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Because Macaw is on the Pacific Slope, it can and does have both species of iguanas living in Costa Rica, the Spiny-tailed and the Green Iguanas. While the Atlantic or Caribbean side has only the Green. Here’s one shot of each at Macaw Lodge . . .
¡Pura Vida!
And don’t miss this weekend’s BIG ART FAIR at Plaza Calle 2! JIT! Just in time for the Holidays with gift possibilities for everyone!
Not really a new species, but this is first time I’ve noticed any iguana with blue lips! (Okay, I just looked in my gallery and one at Punta Leona had his whole head blue! 🙂 ) It is an immature Spiny-tailed Iguana and I have no explanation for the blue lips or earlier blue head! 🙂 Here’s 3 shots of him the other day in my Guarumo/Cecropia Tree . . .
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| Spiny-tailed Iguana On My Terrace, Roca Verde Home, Atenas Costa Rica |
This variety seems to be less common than the Green Iguana in most of Costa Rica, but I have seen this guy or his family members around the house, in neighbor’s tree, and going to and from the stream on the other side of our cow pasture. He was first heading in my backdoor, but turned and ran to the terrace when he saw me. They are basically harmless and never hurt people. Our little miniature dinosaurs! See also my photo gallery with this and other Reptiles.
And for travelers here the next 2 months:
Bridge between Airport & San Jose Closed 6 Weeks for repairs and Widening says this article in Tico Times. That means if you fly here it will take you longer to get into San Jose during February+ but should not affect coming west toward Atenas very much beyond the usual airport traffic congestion. The closure begins 21 January.
And FYI:
Costa Rica Ranks 4th in English Proficiency in Latin America says article in the Costa Rica Star.
That is convenient for lazy Americans who are mono-lingual, but note that it would not hold true in little farm towns like Atenas or other non-tourist, non-city locations. So my advice to those considering retiring or living here is to learn Spanish! After all, don’t you expect immigrants to the U.S. to learn English? 🙂 Que necesitas para aprender español.
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| Spiny-tailed Iguana in Downtown Atenas |
I’ve seen one on the apartment grounds, a female with a nest we think, but very skittish and never close enough to photograph. Today I saw this Spiny-tailed Iguana on the back side of ICE, the electric and cell phone company, on the base of their tower. It’s a cell phone image. There are three kinds of iguanas in Costa Rica, Green, Spiny-tailed, and Helmeted. On earlier trips I always saw mostly the Green Iguana and maybe a few spiny-tailed, but never a helmeted yet.
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| Typical Costa Rican Lunch Fried sea bass, onions, peppers, beans, rice, fried plantains, plantain fritters, and salad. |
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| La Trocha del Boyero, Atenas, Costa Rica Covered Outdoor Patios are the most common style restaurant here. |
And for Supper . . .