Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

(239 views)
by Denver Welte

Bald Eagles are very numerous in Dutch Harbor, where they live year round. They are used to people and you see them perched on dumpsters and piers, looking for an easy meal. Bald comes from the Old English "pie-bald", which means partially white.

Heermann's Gull

(239 views)
by Terry Costales

This juvenile Heermann's gull exhibits its main identifying marks clearly: black feet, red bill and dusky body. As an adult, its head will become pure white.

Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

(236 views)
by Terry Costales

A large fledgling appears mesmerized by the camera.

Black Crowned Night Heron

(236 views)
by Terry Costales

It's breeding season again for the Night Herons and Snowy Egrets. Here is a Heron settling a property dispute with his Egret neighbor.

White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)

(236 views)
by Terry Costales

I was quite taken with this two foot tall, chicken-turkey-like bird. It's a ground dwelling native of eastern Africa.

Long-nosed bat

(235 views)
by Terry Costales

On a tour of the Canal of Palms, this was the first animal spotted by our guide. There were three of these tiny bats on the underside of a dead branch. How the guide even saw them was a mystery because they were perfectly camouflaged. The guide identified them as long-nosed bats.

Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

On the bank was a gorgeous male basilisk. Observe from the color change that he was still shedding his skin.

Black River Turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

There are numerous Black River Turtles in the canals and rivers of Costa Rica. We stopped to view a caiman near the riverbank and this curious turtle came up to the boat. It was definitely used to people and was looking for a handout. Of course feeding the wildlife is frowned upon. It makes them dependent on humans and puts them at risk of disease and abuse.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

This prehistoric looking male Green Iguana appeared beautiful yet frightening.

Roseate Spoonbill

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

I was focusing my attention on the spoonbill but good lord! Look at the length of the neck on that egret!

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

This poor Caiman probably wished he was invisible. As the boat came closer, he slowly moved from exposure on the mud bank and into the welcoming murky water.

Wild Horses of Unalaska

(234 views)
by Denver Welte

Part of the small herd of wild horses on the island. They were originally brought to the island about 12 years ago and then abandoned.

White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is a close up of yesterdays' subject.

Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus)

(234 views)
by Denver Welte

Taken July 2007, this photo shows the summer coloring of the Arctic Fox. In winter it will be snow white.

Northern "Bullock's" Oriole (Icterus bullockii)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

I observed this female oriole as it fed and then flew into its nearby nest. It would remain in its nest a few minutes, then fly out again. The nest would have been invisible if not for the white egret feathers the orioles had used in its construction.

Howler Monkey

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

On our way to Tortuguero on the eastern coast, the guide spotted a family of howler monkeys in the trees next to the road. The van stopped and we got out to watch them. The noise the howlers make is thunderous and can be heard for miles. So when I finally saw them, I was surprised by how small they turned out to be. Barely two feet or so tall.

Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

This juvenile was perched directly across the canal from the adult bird I posted on this blog yesterday.

Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

Unlike yesterday's bright green plumed basilisk, this brown one has a yellow stripe. Here the male shows off his crest.

Ugly Bird

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

I don't know what kind of bird this is. Some kind of stork-like-vulture-thingy. It was in the walk-through aviary. Scary huh?

Standard Poodle

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

Beautiful poodle with a decent haircut and a colorful back.

Bullock's Oriole Nest

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

This is the nest I referred to in my last blog.

Butterfly

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

A rare opportunity to see and photograph these colorful creatures. Butterfly in German is Schmetterling.

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

Greater Scaups are very common in the Bay Area. This is a male.

Canvasback female

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is the mate of yesterday's male Canvasback. She is in almost the exact same pose that he, but here you can see her paler, gentler colors.

Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)

(234 views)
by Terry Costales

This is a male Canvasback duck resting in the water. You can't see the long red neck in this photo but I like the pose anyway.