Jackpot - Lucky 777 in Monteverde!!!

Hello Friends,

Sorry I haven't been posting as much as normal lately, but my wife and I have been working on fixing up our new house.  I know that's a pretty weak excuse, but it will have to suffice. 
On Friday August 20 my brother Kevin gave us a call and told us about an Oilbird sighting in the Monteverde area.  Without hesitation he was off to try and find this mega-rare Costa Rican bird.  He called back around 11pm reporting his success.  He said it was very easy to see and the location was very easy to describe.
The next day Magdalena, her brother Aldo Sanchez and your humble correspondent drove to Monteverde from Turrialba on our first real twitch in several months.

While driving up the horrible road to Monteverde we had some problems with our gas tank.  2 bolts had come loose and our tank was dragging the ground under our mistreated car.  The good news was that Vernon Campos and his wife Ivania were about 1 hr. behind us on their way to see the Oilbird as well.  News travels fast when mega-rarities are about!!!  We waited until Vernon caught up with us and rode with him and his wife to the Oilbird spot.  Within about 20 minutes we had our first sighting.  In total we saw the bird or birds 3 or 4 times coming into a fruiting tree, hovering, picking off a fruit and then flying off.  The Oilbird is very distinctive in flight -reminding me of a mix between a tern-kestrel-and a parrot.  I know that's a poor analogy, but it's the only thing I could think of.  Aldo was thrilled - Magda nearly wet her pants with excitement- and I DID wet my pants with my excitement!!!   I now have 777 in Costa Rica and for Magda it was number 761.  May the good birds keep showing up and may Kevin keep calling us with the info!

You never know when or where the next major rarity will turn up..but chances are - it will!!!

Also the next morning we saw some very nice birds, such as:  Three-wattled Bellbird, Resplendent Quetzal, Orange-bellied Trogon, Golden-browed Chlorophonia and many of the stunning hummingbirds in the Monteverde area!  We also got to see a gorgeous Striped Palm Pit-Viper!!!

Good birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Aldo photographing the Striped Palm Pit-Viper

Golden-browed Chlorophonia (photo from my archive)

Three-wattled Bellbird (photo taken in Monteverde)

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird- female  (photo from my archive)

Some Bird Images from Arenal Observatory Lodge!

Crimson-collared Tanager
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Steely-vented Hummingbird
Black-crested Coquette

Butterfly Images from Paradise!!!

Hola Amigos,
These are some of my favorite butterfly shots...
Common (Blue) Morpho taken near Platanillo
Two-barred Flasher taken near Alajuela
Banded Orange Heliconian taken near Alajuela
Good Birding - Steven Easley

Spot-bellied (Crested) Bobwhite Photos!

Hola Amigos,

These shots of the Spot-bellied (Crested) Bobwhite were taken on the entrance road to Palo Verde. These colorful ground birds become quite conspicuous once the rains begin in Guanacaste.

Good birding - Steven Easley

Long-billed Curlew photos from March 9, 2010

Hello Friends,

These Long-billed Curlew shots are from March 9, 2010. These photos were taken near the Tarcoles River mouth!

My brother Kevin saw this bird about a week ago in the same area, so it has apparently stayed for several months now.

Good birding!

Steven Easley

Images from Cano Negro!

Hello Friends,

Here are some images taken in the Cano Negro area in northern Costa Rica.

Enjoy - Steven Easley

Nocturnal Visitors!

Hola Amigos -

Last night we had many nocturnal visitors around the lights at our house!

Enjoy - Steven Easley

Images from Monteverde!

Hello friends,

My latest journey was with Dr. Danny Farrell a photographer from Florida. We took thousands of photos during a 2 week trip around northern Costa Rica. We took so many photos that I may have to put up as many as 5 different posts to cover all of the good shots.

We visited Monteverde - Cano Negro - Arenal - Liberia - Palo Verde - Solimar - and Punta Leona. This first post is of some shots from the Monteverde area!

Enjoy - STEVEN EASLEY

Target Birding with Sir Bart Brown

Hello Friends,

A couple of weeks ago our good friend Bart Brown was here with us in Costa Rica. We took him in search of a few really difficult target species. We visited Punta Morales - Cano Negro - La Selva - and Silent Mountain near Turrialba.

On our first day we found several Wilson's Phalaropes, which was a first for Bart in Costa Rica.

Next in Cano Negro we were able to locate the very localized Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet!

Our third new bird for Bart came in La Selva. Smashing views from 15 feet away of the skulking Slaty-breasted Tinamou.

The trip up Silent Mountain was difficult, but very productive. We had excellent views of Rufous-rumped Antwren and quick, but satisfactory views of Sharpbill - both new for Bart.

Bart now stands at 749 in the country, just one more bird and we get to yell out Bingo!!!

Here are some photos that were taken during our trip with Bart.

Enjoy and Good Birding, STEVEN EASLEY

Glass Frogs Galore!!!

Hello Friends,
Here are some of my favorite Glass Frog images taken last year.
All of the shots posted on this blog were taken at Las Esquinas Rainforest Lodge near Golfito, Costa Rica. The rainy season is now on it's way, so may the glass-frogging begin!
Enjoy!!!
STEVEN

Tortuguero Jan. 2010 - Blast from the Past - Part 2

More images from Veragua and Tortuguero...

Tortuguero in January - Blast from the Past - Part 1

Hello Friends,

These are some images that were taken on a trip to Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero National Park in late Jan. 2010. Magdalena and I took our close friend Bart Brown to these spots in search of a few target species. In Veragua we had great views of Sulphur-rumped Tanager, one of our targets, as well as many other nice things.

While at Tortuguero we nailed the very rare Greater Ani, the shy Least Bittern and we had fantastic views of the secretive Green-and-rufous Kingfisher.

I hope you all enjoy our photos!

Good Birding,

STEVEN EASLEY