Saturday, January 28, 2017

Day 4 - 2017 Costa Rica Journal

We woke up to a foggy, rainy morning.  After breakfast we spent some time packing up then relaxing on our deck until the rain stopped.  Although we were snug and dry, the White-nosed Coati’s didn’t look like they were enjoying the rain!
White-nosed Coati

We also got looks at our only Black-cowled Oriole of the trip.
Black-cowled Oriole

One of the more common birds at Arenal was the Chestnut-sided Warbler. They were in non-breeding plumage and not as bright as we see them during spring migration in Texas. 
Chestnut-sided Warbler

Before we knew it, it was time for our last meal at Arenal Observatory Lodge.  The food here has been delicious.  Mediterranean style with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, chicken, fish, and outstanding desserts.

Our driver arrived right on time for our 3 hour trip to Hotel Villa Lapas. 

Villa Lapas is a 550 acre private reserve located in a beautiful forest valley along the Tarcolitos River just two km inland of the Pacific Ocean.  It’s only about 5 minutes south of Carara National Park which we will be visiting tomorrow.

We arrived in time to walk around a little bit before dinner. 
Our very comfortable room.
Another maid that decorates with flowers!
Deck and outdoor restaurant from the bridge over the Tarcolitos River.
All meals are served in the large outdoor restaurant.  Again the food was Mediterranean style with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, chicken, fish, and amazing soups!
Beautiful landscaping!
Heliconia sp.
Tamarindus sp.
We were told this is the Jicara Tree.
Road around hotel - Pacific lowland rainforest

And it looks like our White-nosed Coati will be replaced by Common Agouti here.
Common Agouti

Next time:  Day 5 - Carara National Park - Home of the Scarlet Macaw.

I decided to do the bird list a little differently for the second part of our trip.  This is a total list for Hotel Villa Lapas only.  Individual lists will follow after each individual trip.

Birding list for Hotel Villa Lapas grounds and road to the hotel:

Bare-throated Tiger Heron
White Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Short-billed pigeon
Inca Dove
Squirrel Cuckoo
White-collared Swift
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
Rufus-tailed Hummingbird
Slaty-tailed Trogon
Gartered Trogon
Fiery-billed Aracari
Red-lored Parrot
Scarlet Macaw
Dusky Antbird
Greenish Elaenia
Common Tody-Flycatcher
Yellow-olive Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
White-ruffed Manakin
Blue-crowned Manakin
Black-crowned Tityra
White-winged Becard
Rose-throated Becard
Lesser Greenlet
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Mangrove Swallow
Barn Swallow
Rufus-naped Wren
Clay-colored Thrush
Northern Waterthrush
Tennessee Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Blue-gray Tanager
Golden-hooded Tanager
Speckled Tanager
Variable Seedeater
White-collared Seedeater
Buff-throated Saltator
Orange-billed Sparrow
Summer Tanager
Blue-black Grosbeak
Painted Bunting
Baltimore Oriole

Black Iguana
Agouti

1 comment:

  1. I've not had decent internet so this morning I caught up on all 4 days at once... what a GREAT adventure! That orange howler monkey is so colorful... and I love the green warbler. Of course the malachite butterfly is one of my favorites... and those snakes! All your photos make me want to schedule another trip to Costa Rica... wonderful!

    ReplyDelete