Costa Rica, Blog 1 Hotel Bougainvillea

 And so we begin.  There is so much to tell, and I will try my best to condense into what will be about five blogs.   Of course the best part of all was having Susan along to enjoy so much of what I had enjoyed three years ago.  And I added 16 birds to my life list!  

The travel down was not easy.  Three different planes, and no distancing at all on the last two. But no delays, and Juan Carlos was there ready for us.  

Here we go. 

At the entrance to Hotel Bougainvillea, San Jose, Costa Rica

The view from our room into the garden

Off for birding, Susan wishing me luck.

And would you believe it, the first bird of the trip, and one of the most beautiful.  This 
Blue-crowned Mot-Mot flew down right in front of me.

Tropical Kingbird

White-eared Ground Sparrow

Clay-colored Thrush.  Why would this bird be the national bird of Costa Rica?
Because his song is spectacularly beautiful as he is dull. 

Breakfast.  We ate very well everywhere we went. 

Susan's first walk in the garden. 

Here is the Mot-Mot later in the day, better lighting, somewhat.

And a very unexpected bird in the garden, a Squirrel Cuckoo.  Susan spotted it. 

Female Black-throated Green Warbler, on it's way to Massachusetts. 

White-winged Dove

The Restaurant.

A Bromelid, attached to the tree, but getting all of its food from water and air. 

In the tower in the garden.

Shrimp, etc. 

A Baltimore Oriole, on the way through.  We saw a lot.

And tomorrow, off to Savegre Lodge

On Jan 20, a walk in Striar Conservancy

 On Biden's becoming president, I decided that a long walk alone would be a calming and

rewarding, and celebratory, of sorts. 

In January, there isn't much color, and cold, and no other hikers, so a great time to reflect

on the hopes for a more dignified and respectful time for us all. 

I took one lens along, a 28mm. F2.8 Canon pancake lens, very inexpensive for a Canon lens,

but remarkably sharp.  

New Years Day birding

 As is my custom, I played "Auld Lang Sine" at 12 Midnight on New Year Eve, and then

arose at 5 AM and drove to Provincetown for my first day's birding..  Beautiful morning, 

much more warmer than usual, and delightful.

Common Eider on the Cape Cod Canal

Brant at the Coast Guard Station

Northern Loon in Provincetown Harbor

And the best surprise, a Red-throated Loon

Off Race Point

Great Black-backed Gull

7:30 AM Shaddows, Race Point

A fly-by of Red-breasted Mergansers

And more Eiders

Race Point

And as I was sitting in my car, this beautiful fox came
trotting by, almost unconcerned with my presence.

I am hoping to have my best annual count ever, with help from 
Costa Rica, and Texas and Louisiana.
Waiting for that vaccine!
Have a wonderful, prosperous, and healthy New Year!