Well you knew it was coming, so here are the other bird photographs that wouldn’t all fit into the last post. Leading off with one of two Green Herons which was most cooperative…
Yellow-Bellied Elaenia
I’m always happy when I manage to photograph a bird that isn’t necessarily on the “list” for the day. Even when the bird is partially blocked by whatever it was hiding behind. We’d had Yellow-Bellied Elaenia in the hand and in the field on another day but I think I found the one above myself. I may have been the only person who saw the Variegated Seedeater outside El Cas, the wonderful restaurant where we ate breakfast and many of our lunches.
Female Variegated Seedeater
The Broad-Winged Hawk below sat still for quite a while before assuming this less-expected posture.
Broad-Winged Hawk
I struggled to get pictures of the Sunbittern below, as it was heavily shaded and fairly distant. Some in our group were very fortunate to see the species again later in much better light and even glimpse its open wings as it flew, which is the to-die-for view. Maybe next time.
Sunbittern
Summer Tanagers were fairly common if not very available for pictures.
Female Summer Tanager
The Orange-Billed Sparrow is a new species for me. But its range is fairly wide, all across Central America and Northeastern South America, so maybe I’ll get to see it again.
Orange-Billed Sparrow
I think the Fasciated Tiger Heron is a new bird for me too. This is a juvenile Fasciated, which might be mistaken for a Rufescent Tiger Heron. I have seen Bare-Throated Tiger Heron before.
Juvenile Fasciated Tiger Heron
Some of the smallest birds were absurdly far away to try to photograph, but I made an attempt anyway…
Least Grebe
Green Kingfisher
Hummingbirds demand closer views. Here is a Brown Violet-Ear resting on the wires of the chayote fields.
Brown Violet-Ear
And a young male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. Click on the picture below to see how the light catches and illuminates his new throat feathers.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
I treasure the pictures below. We were at Tapanti National Park, which is where several of the photographs on this page were taken, and first saw the juvenile (the one with the orange throat) sitting alone on the twig for a while. Like magic, mom arrived…
Green-Crowned Brilliant
One more look at that cooperative Green Heron.
I might get around to one more Costa Rica post which will jumble together other creatures encountered. Otherwise I may embrace hibernation. 🙂
