Fall lingers on...

European Starling

Tony Beck demonstrating his techniques

Tuesday Nov. 15:

Continuing with our series of “photo days”, we met at Fletcher Wildlife Garden, part of Ottawa’s Central Experimental Farm. We spent the entire morning in the garden area including the paths through the Arboretum, and besides Dow’s Lake. A perfect day - there was plenty of great weather, and endless photo opportunities. Everyone finished the session with good results. Check out some of the images here: Facebook Gallery. Although our agenda was to capture photos and learning photography, we tallied a day-list of 32 species of birds:

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Tree Sparrow
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Blue Jay
8. Cackling Goose
9. Canada Goose        
10. Cedar Waxwing
11. Common Goldeneye
12. Common Merganser
13. Common Raven
14. Common Redpoll
15. Dark-eyed Junco
16. Double-crested Cormorant
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. European Starling
19. Great Black-backed Gull
20. Hairy Woodpecker
21. Hooded Merganser
22. House Finch
23. House Sparrow
24. Lesser Scaup
25. Mallard
26. Northern Cardinal
27. Peregrine Falcon
28. Ring-billed Gull
29. Rock Pigeon
30. Song Sparrow
31. White-breasted Nuthatch
32. White-throated Sparrow

Richmond Lagoons

American Crow

Thursday Nov. 17:

We began our morning at the Coliseum Theater Parking Lot, east of Bayshore. From here we went directly for nearby coniferous woodlands in search of northern birds. Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks were very common throughout the whole morning. Interestingly, we found 2 late Eastern Blue Birds at the Berry Side Road. At Richmond Lagoons we had two juvenile Brant and a Cackling Goose amongst many Canada and Snow Geese.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Robin
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. Black-capped Chickadee
6. Blue Jay
7. Brant
8. Cackling Goose
9. Canada Goose        
10. Common Merganser
11. Common Raven
12. Downy Woodpecker
13. Eastern Bluebird
14. European Starling
15. Golden-crowned Kinglet
16. Great Black-backed Gull
17. Green-winged Teal
18. Hairy Woodpecker
19. Herring Gull
20. Hooded Merganser
21. Iceland Gull
22. Lesser Black-backed Gull
23. Lesser Scaup
24. Mallard
25. Northern Shrike
26. Purple Finch
27. Red-breasted Nuthatch
28. Red-tailed Hawk
29. Red-winged Blackbird
30. Ring-billed Gull
31. Ring-necked Duck
32. Rough-legged Hawk
33. Snow Goose
34. Song Sparrow

Dawn at Petrie Island

Sunrise at Petrie Beach

Snow Geese

Saturday 19^th Nov:

As autumn lingers on, we begin experiencing ever-changing weather conditions.

We started our excursion at Petrie Island with mild and comfortable temperatures.

Our goal this morning - find big flocks of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. By the end of the morning, we found around 14,000 Snow Geese and about 60 Sandhill Cranes.

Other highlights were Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks in good numbers. We still expect more northern birds to arrive in the weeks ahead.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. Blue Jay
4. Cackling Goose
5. Canada Goose        
6. Common Merganser
7. Common Raven
8. Dark-eyed Junco
9. European Starling
10. Green-winged Teal
11. Hairy Woodpecker
12. Herring Gull
13. Hooded Merganser
14. House Sparrow
15. Mallard
16. Northern Harrier
17. Red-tailed Hawk
18. Ring-billed Gull
19. Rock Pigeon
20. Rough-legged Hawk
21. Sandhill Crane
22. Snow Bunting
23. Snow Goose
24. Wood Duck

Two young Snow Geese among Canada Geese

Dick Bell Park

Sunday 20^th Nov:

Our group started at Andrew Haydon Park this morning, hiking along the shoreline of the Ottawa River from Ottawa Beach to Dick Bell Park. Here we found 2 young Snow Geese, White-winged Scoter and several individual Cackling Geese amongst the Canada’s. Unfortunately, heavy rain forced us into an early coffee break. Abandoning the Fletcher Wildlife Gardens for open country, we headed south into the open fields near the village of Richmond.

Burnside Pit produced a big flock of Snow Geese including 3 Blue Morphs. Other highlights today were Great Blue Heron, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup.

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. Black-capped Chickadee
4. Blue Jay
5. Bufflehead
6. Cackling Goose
7. Canada Goose        
8. Common Goldeneye
9. Common Loon
10. European Starling
11. Great Black-backed Gull
12. Great Blue Heron
13. Greater Scaup
14. Green-winged Teal
15. Herring Gull
16. House Sparrow
17. Lesser Scaup
18. Mallard
19. Northern Cardinal
20. Red-breasted Merganser
21. Red-tailed Hawk
22. Ring-billed Gull
23. Rock Pigeon
24. Snow Goose
25. White-winged Scoter
26. Wild Turkey

Until next time...

Join us on Facebook!

All excursions organized by Nina Stavlund & Tony Beck

Fun coming from the North...

Male Black-backed Woodpecker, Photo Courtesy of Tony Beck

Winter plumage Horned Grebe

Full day excursion Tues. Nov. 8 to Lake Dore and Algonquin Park:
Although the lake was reasonable productive with plenty of grebes, Common Loon and Bonaparte’s Gulls, diversity was relatively low. Birds became a bit more interesting as we got closer to Algonquin Park. We had an excellent afternoon birding along the Barron Canyon Road. 

Gray Jays were greeting us almost everywhere we stopped in the park. Also in the park were 5 Black-backed Woodpeckers. They were a lifer bird for many in the group.

Starting with 2 Common Redpolls just outside the park, we saw several more small flocks in the park, totaling about 120 birds. We had only one White-winged Crossbill flying overhead and along Hwy 26 southeast of the park, we saw a juvenile Northern Goshawk.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Tree Sparrow
6. Black-backed Woodpecker
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Blue Jay
9. Bonaparte's Gull
10. Brown Creeper
11. Bufflehead
12. Canada Goose        
13. Common Goldeneye
14. Common Loon
15. Common Merganser
16. Common Raven
17. Common Redpoll
18. Downy Woodpecker
19. European Starling
20. Golden-crowned Kinglet
21. Gray Jay
22. Great Blue Heron
23. Hairy Woodpecker
24. Herring Gull
25. Horned Lark
26. House Sparrow
27. Lesser Scaup
28. Mallard
29. Northern Goshawk
30. Northern Harrier
31. Northern Shrike
32. Red-breasted Nuthatch
33. Red-necked Grebe
34. Red-tailed Hawk
35. Red-winged Blackbird
36. Ring-billed Gull
37. Rock Pigeon
38. Rough-legged Hawk
39. Sharp-shinned Hawk
40. Snowbunting
41. White-winged Crossbill
42. Wild Turkey

Black-backed Woodpecker

Black-backed Woodpecker

Thursday Nov. 10^th:
Our beautiful morning started at Andrew Haydon Park. Thousands of Geese were flying overhead. After checking out the park more closely, we went over to Shirley’s Bay and out on the dyke. While scanning the wetlands, an adult Bald Eagle flushed a huge flock of Canada Geese. It was a spectacular sight! After Shirley’s Bay, we went back to Andrew Haydon but with a Parasailor on the waters, there were no birds. Instead we ended the excursion at Britannia and Mud Lake. 

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Tree Sparrow
6. American Wigeon
7. Bald Eagle
8. Belted Kingfisher
9. Black Scoter
10. Black-capped Chickadee
11. Blue Jay
12. Brant
13. Bufflehead
14. Cackling Goose
15. Canada Goose        
16. Common Goldeneye
17. Common Loon
18. Double-crested Cormorant
19. Great Black-backed Gull
20. Great Blue Heron
21. Greater Scaup
22. Green-winged Teal
23. Herring Gull
24. Hooded Merganser
25. Horned Grebe
26. House Sparrow
27. Lesser Scaup
28. Mallard
29. Northern Cardinal
30. Northern Shoveler
31. Red-breasted Merganser
32. Red-necked Grebe
33. Red-winged Blackbird
34. Ring-billed Gull
35. Ring-necked Duck
36. Rock Pigeon
37. Ruffed Grouse
38. Snow Bunting
39. Song Sparrow
40. White-breasted Nuthatch
41. White-winged Scoter
42. Wood Duck

Red-tailed Hawk

Saturday Nov. 12:
Today we hoped to find something unusual, and indeed we did.
Cackling Geese are not unusual this time of year. But, we had 11 of them at Britannia Beach including a tight flock of 10. Going to Shirley’s Bay we witnessed something quite extraordinary. On a huge nest, visible high in the bare trees, two adult Bald Eagles, appeared to be bonding. It was fantastic to see!
Also, inside the forest at Shirley’s Bay we had a Ruffed Grouse.

We ended the excursion studying the gulls around Bunside Pit. We found 3 Lesser-backed and a first winter Iceland Gull amongst hundreds of Ring-billed, Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls. 

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. Bald Eagle
6. Black Scoter
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Blue Jay
9. Bonaparte's Gull
10. Bufflehead
11. Cackling Goose
12. Canada Goose        
13. Common Goldeneye
14. Common Loon
15. Common Merganser
16. Common Raven
17. Dark-eyed Junco
18. Downy Woodpecker
19. European Starling
20. Great Black-backed Gull
21. Greater Scaup
22. Herring Gull
23. Hooded Merganser
24. House Sparrow
25. Iceland Gull
26. Lesser Black-backed Gull
27. Lesser Scaup
28. Mallard
29. Mourning Dove
30. Northern Cardinal
31. Red-tailed Hawk
32. Red-winged Blackbird
33. Ring-billed Gull
34. Rock Pigeon
35. Snow Bunting
36. Snow Goose
37. White-breasted Nuthatch
38. White-throated Sparrow
39. White-winged Scoter
40. Wild Turkey

Gray Jay

Sunday Nov. 13, Amherst:

We started  before dawn in the direction of Kingston and the world famous Amherst Island.

The weather did not act up as badly as predicted and the group was quite pleased with the mild temperature.

We were greeted by a beautiful male Red-bellied Woodpecker at the entrance of the Owl Woods.

The only cooperative owl we found was a Long-eared Owl hiding away deep in the needles of the Jack Pine. Fortunately it remained still for everyone to see. It was a lifer for several in the group.

The fields around the island revealed many diurnal raptors, like Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and all color morphs of Rough-legged Hawk. Good number of Tundra Swan was accumulating on the north-east side of the island. 

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. American Kestrel
6. Black Scoter
7. Black-capped Chickadee
8. Blue Jay
9. Bonaparte's Gull
10. Brown Creeper
11. Bufflehead
12. Canada Goose        
13. Common Goldeneye
14. Common Loon
15. Common Merganser
16. Common Raven
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. European Starling
19. Gadwall
20. Golden-crowned Kinglet
21. Great Black-backed Gull
22. Great Blue Heron
23. Greater Scaup
24. Herring Gull
25. Horned Lark
26. House Finch
27. House Sparrow
28. Long-eared Owl
29. Long-tailed Duck
30. Mallard
31. Mourning Dove
32. Northern Cardinal
33. Northern Harrier
34. Red-bellied Woodpecker
35. Red-breasted Merganser
36. Red-tailed Hawk
37. Red-winged Blackbird
38. Ring-billed Gull
39. Rock Pigeon
40. Rough-legged Hawk
41. Snow Bunting
42. Tundra Swan
43. White-breasted Nuthatch
44. Wild Turkey

The group studying the very cooperative Long-eared Owl.

Excursions organized by Nina Stavlund & Tony Beck as Always An Adventure

~ HAPPY BIRDING ! ~

Recent Local & Overnight Excursions...

Snow Bunting @ Presqu'ile Provisional Park

Casselman Lagoons

 

Baird's Sandpiper

 

Josh McCullough

 

White-rumped Sandpiper, Photo Courtesy of Josh McCullough

Saturday 29^th Oct:

We met at Petrie Island this morning under clear skies with a nippy wind.

From here we went driving through nearby fields, including by Giroux Ponds where we had a single Horned Lark. Passing by Milton Road, we had 21 Sandhill Cranes. At Casselman, we had White-rumped and Baird’s Sandpiper. Lastly to Embun, we had a couple of Snow Geese.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Coot
3. American Crow
4. American Goldfinch
5. American Pipit
6. American Robin
7. American Tree Sparrow
8. Baird's Sandpiper
9. Black-capped Chickadee
10. Blue Jay
11. Cackling Goose
12. Canada Goose        
13. Common Goldeneye
14. Common Merganser
15. Common Raven
16. Dark-eyed Junco
17. Double-crested Cormorant
18. Dunlin
19. European Starling
20. Gadwall
21. Great Black-backed Gull
22. Great Blue Heron
23. Greater Scaup
24. Green-winged Teal
25. Hairy Woodpecker
26. Herring Gull
27. Hooded Merganser
28. Horned Lark
29. House Sparrow
30. Killdeer
31. Lesser Scaup
32. Lesser Yellowlegs
33. Mallard
34. Merlin
35. Northern Harrier
36. Northern Shoveler
37. Pectoral Sandpiper
38. Pileated Woodpecker
39. Purple Finch
40. Red-tailed Hawk
41. Red-winged Blackbird
42. Ring-billed Gull
43. Rock Pigeon
44. Rough-legged Hawk
45. Ruddy Duck
46. Sandhill Crane
47. Semipalmated Sandpiper
48. Snow Goose
49. Turkey Vulture
50. White-rumped Sandpiper
51. White-winged Scoter
52. Wild Turkey
53. Wood Duck

Black Duck, Photo Courtesy of Ron Allen

Brant, Photo Courtesy of Ron Allen

Scenery along the Dechenes Shoreline - Quebec

European Starling

Sunday 30^th Oct:

It was a pleasant overcast day with mild temperatures.

We started at Andrew Haydon Park where we had a small flock of Cackling Geese. We scouted around for the Razorbill that was seen in the area, finally watching it fly west over Deschenes Rapids.

Other highlights this day were Long-tailed Duck, White-winged Scoter and Pine Siskin.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Goldfinch
4. American Robin
5. American Tree Sparrow
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Black Scoter
8. Brown Creeper
9. Bufflehead
10. Cackling Goose
11. Canada Goose        
12. Common Goldeneye
13. Common Loon
14. Common Raven
15. Dark-eyed Junco
16. Double-crested Cormorant
17. Downy Woodpecker
18. European Starling
19. Great Black-backed Gull
20. Great Blue Heron
21. Greater Scaup
22. Hairy Woodpecker
23. Herring Gull
24. Hooded Merganser
25. Horned Grebe
26. House Finch
27. House Sparrow
28. Lesser Scaup
29. Long-tailed Duck
30. Mallard
31. Northern Cardinal
32. Pine Siskin
33. Razorbill
34. Red-breasted Merganser
35. Red-necked Grebe
36. Ring-billed Gull
37. Ring-necked Duck
38. Rock Pigeon
39. Snow Goose
40. White-breasted Nuthatch
41. White-winged Scoter
42. Wood Duck
43. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Photo Courtesy of Josh McCullough

Tuesday 1^st Nov:
An enthusiastic group took off along the Gatineau Escarpments today. We had a most wonderful birding day with several raptor highlights including Golden Eagle, Northern Harrier, Northern Shrike, Red-tailed & Rough-legged Hawk. We also watched a Coopers Hawk chasing a flock of Eastern Blue Birds.

1. American Crow
2. American Goldfinch
3. American Robin
4. American Tree Sparrow
5. Bald Eagle
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Blue Jay
8. Brown Creeper
9. Canada Goose        
10. Common Raven
11. Coopers Hawk
12. Eastern Bluebird
13. European Starling
14. Golden-crowned Kinglet
15. Golden Eagle
16. Great Blue Heron
17. Hairy Woodpecker
18. Hooded Merganser
19. Mourning Dove
20. Northern Cardinal
21. Northern Harrier
22. Northern Shrike
23. Pileated Woodpecker
24. Purple Finch
25. Red-breasted Merganser
26. Red-tailed Hawk
27. Red-winged Blackbird
28. Ring-billed Gull
29. Rock Pigeon
30. Rough-legged Hawk
31. Song Sparrow
32. White-breasted Nuthatch
33. Wild Turkey

Petrie Island Sunrise, Photo Courtesy of Josh McCullough

Fall, Photo Courtesy of Tony Beck

Red Squirrel, Photo Courtesy of Jariya Rasaputra

Thursday 3^rd Nov:

Petrie Island was quiet with nice weather and an increasing wind during the morning.

Sandhill Cranes were seen dancing from Smith Road. It was really spectacular to see and a first-timer for me.

1. American Black Duck
2. American Crow
3. American Pipit
4. American Robin
5. American Tree Sparrow
6. Black-capped Chickadee
7. Blue Jay
8. Brown Creeper
9. Canada Goose        
10. Common Merganser
11. Common Raven
12. Dark-eyed Junco
13. Double-crested Cormorant
14. European Starling
15. Golden-crowned Kinglet
16. Great Blue Heron
17. Green-winged Teal
18. Hairy Woodpecker
19. Hooded Merganser
20. House Finch
21. House Sparrow
22. Mallard
23. Mourning Dove
24. Northern Harrier
25. Northern Shoveler
26. Northern Shrike
27. Red-tailed Hawk
28. Red-winged Blackbird
29. Ring-billed Gull
30. Rock Pigeon
31. Rough-legged Hawk
32. Sandhill Crane
33. Snow Bunting
34. White-breasted Nuthatch
35. Wood Duck

 

White-winged Scoter, Photo Courtesy of Tony Beck

 

Sunrise @ Presqu'ile Provisional Park

 

Presqu'ile Provisional Park

Presqu'ile Provisional Park

 

Presqu'ile Provisional Park

 

Prince Edward County

 

Prince Edward Point Light House

 

Barred Owl inside Presqu'ile Provisional Park

Overnight Excursion to Prince Edward County and Presqu’ile Provisional Park 5-6 Nov:

What a fantastic weekend!! Not only did we have awesome weather, but the birding was fabulous as well. The highlights this weekend were all 3 species of Swans seen together, Nina getting Eurasian Wigeon for life, a Black-legged Kittiwake flying over Owen Point, a single American Golden Plover, Peregrine Falcon, Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Barred Owl to mention a few…

65 species tallied on Saturday and 66 on Sunday. Total trip list of 91 species:

1. American Black Duck
2. American Coot
3. American Crow
4. American Golden Plover
5. American Goldfinch
6. American Robin
7. American Tree Sparrow
8. American Wigeon
9. American Kestrel
10. Barred Owl
11. Belted Kingfisher
12. Black Scoter
13. Black-bellied Plover
14. Black-capped Chickadee
15. Black-legged Kittiwake
16. Blue Jay
17. Bonaparte's Gull
18. Brown Creeper
19. Bufflehead
20. Canada Goose        
21. Cedar Waxwing
22. Common Goldeneye
23. Common Grackle
24. Common Loon
25. Common Raven
26. Dark-eyed Junco
27. Double-crested Cormorant
28. Downy Woodpecker
29. Dunlin
30. Eastern Bluebird
31. Eurasian Wigeon
32. European Starling
33. Fox Sparrow
34. Gadwall
35. Golden Eagle
36. Golden-crowned Kinglet
37. Great Black-backed Gull
38. Great Blue Heron
39. Greater Scaup
40. Green-winged Teal
41. Hairy Woodpecker
42. Herring Gull
43. Hooded Merganser
44. Horned Grebe
45. Horned Lark
46. House Finch
47. House Sparrow
48. Lesser Scaup
49. Long-tailed Duck
50. Mallard
51. Merlin
52. Mourning Dove
53. Mute Swan
54. Northern Cardinal
55. Northern Flicker
56. Northern Harrier
57. Northern Pintail
58. Northern Shoveler
59. Northern Shrike
60. Peregrine Falcon
61. Pied-billed Grebe
62. Pileated Woodpecker
63. Pine Siskin
64. Red Head (Duck)
65. Red-bellied Woodpecker
66. Red-breasted Merganser
67. Red-breasted Nuthatch
68. Red-tailed Hawk
69. Red-winged Blackbird
70. Ring-billed Gull
71. Ring-necked Duck
72. Rock Pigeon
73. Rough-legged Hawk
74. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
75. Ruddy Turnstone
76. Ruffed Grouse
77. Rusty Blackbird
78. Sanderling
79. Semipalmated Plover
80. Sharp-shinned Hawk
81. Snowbunting
82. Trumpeter Swan
83. Tundra Swan
84. Turkey Vulture
85. White-breasted Nuthatch
86. White-rumped Sandpiper
87. White-throated Sparrow
88. White-winged Scoter
89. Wild Turkey
90. Wood Duck
91. Yellow-rumped Warbler

Fall, Photo Courtesy of Tony Beck

All Excursions Organized by Nina Stavlund & Tony Beck 
Find us on Facebook: Always An Adventure 

Photo & Birding Tour to Costa Rica ~ 2012

COSTA RICA MARCH 2012

Green Violetear Hummingbird 

Turquoise-browed Motmot

The tiny country of Costa Rica offers all the diversity of a neotropical paradise, all in a modern, healthy, safe and comfortable setting. Experience the lush beauty of mountain forests, open country, colourful gardens and coastal habitats. This itinerary is designed to provide the best photo opportunities of the country's most beautiful creatures, especially birds. From the Resplendent Quetzal in the highlands, the  Green Thorntail Hummingbird  of the Caribbean Slope, to the Scarlet Macaw on the Pacific coast, we hope to observe 300 species of birds (or more) by the end of the trip. Although we visit some of the most productive areas for birds, we'll also enjoy great food, spectacular scenery, and friendly people.

Emerald Toucanet

ITINERARY:
March 06: Arrive, picked up at airport and transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea for 1 Night
March 07: Transfer via Paraiso Quetzal to Savegre Mountain Lodge for 2 Nights

March 08: Full day in Savegre - 2nd Night there

March 09: Early AM at Savegre, transfer via Paramo to La Quinta for 3 Nights

March 10: Full day at La Selva OTS , 2nd Night at La Quinta

March 11: AM at Old Butterfly Garden, afternoon at local lodge, 3rd Night at La Quinta

March 12: AM visit to La Paz Waterfall Garden, transfer to Arenal Observatory Lodge for 2 Nights

March 13: Full day at and near lodge, 2nd Night at Arenal Observatory Lodge

March 14: Arenal Hanging Bridges in AM, transfer after lunch to Hacienda Solimar for 1 Night

March 15: AM at Solimar, transfer after lunch to Villa Lapas for 3 Nights

March 16: Full day in Carara National Park, 2nd Night at Villa Lapas

March 17: AM Boat ride on Rio Tarcoles, afternoon locally, 3rd Night at Villa Lapas

March 18: AM locally near Villa Lapas, transfer to Las Orquideas Inn for final Night

March 19: Transfer to San Jose Airport in time for Int'l departure

Arenal Volcano

GUIDING INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: 

Herman Venegas as your local Bird guide throughout the trip. 

Tony Beck as your Bird and Photography Guide. 

Nina Stavlund as your Photography Guide

TRANSPORT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: 

Toyota Coaster with driver entire trip. Also includes airport transfers in and out and fuel

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Mar 07: Entrance fee and lunch Paraiso Quetzal

Mar 08: Truck ride to trail head while at Savegre

Mar 10: Entrance fee for full day at La Selva OTS

Mar 11: Old Butterfly Garden

Mar 11: Entrance fee Selva Verde Lodge or El Gavilan Lodge

Mar 12: Entrance fee and lunch La Paz Waterfall Garden

Mar 14: Entrance fee Arenal Hanging Bridges

Mar 16: Entrance fee Carara NP

Mar 17: Boat ride on Rio Tarcoles

Resplendent Quetzal 

Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl

MEAL PLAN: 

All meals are included in the price from Breakfast March 07 thru Breakfast March 19

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Air Fare to/from San Jose, Costa Rica

Meals on March 6, and after breakfast on March 19

Tips to guide(s), chauffeur, hotel staff

alcoholic beverages, or additional refreshments (soda)

Laundry (or other extra hotel services)

Long Distance Phone Calls

Airport Exit Tax of $26 USD when departing Costa Rica

Anything not specifically mentioned as included in above itinerary

Make sure you have a valid passport before traveling to Costa Rica

If possible, try to pack light.

We should expect all types of weather including rain, cold and bright sun. Prepare accordingly

Essential equipment will be binoculars, and photography equipment

Bring your cameras and a good selection of lenses

You'll want everything from wide angle to telephoto (200mm minimum)

A macro (close focus lens) can also be useful

If possible, bring a spare camera, extra batteries and LOTS of memory cards

Additional support is good (tripod, monopod or gunstock)

You might also want an external flash for low light or fill

Silver Throated-Tanager

Electrical outlets are 120V (same as in North America).

Click Here for More Information: AC requirements in Costa Rica 

At least two of your guides will have telescopes

We expect to be doing some hiking on most days, and in a variety of terrain. Typically, the hiking will be relatively easy. However, it includes some hillside trails and steep inclines. We will always stay on trails or open areas. And, the pace will always be reasonably slow. Make sure you have good, comfortable hiking shoes. We might encounter some areas with mud or shallow water.

Although we will be spending a lot of time around bird feeding stations at our lodges, some days will be very long - getting up early (optional morning hikes before breakfast), out all day, with occasional owling at night (optional). Expect some long bus rides between accommodations.

Insects are rarely a problem. However, it's a good idea to bring insect repellent with deet. This can be especially effective against chiggers and mosquitoes.

Costa Rica is modern, extremely healthy and safe, especially for a tropical "third world" country. It is among the safest destinations for travelers in the world. Medical and personal safety issues are very rare in Costa Rica. However, if you feel you need to take medical precautions, visit the following site for more information. Click Here: Common Sense Travel 

Click Here for the Canadian Government's Travel Report for Costa Rica: CDN Costa Rica Travel Advisory  

Click Here to get an idea of what we'll photograph on this tour: 

Costa Rica 2008

Costa Rica 2007

Purple-throated Mountain-gem

Violet Sabrewing

Dusty Glass Frog 

Yellow-headed Caracara

Price per person based on double occupancy:

$3998 USF
Maximum 8 participants
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $395 USD

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION @ Always An Adventure