The 'Real' Costa Rica : Fincas, Byways, Birds , Preserves

When Craig brought Jerry over to Montezuma, he told us " Come visit me at my cabina, get off the beaten path and see the 'real Costa Rica.' So we did.!

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A major challenge for wildlife is human damage to habitat, very obvious in the fincas, teak tree farms, eroded cattle grazing clearings, and pineapple plantings in various parts of Costa Rica.

Still, along the roadsides and in the deep valleys one can find the 'Secret' Costa Rica.

We never imagined how much fun we would have and what all we would observe while there. Thanks, Craig!

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Thanks to 'Costa Rica Craig' and his vehicle, we were able to see this amazing huge social nest colony of Montezuma Oropendula located off the gravel road traveled by the bus from Quepos to San Jose.

Lucky shot of a

Rufous-tailed hummingbird, taken out the canopy level back window of Craig's cabina in the hilly farm country on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Great getaway he has there, a secret place in a tiny Tico farm community where its easy to observe the sights and sounds of the locals as they go about their daily biz among some of the most beautiful wildlife and scenery on the planet.

Some of Craig's relatives have bought property in an area of farms and have a private preserve which includes land in a deep canyon with waterfalls.

One of the most exotic birds in Costa Rica is the Fiery-billed Aracari. Click on the photo to better examine the striping on the bill.

Costa Rica Craig (not his real name) old friend and host for the outings pictured on this post, calls this species of toucan the 'fruit loop birds' after the iconic image of a US branded breakfast cereal back in the day:

Another colorful Chestnut-mandibled Toucan was bowing and calling for a long time, allowing us to creep up under its tree to video and photograph it. We could also hear its mate answer across the valley....

The stop action photo makes the little Rose-throated Becard look comical as it prepares to fly down..

We saw two chachalacas fly up to a tree top high above the lush valley at sunset. Chachalacas are about the size of chickens, but with longer tails.

In the picture below you see one take flight from behind, the wings in a 'v' and the broad tale spread. The other one soon followed....

Fiery-billed Aracari... the camera catches this beautiful bird just about to land! (Click on the photo to see more of its colors, then hit back.)

Hola from Costa Rica!

For more stories and pictures of budget travel in Costa Rica , see our latest pages by clicking on the following link:

http://www.traveljournals.net/travelers/rmalone/journals/3615/

Birding Costa Rica : Mot mot, Masked Titra, toucan, Aracari
Vista de Mar
2011-02-15
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Secret Costa Rica : Hiking down to the waterfall with Costa Rica Craig
Vista de Mar
2011-02-14
44

Hanging Out with Costa Rica Craig : Birding and Hiking, off the beaten path in Costa Rica
Vista de Mar
2011-02-13
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Leaving Montezuma for Further Adventures with Costa Rica Craig
Puntarenas
2011-02-12
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Tales from the Jungles of Costa Rica: Hiking Cabo Blanco Preserve sound set for 1950's horror movie
Montezuma
2011-02-11
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Life is a beach at the waterfront Hotel Arenas
Montezuma
2011-02-09
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Pacific Sunrise, Parrots and Pizote , life at Luna Llena
Montezuma
2011-02-08
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Hiking in Costa Rica up the remote Rio Lajas
Montezuma
2011-02-07
68