I am finally catching up on processing photographs, and these images are from the rain forest. The Montezuma Oropendola is approximately the size of a Raven, and nests within HUGE colonies very high up in extremely tall trees. The nests are over 3 feet long, and in any given colony there will be 30 to 50 nests. I assume the large nests prevent predators from reaching their young. Hopefully these images will help folks understand this amazing, and noisy nesting colony. (My thanks to Janet, a faithful reader of this site who contacted me to point out I had my Oropendolas messed up! These “sky nesters” are the Montezuma variety, not Chestnut-Headed. Thanks, Janet!)

Montezuma Oropendola Nesting Colony … Parent Arriving

More Colony Images …

And just because I like photos of Yellow-Throated Toucans … from the Rain Forest … hopping, flowers and bananas! Down the hatch!

I follow my own advice with regards to habitat! In yesterday’s post I explained about the benefits of birding the “Dry Creek Beds” of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This morning I was waiting BEFORE sunrise for the golden orb to sends its rays over the steep hill tops to my east. More specifically I was waiting near a tree where I had seen White-Fronted Amazon Parrots feeding the prior morning. It was obvious the parrots knew the long hanging brown “packets” on the tree were food. I hoped and expected the birds would be back at sunrise to feed. I was not disappointed, and even by my standards captured dramatic, beautiful light photographs. (read my description of dry water creek habitat in yesterday’s post). My images published here provide examples ranging from habitat landscapes to flight shots. As a fyi, the sun’s rays were not yet even illuminating the bottom of this tree when I took the sequence of photographs. It was truly the moment of sunrise which I captured because of prior research and planning.

White-Fronted Amazon Parrots

Most folks bird the rain forests in the central and Caribbean regions of Costa Rica, but plenty of enjoyment may be found in the dry forests of Guanacaste. Like elsewhere in the world where one is in extremely dry habitats, find the water, but remember … sometimes the water is present even when it may not be seen! Towards the end of the dry season in the dry forest habitats of Costa Rica, there will almost never be water in the creeks. However, when heavy rains arrive during the Rainy Season, waters seep deep into the ground, and often will still be present underground even after several months of the dry season. The dry creek beds will be obvious, and if the surrounding trees have leaves … bingo! These trees may also have nuts and fruits which the birds will use for their meals! Don’t forget to check out where the dry creeks enter the ocean. Often there will be tidal pools which recharge with the changing of the tides. While we humans are not able to survive on these brackish waters, other animals and insects have amazing tolerances. Finally, if you find a “fresh water trickle”, mark the spot. It is guaranteed animals and birds also know where the actual freshwater exists … no matter how small the source.

Las Catalinas Dry Creek Bed & Small Tidal Pool

Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (immature)

Boat-Billed Flycatcher

Canivet’s Emerald Hummingbird

Chestnut-Capped Warbler

Great-Tailed Grackle

Northern Waterthrush

Painted Bunting (female or immature)

Rufous-Backed Wren

Squirrel-Tailed Cuckoo

Summer Tanager

Tropical Kingbird

Turquoise-Browed Mot Mot

Wilson’s Warbler

Orange-Chinned Parakeet

Stripe-Headed Sparrow