Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)

(117 views)
by Terry Costales

Even the doves on the grounds of the hotel seemed exotic.

Macaws

(116 views)
by Terry Costales

Here are two Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) and a scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) perched on top of their outdoor aviary on the hotel grounds. They were free to come and go as they pleased and a couple of them were high overhead in the trees.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(115 views)
by Terry Costales

Another capybara from the same family group as yesterday's posting. The staff from the Camp put out piles of leaves near the shore of a lake on their property. This tempted the capybaras to come close enough to be seen from the little boats we were in.

3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

(114 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo shows the distinctive markings on the backs of all male 3-toed sloths.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(114 views)
by Terry Costales

As the boat approached the little cove where we going to snorkle, a brown pelican in juvenile plumage greeted us with wary boredom.

3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

(113 views)
by Terry Costales

I know this is a male 3-toed sloth because I also got some photos of his back which had the distinctive male marking. We were very lucky on this day and saw several sloths fairly close up and most were actually moving. By contrast, in Costa Rica we saw a few sloths but each one looked like a large ball of moss.

3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

(113 views)
by Terry Costales

We were in our skiff and someone spotted this soaking wet sloth climbing a tree. In the wet season the water goes much farther inland and the sloths must swim from tree to tree instead of walk.

3-Toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

(113 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo was taken about a half an hour after we first saw this wet sloth. He was still climbing which was not surprising because he was a sloth after all.

Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)

(113 views)
by Terry Costales

If only our north american cities were populated with flocks of these beautiful Nicobar pigeons. I wouldn't object to them at all.

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(113 views)
by Terry Costales

Everyone's favorite rodent, the Capybara! I have wanted to see one in the wild since I was 10 years old and first read about them in a library book. I saw a large family group of about 5 adults and many young ones. Looking like guinea pigs on steroids they still managed to be adorable.

Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus)

(112 views)
by Terry Costales

This is another photo of the vulture I posted yesterday.

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

(112 views)
by Terry Costales

I was told by the tour guide that this was a cattle egret in breeding plumage. However, the colored plumes on a cattle egret are buff whereas this individual had smoky grey plumes. So either it is not a cattle egret or perhaps a subspecies.

White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica)

(112 views)
by Terry Costales

While traveling from the Arenal region to the Pacific coast, our guide spotted a large group of coati foraging on a grass berm next to the road. The bus pulled over so we could observe them, but this caused them to retreat into the nearby jungle. Fortunately, I got a photo of the last one just before he disappeared.

Brahman Cattle (Bos primigenius indicus)

(112 views)
by Terry Costales

The many Brahman cattle in Costa Rica are worshipped, but only for their superb flavor.

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)

(112 views)
by Terry Costales

This little bird was one of the first I photographed when in Costa Rica. We had just stopped at the Del Monte banana plantation where I found the bird perched on a nearby wire.

Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

Dozens of hummingbirds zoomed in and out of the viewing area to visit the the feeders that hung there.

Spider

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is a nice close-up of a large Costa Rican spider. I kept my distance while taking the shot and I care not what kind it is.

Cream-colored Woodpecker

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

I had never seen a woodpecker in colors other than black and white and red. So it was quite a surprise to see this gorgeous "blonde"!

White Rhinocerous (Ceratotherium simum)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

A pair of white rhinos eating together.

White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

The whistling duck does just that. He emits a series of short whistling sounds instead of the expected quacks.

Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo was taken less than one second after the one I posted the day before yesterday. Thank you Nikon.

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

To look down upon a dozen or more basking crocodiles in the wild can be surreal. This one rested with mouth open to prevent overheating, because crocodiles cannot sweat.

Zebra (Equus quagga)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

The only Zebra we saw was this one, who hadn't been raised with other zebras so instead hung out with a group of Roan antelope. The rest of the Safari West zebras had found a "private" place on the property that was not visible from tour cars. As a consequence those other Zebra were rarely seen.

Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

I think the eye stripe gives this bird a very dashing appearance.

Long-nosed bat (Rhynchonycteris naso)

(111 views)
by Terry Costales

We saw a few of these little bats in Tortuguero at the beginning of our trip. After that we journeyed to the Arenal region and signed up for another boat tour in Cáno Negro during which we saw many more of them. The guide on the second trip told us these little bats lined up to resemble a poisonous snake. They remain motionless until threatened, then wiggle their bodies and that motion re-inforces their masquerade act. As our boat drifted close to observe them that was exactly what the . . .