wren with his mini speaker.

A form of bamboo which is deadly.  Each of those green leaves ends in a 
hypodermic-like needle, incredibly sharp.  

The Paramo environment. 

And here he is!  The Timberline Wren, endemic only to CR and Panama

The Sooty Thrush, also an endemic to CR, and found above 7'000 feet. 

And finally, the Volcano Junco, and endemic to CR and Panama

Silky-tailed Flycatcher

Black-capped Flycatcher, another endemic,CR and Panama

Tufted Flycatcher

Flame-throated Warbler, another CR and Panama endemic

Another gorgeous Green Violet-ear

A barely-photographed (huge distance) Paltry Tyrannulet.  Marino refuses to use that
un-flattering name, and calls this the Mistletoe Tyrannulet.

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Yellowish Flycatcher

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush

Black-billed Nightingale-thrush, photographed on the first day in Savegre, 
on the path to our cabin.  Another endemic.

Yellow-billed Cacique

Mountain Elaenia

The bird most tourists travel to Savegre to see, the gloriously-named Resplendent Quetzal, also the national bird of Guatemala.  The long feathers, up to 30 inches long, are
not real feathers but are called coverts.  

I was so happy to finally be able to show Susan this bird which is so striking. She got up at 6:00 AM
and had no breakfast or coffee, wore every bit of warm clothing she had with her, and still
turned absolutely blue.  But she said it was worth it (I hope she was not just being kind). 

Susan warming up in the sun, after the Quetzal.