Costa Rica's national park system is a network of protected rainforests, tropical dry forests, cloud forests, marine areas, and wetlands. It is a world leader in conservation policies with protected areas that encompass over 25 percent of its total landmass - the highest in the world and we were on a mission to see as much of it as we could in a week.
Our next stop was at the Pachira Lodge in the heart of the Tortuguero National Park. There is no road into Tortuguero town with all transportation relying on boat travel on rivers and lagoons. Real David Attenborough stuff! Well, perhaps not quite, but certainly an unusual and enjoyable part of the holiday.
The lodge itself, was a much better standard than I had expected and the grounds and surrounding tropical forest again offered great birding opportunities. It was difficult taking photographs from the fast moving boat as we travelled into the area but a more leisurely cruise arond the lagoons the next day turned up some good birds.
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| Great Egret |
A Great Egret Andrea alba a different name to the Great White Egret Casmerodius albus found in England but along with sub species Eastern, Western, African, and American Great Egrets, all at the moment are considered to be the same species. There is the possibility of these being split, at some point in the future, as the latest DNA evidence becomes available and is considered.
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| Snowy Egret |
A Snowy Egret, similar to our Little Egret but showing more extensive yellow on the feet and lower legs and brighter yellow lores.
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| Northern Jacana |
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| Bare-throated Tiger-Heron |
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| Bare-throated Tiger-Heron |
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| Green Kingfisher - poor picture but my only Kingfisher from the trip |
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| Little Blue Heron |
The lodge itself was set in an area of primary and secondary forest growth with very little light penetrating the lower levels. It was a case of photograph something in the tree tops or find a bird that was willing to sit and pose.
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| Common Black Hawk |
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| Montezuma Oropendola |
With a name like Montezuma Oropendola it had to be one of the target birds for the trip. I saw them a couple of times but always high in the trees and shielded by foliage.
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| White-collared Manakin |
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| Female White-collared Manakin |
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| Bronzy Hermit |
And there is always the odd occasion when you are just too close and cannot get the bird in the frame.
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| Purple-throated Fruitcrow |
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| Yellow-crowned Night-Heron |
There were also views of Magnificent Frigatebirds, Pelicans, Osprey and an Anhinga during our time there, plus a few birds I had already recorded.
Once again we were moving on. The next instalment covers our journey back to the Pacific coast via San Jose.
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