Costa Rica. Day 1

I was very fortunate that we decided to take our family vacation to Costa Rica this year. The first week was just Annie and me, and we were helped enormously in organising everything by Rey Vargas (afriendnincostarica.com). He was extremely knowledgeable, has many contacts around the country, did all the driving (which is often said to be a big problem in this country), and, as an extra, is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable birder. He is also great company. The first place we went to was La Paz Waterfall gardens, a little north of San José, we arrived there after dark the first night, and stayed in the Peace Lodge associated with the gardens, wildlife park and rescue centre.

The next morning the first thing I heard was a new bird for me, the Melodious Blackbird. A walk around the gardens discovered, among other things, several new hummingbirds, including the Violet Sabrewing in the header image.

Melodious Blackbird, being melodious.

Purple-throated Mountain-Gem

Black-bellied Hummingbird

Green-crowned Brilliant.

Rey joined us at the La Paz park, where we had a delightful hike down the gorge with its 4 or 5 waterfalls, he then took us to our next stop, on the way there was an amazing cafe (the roadside cafés are known as Sodas, this one was the Galeria de Colibri y Soda Cinchona) with a feeding station and several birders with cameras at the ready!

My first view of a Tanager that was to become a frequent sighting on the trip, the Scarlet-rumped Tanager, here accompanied by either a female or a juvenile. I think it was a juvenile as the male turned and gave some food to his companion just after this shot.

Another lifer for me, the Bay-headed Tanager

And another, a Crimson-collared Tanager, at the feeding station. We then headed on to what was to be our rental for the next 2 nights, at Orosi, in Cartago province, fairly high in the hills, with many birds, including even more lifers.

One of which was this White-crowned Parrot. A total of about 45 species in one day, with probably 11 life firsts.