Fruit Loops?

This morning we were up early to meet Roy, our guide, for the 6:15 am bird watching tour. Roy is in charge of the research station they have here at the reserve. He has been bird watching for the last five years and has seen 500 of the over 800 species of birds native to Costa Rica. In addition to binoculars, a camera with a mega lens, Roy had a spotter's scope. At first we just walked around the gardens in front of the main complex and we were stopping every few feet to look at a different bird. It was amazing the different colors from dark blue to vibrant red. Roy would whistle a call and we would all listen for the response.



Roy and Reg looking up at one of the birds

Starting in the late 1970's a lot of the cloud forest area was cleared to provide grazing area for cattle. As a result, it has also changed the bird life in the area and there are more raptors in the area, including the laughing falcon and the toucan. Now I have been wanting to see a toucan for a while, especially in the wild. I did not know much about it or that it was a raptor that ate the young of other birds. It was just a character from the Fruit Loops cereal commercial with a brightly colored large beak. Well, today was my lucky day and we saw as many as 5 toucans flocking together in trees. Below are pictures of the laughing falcon and the toucan, taken with the aid of Roy's spotting scope.

Laughing Falcon

Toucan

After our bird watching we had breakfast, complete with made to order omelets, fresh fruits, rolls, etc. We were hungry after our morning hike. Of course, after breakfast it was time to return to our casita for a nap. Now I am sitting on the back deck of the casita, composing this blog entry and watching the hummingbirds visit the flowers. There is a large purple colored hummingbird that I have been trying to get a picture of but he always darts away as soon as I bring up my camera.

Here are a few pictures of Villa Blanca. You may also check out their website, www.villablanca-costarica.com

The main lodge with the front desk, gift shop, theater, game room, lounge area, bar and restaurant 

The casita where Rich and I are staying. 

Stay tuned for more of our adventures at Villa Blanca.

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