Hola!
Interesting times this week. So the story goes that a fellow up the road was trimming his (very large) trees, and he cut down a large limb which landed on the hydro wires servicing our end of of things. This caused what we in the biz like to call an "big freakin' electrical fire", followed by a multi-day power outage. The electrical utility here refused to service the lines because they were on private property, so our gardener and owner headed up to fix the problem (everyone's a high-voltage electrician in Costa Rica). Through the magic of rope, gardening tools and sheer determination they returned power, but in the wake of this event the internet seems to have developed some functional problems. Thus we are without internet, a luxury that I had not expected but had come to appreciate greatly. Anyway, this should be fixed soon enough, but for the time being I am using the painfully slow internet at the local cafe, so no photos at the moment. I have some lined up though, so expect future updates soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Butterflies!
Hola!
Well, it's about time I suppose that I get on to the butterflies. I am at a Butterfly Garden after all! So, without further adieu, here are some photos from yesterday morning.
If you wake up nice and early, you catch some of the butterflies sleeping. For example, these two:
False Postman (Heliconius clysonymus)
Spotted Longwing (Heliconius hecale)
A butterfly who manages both subtle and stunning at the same time is the Cracker, so named because of the cracking sound he uses to attract a mate (unique among butterflies).
Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)
There are so many butterflies in the country that many don't even have a common name, like this little green gem:
Unnamed (Nessaea aglaura)
Unnamed (Nessaea aglaura)
One more. It seems the benches in the reception area are prime location for interesting moths, like this white one that appeared here yesterday in the am.
Unidentified moth.
Also, since a few people (a small few) are interested in my CR bird sightings, I have posted a list on the website (http://www.kylehorner.com/page8.php). That's all for now, will post again soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
Well, it's about time I suppose that I get on to the butterflies. I am at a Butterfly Garden after all! So, without further adieu, here are some photos from yesterday morning.
If you wake up nice and early, you catch some of the butterflies sleeping. For example, these two:
False Postman (Heliconius clysonymus)
Spotted Longwing (Heliconius hecale)
A butterfly who manages both subtle and stunning at the same time is the Cracker, so named because of the cracking sound he uses to attract a mate (unique among butterflies).
Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)
There are so many butterflies in the country that many don't even have a common name, like this little green gem:
Unnamed (Nessaea aglaura)
Unnamed (Nessaea aglaura)
One more. It seems the benches in the reception area are prime location for interesting moths, like this white one that appeared here yesterday in the am.
Unidentified moth.
Also, since a few people (a small few) are interested in my CR bird sightings, I have posted a list on the website (http://www.kylehorner.com/page8.php). That's all for now, will post again soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
Saturday, February 6, 2010
A few odds and ends...
Hola!
At long last, another update from Monteverde. After several days of wind and rain, some beautiful weather has allowed for a little more birding and photography. For example, this lovely Motmot from yesterday morning.
Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)
And our own little version of the Red-bellied Woodpecker:
Hoffman's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)
And in a rare attempt at being artistic (hah) a long-exposure shot down a hollow tree:
Tree
Ok, so I have been battling with these Sceloporus lizards that hang out on the walls here for some time now. They have a wonderful knack of remaining perfectly still until exactly the moment when you are close enough to shoot, then running into a crack. So finally I switched from the macro to the less-desirable telephoto to get the shots. I am not entirely pleased with the results, but at least you can see the lizards.
Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus malachitis) male
Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus malachitis) female
A few points of herp news to report: my co-volunteer had a sighting of a Black-tailed Cribo on a tour, which I was able to confirm on a video. I searched extensively but to no avail. Also, another co-volunteer claims to have seen a Montane Pit-Viper on a day off (unconfirmed), so I'm headed to that location next time I'm free. Also, yesterday I somehow merited an invitation on a collecting trip down the mountain and found that lower elevations seem much more productive for reptiles. Unfortunately we were there for a very short time just before dark, but I did glimpse many small (and some larger) lizards. I was informed by my Costa Rican co-worker that there were many venomous snakes there and it was very dangerous. I tried to nod gravely but couldn't hide a smile. Nonetheless we were not to see any snakes, but did find some Howler Monkeys which was cool.
Anyway I'm off, but will try to update again soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
At long last, another update from Monteverde. After several days of wind and rain, some beautiful weather has allowed for a little more birding and photography. For example, this lovely Motmot from yesterday morning.
Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)
And our own little version of the Red-bellied Woodpecker:
Hoffman's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)
And in a rare attempt at being artistic (hah) a long-exposure shot down a hollow tree:
Tree
Ok, so I have been battling with these Sceloporus lizards that hang out on the walls here for some time now. They have a wonderful knack of remaining perfectly still until exactly the moment when you are close enough to shoot, then running into a crack. So finally I switched from the macro to the less-desirable telephoto to get the shots. I am not entirely pleased with the results, but at least you can see the lizards.
Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus malachitis) male
Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus malachitis) female
A few points of herp news to report: my co-volunteer had a sighting of a Black-tailed Cribo on a tour, which I was able to confirm on a video. I searched extensively but to no avail. Also, another co-volunteer claims to have seen a Montane Pit-Viper on a day off (unconfirmed), so I'm headed to that location next time I'm free. Also, yesterday I somehow merited an invitation on a collecting trip down the mountain and found that lower elevations seem much more productive for reptiles. Unfortunately we were there for a very short time just before dark, but I did glimpse many small (and some larger) lizards. I was informed by my Costa Rican co-worker that there were many venomous snakes there and it was very dangerous. I tried to nod gravely but couldn't hide a smile. Nonetheless we were not to see any snakes, but did find some Howler Monkeys which was cool.
Anyway I'm off, but will try to update again soon!
Cheers!
Kyle
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sadly no photos...
Hola!
Sadly, no photos today. I did go the the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve yesterday, but was so preoccupied with trying to see and identify all the birds that I really didn't break out the camera! This seems to be a general problem here, and I am remiss in not having taken very many photos. I am resolving to remedy this situation (though as I type this an incoming rainstorm threatens my resolve - here's hoping it doesn't last).
I did, however, have a lovely visit to the Preserve, which is world renowned for its birdlife. It is rather expensive though ($17USD) and fairly crowded on some of the more popular trails. Nevertheless I did see 17 new bird species yesterday, so $1 per bird seems like a fair deal. I think the key is to go very early (ie. before 6am) and I didn't get there until a bit later, so I wonder if more species could be seen with an earlier start. The complicating factor is that it is a 7km walk from here to get to the entrance (about 22 total kms walked yesterday, at least half uphill!)
Anyway, highlight new species include Orange-bellied Trogon and a variety of warblers, wood-creepers and hummingbirds. No Quetzals though, so perhaps a return is in order. The Preserve is also known for its herplife, though I'm not sure where they hide it. I saw no herps yesterday, save for one tiny brown lizard (less than 3cm with tail) scurrying off the path. I've really got to dig up some reptiles!
In other news, I sent an inquiry to whatsthatbug.com and have made the website! Still no definitive answer though, but I'm working on it. See the post here:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/01/28/unknown-owlet-moth-from-costa-rica/
That's it for now. Mission Get More Photos begins today!
Kyle
Sadly, no photos today. I did go the the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve yesterday, but was so preoccupied with trying to see and identify all the birds that I really didn't break out the camera! This seems to be a general problem here, and I am remiss in not having taken very many photos. I am resolving to remedy this situation (though as I type this an incoming rainstorm threatens my resolve - here's hoping it doesn't last).
I did, however, have a lovely visit to the Preserve, which is world renowned for its birdlife. It is rather expensive though ($17USD) and fairly crowded on some of the more popular trails. Nevertheless I did see 17 new bird species yesterday, so $1 per bird seems like a fair deal. I think the key is to go very early (ie. before 6am) and I didn't get there until a bit later, so I wonder if more species could be seen with an earlier start. The complicating factor is that it is a 7km walk from here to get to the entrance (about 22 total kms walked yesterday, at least half uphill!)
Anyway, highlight new species include Orange-bellied Trogon and a variety of warblers, wood-creepers and hummingbirds. No Quetzals though, so perhaps a return is in order. The Preserve is also known for its herplife, though I'm not sure where they hide it. I saw no herps yesterday, save for one tiny brown lizard (less than 3cm with tail) scurrying off the path. I've really got to dig up some reptiles!
In other news, I sent an inquiry to whatsthatbug.com and have made the website! Still no definitive answer though, but I'm working on it. See the post here:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/01/28/unknown-owlet-moth-from-costa-rica/
That's it for now. Mission Get More Photos begins today!
Kyle
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Another Day in Paradise
Hola!
Just enjoying another day here in sunny Costa Rica and thought I'd fire up a few more photos. The first is a Social Flycatcher. These guys arrive in raucous, bickering groups chase each other around near our building.
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes texensis)
Today's second photo is a bit of a mystery. It is a small moth trying to convince us that he is a broken twig, sitting on one of the benches in reception. I am in the process of trying to get it identified, but I believe it is either an Owlet Moth (Noctuidae) or a Prominent Moth (Notodontidae).
Unknown Moth
That's all for today. Have a day off tomorrow, so hoping for some good photos!
Cheers,
Kyle
Just enjoying another day here in sunny Costa Rica and thought I'd fire up a few more photos. The first is a Social Flycatcher. These guys arrive in raucous, bickering groups chase each other around near our building.
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes texensis)
Today's second photo is a bit of a mystery. It is a small moth trying to convince us that he is a broken twig, sitting on one of the benches in reception. I am in the process of trying to get it identified, but I believe it is either an Owlet Moth (Noctuidae) or a Prominent Moth (Notodontidae).
Unknown Moth
That's all for today. Have a day off tomorrow, so hoping for some good photos!
Cheers,
Kyle
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Toucans and Parrots and Motmots oh my!
Hola!
There has been a shift in the weather here at Monteverde, and I am amazed how a slight weather change brings about a huge change in the bird life. The wind has disappeared, and I now regularly see White-fronted Parrots, Keel-billed Toucans, Emerald Toucanets, and a host of other new and exciting species. The first day that the Toucans appeared, I think I missed dozens of other birds because of my distraction with these amazing creatures. I also had a day off recently where I hiked up into the cloud forest and saw a bunch of interesting birds. Aside from the parrots and toucans, recent highlights include:Squirrel Cuckoo, Bat Falcon, two Bush-Tanagers, two Nightingale-Thrushes, two Redstarts, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, White-eared Ground-Sparrow and Gray-headed Chacalaca.
On the photo front I have come up against an expected challenge. Under the canopy, bird photography is nearly impossible without an external flash. That is definitely on the must-have list for the future. This leaves me with only birds in open spaces. Macro photography, however, is quite possible and I'm really hoping to find some more herps to shoot! Here are a few photos from the last few days:
Millipede
Katydid
A distant shot of a Keel-billed Toucan, just because I was so excited to see one!
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
Gray-headed Chacalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps)
That`s it for now, I will post again soon!
Kyle
There has been a shift in the weather here at Monteverde, and I am amazed how a slight weather change brings about a huge change in the bird life. The wind has disappeared, and I now regularly see White-fronted Parrots, Keel-billed Toucans, Emerald Toucanets, and a host of other new and exciting species. The first day that the Toucans appeared, I think I missed dozens of other birds because of my distraction with these amazing creatures. I also had a day off recently where I hiked up into the cloud forest and saw a bunch of interesting birds. Aside from the parrots and toucans, recent highlights include:Squirrel Cuckoo, Bat Falcon, two Bush-Tanagers, two Nightingale-Thrushes, two Redstarts, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, White-eared Ground-Sparrow and Gray-headed Chacalaca.
On the photo front I have come up against an expected challenge. Under the canopy, bird photography is nearly impossible without an external flash. That is definitely on the must-have list for the future. This leaves me with only birds in open spaces. Macro photography, however, is quite possible and I'm really hoping to find some more herps to shoot! Here are a few photos from the last few days:
Millipede
Katydid
A distant shot of a Keel-billed Toucan, just because I was so excited to see one!
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
Gray-headed Chacalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps)
That`s it for now, I will post again soon!
Kyle
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Finally Some Herps!
Hola!
At long last, I have seen some herps (in addition to the tiny frog from yesterday). Both found by employees here at the gardens. The first, a large salamander with no common name.
Bolitoglossa robusta
It looks a bit shabby, but that's because it was dug up by workers here and I had no non-chlorinated water to rinse it with.
The second find of the day was a Neotropical Ratsnake that our manager found while on a tour. Knowing that I love snakes, she bagged it and brought it back for me. I tried for some in-tree photos and the crafty serpent quickly climbed out of my reach. So not great photos, but a cool snake nonetheless.
Neotropical Ratsnake (Elaphe triaspis)
The good life continues here in CR. First day off tomorrow so I am planning some local exploring, should be fun!
Cheers!
Kyle
At long last, I have seen some herps (in addition to the tiny frog from yesterday). Both found by employees here at the gardens. The first, a large salamander with no common name.
Bolitoglossa robusta
It looks a bit shabby, but that's because it was dug up by workers here and I had no non-chlorinated water to rinse it with.
The second find of the day was a Neotropical Ratsnake that our manager found while on a tour. Knowing that I love snakes, she bagged it and brought it back for me. I tried for some in-tree photos and the crafty serpent quickly climbed out of my reach. So not great photos, but a cool snake nonetheless.
Neotropical Ratsnake (Elaphe triaspis)
The good life continues here in CR. First day off tomorrow so I am planning some local exploring, should be fun!
Cheers!
Kyle
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