The journey from Monteverde to Quepos took about three and a half hours, but we did have a stop at a supermarket in Puntarenas, and we noticed immediately the complete change in temperature, it was warm.
The journey took us across the River Tarcoles bridge and the famous American Crocodiles that haul out on the mud or swim in the water. There didn't appear to be as many as on previous visits, but they still look mean and threatening.
we were staying at the Arenas del Mar resort which was just outside the town of Quepos and alongside the national park of Manuel Antonio. We had stayed here on our last visit and were visited overnight by the mafia monkeys, so were prepared as to what to do on this visit.
The view from the main restaurant of the peninsula at Manuel Antonio.
We checked in to our room and were rewarded with an incredible sea view.
We had no plans here, there is a wonderful beach and we were going to take advantage of the facilities and relax. The first afternoon was spent around the pool, and when the sun went down there was a spectacular sunset.
The next day was spent on the beach and for once the camera stayed in the room, and of course we were visited by two Scarlet Macaws in an Almond tree above us! The second day I got it out and spent sometime exploring along the beach. The views from the beach around to Manuel Antonio were quite spectacular.
The sea was lovely and warm and I spent a lot of time body boarding in the surf, something I didn't expect to do at my age, but it was great fun.
The view looking to the right hand side of the beach.
The cliffs to the right, overwhich the Turkey and Black Vultures would soar.
The sun reflecting in the ocean as it washed up the beach.
One of the many Turkey Vultures that flew over the beach looking for anything to eat. They would come lower when the restaurant started up for lunch.
The Black Vulture were more likely to be seen flying in pairs.
At low tide the beach would be full of crabs, this is a Painted Ghost Crab. THey can be found along Pacific coasts from El Salvador all the way down to Chile. They live in burrows on the wet sand. The creation of the burrows includes characteristic behaviours
and utilize both wet and dry sediment. The Ghost Crabs have been
observed disposing of unwanted or unused sediments when building burrows with a
kick, dump, or tamp behaviour. Sand dug from the burrows are deposited by
kicking or dumping while the deposited sand is manipulated by tamping. Tamping
involves applying pressure to the sand using the ambulatory legs and all
residents of tamped burrows are males.
The other carb seen on the beach and around the rocks were Hermit Crabs. These were a collection of sizes and colours due to the sea shells the crabs used to live in. We were hoping to witness an exchange of shells, but never managed to see it.
I was constantly checking the birds soaring over the cliffs to the right and was rewarded when an Osprey appeared.
Off shore there was a large rock known as La Rocas "The Rock". Over it you could see Magnificent Frigatebirds and Brown Boobys. I managed to get a very distant silhouette of a Booby on the rock.
Another surprise that took some working out was a Swainson's Hawk that flew over the trees above the beach. This is a winter migrant coming from North America. The stripes on the underwing and the white specs on the belly would mean that this is an immature bird.
On our last visit there were sloths both at the beach and in the trees around the buildings. Today there were two Three-toed Sloths in one of the palm trees. They hardly moved the whole time we were there and it was difficult to get a view of the face. The two together.
This was the best view of the lowest sloth.
The previous day a Brown Pelican spent time fishing in the shallow water around the rocks, it was back again to day.
The sunshine can make them look either light or dark in plumage.
The colour of the sea reflecting on the underwing.
Pelicans are amazing flyers and able to use the lift from the water, here cruising past me.
It wasn't concerned by my presence.
And would dive into the shallow water with people still in the water.
Named Brown Pelican for the brown stripe at the back of the neck.
I was trying to get the dive and it did not make it easy as it would fish around the rocks which was a dark area. I think this shot adds some atmosphere to the pelican.
Unfortunately our time in paradise was coming to an end, we were eating on the beach this evening and just managed to get to the beach as the sunset on our day and time here.
A few more new birds here took the trip list to 158 and the lifers to 56.
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