Casa Orquideas & Rio Rincon, Costa Rica
The first outtting of the day brought us to a little piece of heaven. A 70 hectare botanical garden, own and pampered by two expatriates from New Hampshire, Ron and Trudy McAllister. They arrived to this area over 25 years ago looking for a place far from the crowded cities.
The garden is a beautiful compilation of orquids, bromeliads, heliconias, ferns, cactus, chocolate trees, hibiscus and several fruit trees. But this place is not just for plant lovers, as it is delightful for bird lovers.
As everyone geared up to start the walks, a 22 inch black bird with a bright yellow chest and a bill the size of a banana (Chestnut-mandible Toucan), perched in front of the group and performed for our cameras on our first day in Costa Rica.
Toucans, parrots and macaws, among others quintessential birds from the Neotropics, are brightly colored and loud. But not all the Neotropical birds are so; its coloration depends on where a bird's habitat is. If they live in the understory they will be adorned with dark colors but they will be superb songsters so they can find partners, like the three and a half inch blue-crowned manakin that despite its size it a truly amazing bird. On the other hand, the birds that are brightly colored occupy the upper layers of the forest; they are attractive enough that they don’t need the added attraction of being wonderful singers. Mother Nature is very well balanced.
Living in the tropics is much easier than in temperate regions: there are not cold winters, food shortages, migration deadlines, and there is no need to change plumage because of summer or winter seasons, and no need to hibernate. There are not blooming or very specific breeding seasons. It is prosperous year round: there is always water, sun and food.
Today we soaked up all the extremes of the tropics: colorful birds, warm sunny mornings and powerful rain showers. Definitely a “life is good” day!
The first outtting of the day brought us to a little piece of heaven. A 70 hectare botanical garden, own and pampered by two expatriates from New Hampshire, Ron and Trudy McAllister. They arrived to this area over 25 years ago looking for a place far from the crowded cities.
The garden is a beautiful compilation of orquids, bromeliads, heliconias, ferns, cactus, chocolate trees, hibiscus and several fruit trees. But this place is not just for plant lovers, as it is delightful for bird lovers.
As everyone geared up to start the walks, a 22 inch black bird with a bright yellow chest and a bill the size of a banana (Chestnut-mandible Toucan), perched in front of the group and performed for our cameras on our first day in Costa Rica.
Toucans, parrots and macaws, among others quintessential birds from the Neotropics, are brightly colored and loud. But not all the Neotropical birds are so; its coloration depends on where a bird's habitat is. If they live in the understory they will be adorned with dark colors but they will be superb songsters so they can find partners, like the three and a half inch blue-crowned manakin that despite its size it a truly amazing bird. On the other hand, the birds that are brightly colored occupy the upper layers of the forest; they are attractive enough that they don’t need the added attraction of being wonderful singers. Mother Nature is very well balanced.
Living in the tropics is much easier than in temperate regions: there are not cold winters, food shortages, migration deadlines, and there is no need to change plumage because of summer or winter seasons, and no need to hibernate. There are not blooming or very specific breeding seasons. It is prosperous year round: there is always water, sun and food.
Today we soaked up all the extremes of the tropics: colorful birds, warm sunny mornings and powerful rain showers. Definitely a “life is good” day!
