FAVE BIRDS – Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (eBird description) is definitely the most common hummingbird in my garden, to the point of having chased away other types of hummingbirds. 🙂 And it may be the most common all over Costa Rica or at least I’ve seen it all over! In my Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Gallery you will see my shots from 9 locations in Costa Rica. It is found only in Central America and the northern edges of South America. Because it is found almost everywhere in Costa Rica, I will not link Trip Galleries for this bird but just credit the feature photo and my second favorite Rufous-tailed shot which appears below with the two places linked . . .

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, Costa Rica
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FAVE BIRDS – Sunbittern

One of those thrilling moments of discovery was the first time I finally saw a Sunbittern, even though planned and expected but not guaranteed, there it was! And after a few shots of a plain walking bird along the stream, he finally opened his wings for this shot of spectacular color and design! Read the Backstory for more on the experience.

The Sunbittern (eBird description) is found along water in Central America and the northern half of South America. See my Sunbittern Gallery for my images made at La Mina near Rancho Naturalista, Turrialba; Macaw Lodge near Carara NP; and at Tapirus Lodge, Braulio Carillo NP. See links at bottom of post for all three of these trip galleries and links to these 3 lodges in The Backstory.

Sunbittern at La Mina, Costa Rica
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Scenic La Mina near Rancho Naturalista

Shots from the scenic La Mina area along a mountain stream near Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica, where we found the Sunbittern (la tigana), making it a special place!

La Mina, Costa Rica

La Mina, Costa Rica

Guia Miranda
La Mina, Costa Rica

La Mina, Costa Rica

La Mina, Costa Rica

Sunbittern (the way he is mostly seen, blending in with the rocks)
La Mina, Costa Rica

Sunbittern (a short flight)
La Mina, Costa Rica

Sunbittern (posturing to scare a predator, like 2 large eyes of a larger animal)
Some butterflies do the same thing.
La Mina, Costa Rica

You can see this unique place from Rancho Naturalista lodge near Turrialba, Costa Rica

And I have now added the bird photos from this trip to my Costa Rica Birds photo gallery.

Let me drink from the waters where the mountain streams flood 

Let the smell of wildflowers flow free through my blood

Let me sleep in your meadows with the green grassy leaves 

Let me walk down the highway with my brother in peace

Let me die in my footsteps 

Before I go down under the ground.

~Bob Dylan

———————————————-

Child Doctor?

And a “Feeling Old” story from today. I came back from Turrialba with a bad cold or “flu” they call it here. I tried an over-the counter thing that did nothing, so to avoid two visits and long waits at public clinic, I went to my old private doctor, Doctora Candy, who was not in today but her new intern was seeing patients, Dr. Andres Carmana.

He looked like a little boy, one of those young men out of university and medical school who just looks younger than he is (“not yet wet behind the ears”), but really nice and efficient as he explained things to me professionally in English in a very young-sounding voice. Gave me 3 prescriptions. And I almost smiled when he told me “You can just call me Dr. Carmana.” You know you are old when everyone who serves you looks to you like a child.  🙂

Flowers at Rancho Naturalista

It is difficult for me to pass a flower without photographing it! So here’s a few without name labels.

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

At Rancho Naturalista or in a nearby forest
All near Turrialba, Costa Rica

See also my photo gallery called Rancho Naturalista Flowers which includes flower shots from my 2015 trip to Rancho Naturalista

Or for more flowers, the parent gallery Flora & Forests of Costa Rica includes the above plus other locations in Costa Rica and even my home garden!   🙂
The earth laughs in flowers. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Farm Fresh Food at Rancho Naturalista

Farm fresh food at every meal from
 the on-property farm!
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

All meat and dairy products from their own farm, even the cheese!
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Low Season means Fewer Guests
These 2 birders from states there my 1st two days only
 Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

My 77th Birthday Cake! I was not expecting! (Mercedes told them.)
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Just one piece!
 Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

And their website: Rancho Naturalista

“The only time to eat diet food is 
while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” 

Rancho Naturalista – The Place

One of the friendly staff at
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

My excellent young Birding Guide, Mercedes! 
 Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Main Lodge & Dining Room (office, kitchen, library, etc.)
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

My Cabin for the Week 
 Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica
Tile steps invite me down from my cabin
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Observation Deck above the bird feeders and vistas
I had coffee at 5 AM each day here

One of the Vistas 
 Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

“I never get tired of blue sky.”  -Vincent Van Gogh
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Early Morning Fog adds Mystery to the Forest! 
 Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

And Recognition is Good!
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

And their website: Rancho Naturalista


“The earth has music for those who listen.” 

George Santayana




Butterflies at Rancho Naturalista

Mexican Silverspot
Rancho Naturalista, near Turrialba Costa Rica

 

Common Ur-Satyr
Rancho Naturalista, near Turrialba Costa Rica

 

Black-bordered Tegosa
La Mina, near Rancho Naturalista,Turrialba Costa Rica

 

Variable Cattleheart
Rancho Naturalista, near Turrialba Costa Rica

 

Checkered White Butterfly  OR  Cabbage Moth
Rancho Naturalista, near Turrialba Costa Rica

See my Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths Photo Gallery.

Unknown Snake at Rancho Naturalista

Unknown Snake
 I zoomed in or cropped one photo for this closer look.
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Unknown Snake
I’m  guessing about 2 meters long. 
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

He was outside in front of the laundry room and as we gave him attention, he disappeared in the leaves and undergrowth of one of the flowers. At first glance he is a dark brown snake, like the one I saw cross a trail here on my arrival day. At closer look he seems to have an orange belly or at least up front and to have other colors than just brown on his back or dorsal side. See first image. He is similar to 3 or 4 in my snake book, but not an exact match, so I am not naming him.

See my Costa Rica Reptiles Photo Gallery for about 24 species

5 Bird Nests Seen at Rancho Naturalista

Snowcap Hummingbird Nest
Wayne’s house near Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Sunbittern Nest (vacant now)
La Mina near Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Royal Flycatcher Nest 
 We waited a while but never saw the bird.
La Mina near Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Montezuma Oropendola Nest 
 Used by another bird below
Wayne’s house near
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Olive-backed Euphonia Nest 
 Inside the top of Oropendola Nest
Wayne’s house near
Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

Olive-backed Euphonia Nest 
Inside the top of Oropendola Nest  –  Baby visible here.
Wayne’s house near Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica

See photo of several Oropendola Nests  in a tree at Selva Verde Lodge.

Other kinds of nests in my Costa Rica Birds Photo Gallery all with birds on them:
Bare-throated Tiger Heron on Her Nest at Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Common Black-Hawk on Her Nest in tree along Tarcoles River, Costa Rica

Social Flycatcher on Her Nest in  Cañon Negro Reserva, Rio Frio, Costa Rica
Inca Dove on Her Nest in my garden, Atenas, Costa Rica