At Carara National Park I decided to hike a 4 km trail that led through thick, mixed forest, ending up at a small lagoon.
As usual in dense undergrowth, photographic opportunities are limited, but I wanted to at least let you hear the forest as I did walking through it. So the video below is not much to look at — just undergrowth. But listen!
I spent some time at the lagoon, all but dried out at this time of year, but with enough water left to attract a variety of waterbirds and reptiles. So pull up a log, swat a few mosquitoes, and let’s see what we can see.
Stilt 1 |
Tiger Heron (?) |
Stilt II |
Green Heron preparing for flight |
Green Heron: On the hunt |
Scarlet Macaws
Even though they were far away, as you can see by these photos, I felt privileged to have seen some Scarlet Macaws. The species was on the verge of extinction from Costa Rica habitats a few years ago, with only two dwindling colonies left, here at Carara Park and further south in the Osa peninsula. The usual suspects are to blame: habitat destruction, poaching, pesticide use. But with a careful conservation program, their numbers have recently increased and other colonies are re-establishing themselves.
We enjoy hearing the songs, cackles and whistling and observing the activity of the shore life. The stilts are so graceful. Thank you John for giving us the sense of being there.
Nicole and David
I seem to have posted one of the stilt photos twice above, but, given the precarious state of the Internet connection here, hesitate to try to remove it. / jd
WOW!… what an entertainment session as we sit here in the cold, warming our hands with a cup of coffee!
This settles it John, next year a digital calendar of bits calls with the photos!
Hard to tell how big that (vain) iguana posing for you was…? A foot? 2, with tail? We had a pet one in the Canal Zone once that was at least 3′, nose to tail.
Anyhow, thanks much for the beautiful AV session, and the narration, you are a master at both.
Tim and Arja
Wow Big Guy,this is just too much… You have this amazing talent and sense of direction that gets to capture the Best Photos ans also the stilts are the Best it makes me feel like I am right there and this is the best gift of all You Big Guy ,I feel like an Avatar when I see all of it Thanks Daranieum from Parvati …Really Cool …keep up the Good Work its …Ses un Paradise sur Terre !!!
jd: Wonderful timing of the stilt reflection. Almost kissing himself. Well done.
Sister Sue
Hi JD,
I got quite a kick out of your ‘audio’ video … such beautiful sounds!
Louis : )