charliedoggett.net
One of four species of Saltators in Costa Rica, Buff-throated Saltator, Saltator maximus (my gallery link), is one of the more common species quietly eating fruit, berries and seeds in the trees from lowlands to 1800 meters on both slopes of Costa Rica and found from Mexico to South America. Read more about on eBird. Here’s 3 shots from my garden in Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica . . .
Trying to group birds by size is not real accurate, but now it leaves me with 4 “smaller” birds for tomorrow and 4 others for the next day! 🙂 Then I will get on to other wildlife and the many butterflies photographed at Arenal Observatory!
 |
| Buff-throated Saltator Selva Verde Lodge Sarapiquí, Chilamate, Costa Rica Also saw a black-headed saltator, but no decent photo. |
 |
| Spotted Sandpiper Selva Verde Lodge Sarapiquí, Chilamate, Costa Rica As seen from my room balcony on Sarapiquí River And I have never seen one with actual spots. |
 |
| Northern Barred Woodcreeper Selva Verde Lodge Sarapiquí, Chilamate, Costa Rica |
 |
| Great Kiskadee Selva Verde Lodge Sarapiquí, Chilamate, Costa Rica |
 |
| Gray-capped Flycatcher Along the Puerto Viejo River, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Costa Rica |
See also my Photo Gallery of Costa Rica Birds
Well, that really is all the bird photos I will share from this great trip! But expect about 4 more posts of other wildlife photographed in the Sarapiquí area of Costa Rica.
 |
| Corcovado Beach at southern end of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica |
Then a 4-month break before my next big adventure the first week of May to Corcovado National Park (largest Pacific Coast rainforest) and Drake Bay, staying at the AGUILA DE OSA, Rainforest & Marine Adventure Lodge. There is no end to adventure and nature photography in Costa Rica and I intend experience as much of it as possible! All my reservations are made including small plane air transportation down which is cheaper than a rent car. I could have done the bus but it is so much easier flying to the South Pacific! It is the wrong time of year for whale-watching, but my focus is birds right now. I’ll do whales another time.
Back in 2009 I visited the southern end of Osa Peninsula and Corcovado (above photo) on a birding trip to Luna Lodge and Lookout Inn, flying to Puerto Jimenez and a 2 hour dirt road drive to the edge of the park. This will be different at the other end or northern end and will include a visit to an island reserve out in the ocean. I can hardly wait!