Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
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Mandarin ducks are very striking in appearance. At least the male, he looks like he's wearing a costume.

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Siberian Tiger Tatiana
(2 of 94) (268610 views)

Black Crowned Crane
(3 of 94) (270016 views)

Ugly Bird
(4 of 94) (268691 views)

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
(5 of 94) (270617 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California   •  Photo Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Black Swan (cygnus atratus)
(6 of 94) (268495 views)

Grizzly (Ursus arctos)
(7 of 94) (268586 views)

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This is a swimming bear in the new Grizzly Gulch exhibit at the zoo. The zoo acquired two female Montana bears that were about to be euthanized. They had become too used to humans and couldn't be released back into the wild.

Their new home is a well designed habitat and hopefully all the exhibits there can be brought up to this standard.

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Black and White Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata variegata)
(8 of 94) (268712 views)

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The lemurs at the zoo have a large natural exhibit that gives them many opportunities to climb, relax and relate to one another.

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Flamingos
(9 of 94) (269883 views)

Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
(10 of 94) (270066 views)

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The male Bufflehead is a strikingly beautiful bird. There were several on the lake this summer-like day, having a good time diving to avoid the photographer.

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(2008) Lake Merritt, Oakland, California   •  Photo Posted Sunday, February 17, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Western Grebe
(11 of 94) (269974 views)

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There were many Western Grebes on the lake. They were more wary of people than the ducks and kept their distance.

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American White Pelican
(12 of 94) (280754 views)

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
(13 of 94) (271125 views)

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There were many male and female Goldeneyes out on the lake that day. This is a very handsome male. Goldeneyes are closely related to Buffleheads and are also found in Scotland and Great Britain.

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Goldeneye
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This is a female Goldeneye showing how differently the genders appear. No flashy white duds for this lady.

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Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
(15 of 94) (269075 views)

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This is a male Canvasback duck resting in the water. You can't see the long red neck in this photo but I like the pose anyway.

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Canvasback female
(16 of 94) (269906 views)

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Here is the mate of yesterday's male Canvasback. She is in almost the exact same pose that he, but here you can see her paler, gentler colors.

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Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
(17 of 94) (269617 views)

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This is a very cute little diving bird . When they come up after a dive they puff up their posterior so it looks like a big powder puff. Then right before they dive, they bring those feathers close to their body and the powder puff becomes a streamlined torpedo.

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Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)
(18 of 94) (268526 views)

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Greater Scaups are very common in the Bay Area. This is a male.

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Greater Scaup
(19 of 94) (269085 views)

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This is the female scaup. Much more muted in coloration than yesterdays male.

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Lesser Scaup
(20 of 94) (269573 views)

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The male lesser scaup is almost identical to the male greater scaup. The head of the lesser gleams purple whereas the greater gleams green. Supposedly the lesser is also smaller than the greater, but I haven't found that to be so.

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Lesser Scaup
(21 of 94) (270106 views)

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Here is the female lesser scaup. The mate of yesterday's male.

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Bufflehead
(22 of 94) (270863 views)

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This is a photo of a female Bufflehead. She definitely has a quieter look than her handsome but flashy mate.

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(2008) Lake Merritt   •  Photo Posted Sunday, March 2, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
(23 of 94) (268674 views)

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The red squirrels in Germany don't look like the squirrels here. Get a load of those ear tufts!

This shot was back lit and little more than a silhouette, but it was the only close-up I got. So I digitally adjusted it much more than I would normally.

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Anna's Hummingbird
(24 of 94) (270113 views)

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Yesterday in Palo Alto was chilly and grey for the most part. Fortunately the sun came out once in a while and highlighted this wonderful little bird while it fed.

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(2008) Palo Alto Bird Sanctuary, California   •  Photo Posted Saturday, March 15, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)
(25 of 94) (269508 views)

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A very understated but beautiful duck. There is also an American Wigeon but I haven't personally seen one yet.

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Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
(26 of 94) (270113 views)

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The Fieldfare is about the size of an American Robin and its movements are similar. It took me quite a while to identify it as I had never heard of a Fieldfare before.

According to Wikipedia the name comes from "feld-fere meaning "traveller through the fields", probably from their constantly moving, foraging habits."

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Butterfly
(27 of 94) (268563 views)

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A rare opportunity to see and photograph these colorful creatures. Butterfly in German is Schmetterling.

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White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
(28 of 94) (277348 views)

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I was quite taken with this two foot tall, chicken-turkey-like bird. It's a ground dwelling native of eastern Africa.

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White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
(29 of 94) (269699 views)

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Here is a close up of yesterdays' subject.

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(2008) Stuttgart Zoo, Germany   •  Photo Posted Thursday, March 20, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
(30 of 94) (269816 views)

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These little birds were everywhere. They were always on the move, hopping, flitting, hanging upside down and really fun to watch.

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Great Tit (Parus major)
(31 of 94) (270286 views)

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The Great Tit is the most numerous bird in the parks of Karlsruhe and is related to the bird of yesterdays' posting. The Great is a little larger and bolder.

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Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix)
(32 of 94) (270302 views)

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The Chiloe Wigeon comes from, as its name suggests, Chile. The duck was curious and friendly even though it knew we weren't going to feed it. The "No feeding the animals" rule is strictly adhered to in Germany.

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Cormorant
(33 of 94) (281788 views)

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This bird is resting on an urn placed next to a reflecting pool inside the Stuttgart Zoo. It isn't caged and flew in on its own. I witnessed many herons, storks and cormorants fly into various enclosures to take advantage of the plentiful food supply.

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Grey Heron
(34 of 94) (269770 views)

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The Grey Heron is the European version of our Great Blue Heron and quite plentiful in the city of Stuttgart. I saw this one in a large city park where I was lucky to get this in-flight shot.

When we got to the Zoo, we discovered dozens of them perched in the trees. Others were perched on buildings ledges, while several were already nesting.

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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
(35 of 94) (269856 views)

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These storks were nesting in a very tall tree inside of the Karlsruhe Zoo. I took this photo from partway up the hill in the center of the park.

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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
(36 of 94) (269425 views)

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This photo was taken from high on the hill in the center of the zoo. It shows the storks nest in context.

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White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
(37 of 94) (270121 views)

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Yesterday's posting showed storks nesting in a tree. Here is a photo showing storks nesting on top of a building that was in the Stuttgart Zoo.

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Heermann's Gull
(38 of 94) (279287 views)

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
(39 of 94) (269536 views)

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Here is a shot of the male from yesterday's posting which shows the unusual feather formation over his back.

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Irish Wolfhound
(40 of 94) (269405 views)

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The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed of dog. It's hard to imagine this extremely gentle animal being used in war, but war is the original use for which they were bred.

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Bryan and Terry showing off their Segway skills.
(41 of 94) (268929 views)

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Amazing!! What a thrill!! Segways rock!

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Butterfly
(42 of 94) (268853 views)

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The Hall of Butterflies (Schmetterlingshalle) was one of my favorite spots in the Zoo.

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Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)
(43 of 94) (269171 views)

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This is a beautiful female camel. She has very petite furry ears.

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Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo)
(44 of 94) (269832 views)

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Although a large and very stately bird, this is actually the smallest variety of crane.

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Bar-headed Geese
(45 of 94) (269935 views)

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There is a small flock of these beautiful geese living on the small lake inside the zoo. Bar-headed geese were featured in the nature documentary "Winged Migration" which I highly reccomend.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
(46 of 94) (282739 views)

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Bald Eagles are very numerous in Dutch Harbor, where they live year round. They are used to people and you see them perched on dumpsters and piers, looking for an easy meal.

Bald comes from the Old English "pie-bald", which means partially white.

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Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus)
(47 of 94) (268855 views)

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Taken July 2007, this photo shows the summer coloring of the Arctic Fox. In winter it will be snow white.

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(2008) Unalasaka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska   •  Photo Posted Sunday, May 18, 2008   •  © 2008 Denver Welte

Wild Horses of Unalaska
(48 of 94) (268825 views)

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Part of the small herd of wild horses on the island. They were originally brought to the island about 12 years ago and then abandoned.

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Northern "Bullock's" Oriole (Icterus bullockii)
(49 of 94) (270759 views)

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I observed this female oriole as it fed and then flew into its nearby nest. It would remain in its nest a few minutes, then fly out again. The nest would have been invisible if not for the white egret feathers the orioles had used in its construction.

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Bullock's Oriole Nest
(50 of 94) (268747 views)

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This is the nest I referred to in my last blog.

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Black Crowned Night Heron
(51 of 94) (276811 views)

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It's breeding season again for the Night Herons and Snowy Egrets. Here is a Heron settling a property dispute with his Egret neighbor.

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Crow
(52 of 94) (269444 views)

(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California   •  Photo Posted Friday, May 30, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Mourning Dove
(53 of 94) (269869 views)

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The shy Mourning Dove reveals some lovely colors.

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Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius)
(54 of 94) (269878 views)

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My first day in the woods I heard woodpeckers but only glimpsed them from a distance. My second day was more successful and I saw several. Not close-up but close enough for a photo.

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Great Spotted Woodpecker
(55 of 94) (269784 views)

Western Gull Chick (Larus occidentalis)
(56 of 94) (268596 views)

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There is a large breeding colony of Western Gulls on the island which is fenced in for their protection. There were a couple of chicks near us and my husband was able to get their photo.

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Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
(57 of 94) (276689 views)

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A large fledgling appears mesmerized by the camera.

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Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
(58 of 94) (269711 views)

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Up close and personal with a curious ostrich.

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Chinese Crested
(59 of 94) (268509 views)

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It's an odd looking animal, but it's like any other dog, really.

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Standard Poodle
(60 of 94) (268217 views)

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Beautiful poodle with a decent haircut and a colorful back.

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Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
(61 of 94) (269353 views)

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Earlier this year the cliff swallows were busy feeding their young under the eaves of the Lucy Evans Interpretive Center.

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(2008) Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto, California   •  Photo Posted Friday, August 1, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
(62 of 94) (269932 views)

Howler Monkey
(63 of 94) (268416 views)

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On our way to Tortuguero on the eastern coast, the guide spotted a family of howler monkeys in the trees next to the road. The van stopped and we got out to watch them. The noise the howlers make is thunderous and can be heard for miles. So when I finally saw them, I was surprised by how small they turned out to be. Barely two feet or so tall.

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Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja, sometimes Ajaia ajaja)
(64 of 94) (269838 views)

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On our boat trip to Turtle Beach Lodge we saw many Roseate Spoonbills feeding near the banks. When they feed, they move their heads rapidly back and forth in the shallow water, making them look very industrious and a bit silly.

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(2008) River near Tortuguero, Costa Rica   •  Photo Posted Friday, October 3, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Long-nosed bat
(65 of 94) (275257 views)

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
(66 of 94) (270775 views)

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I have seen many black-crowned night herons but this was the first yellow-crowned I'd ever seen. They reside in Costa Rica year round.

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Juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
(67 of 94) (270791 views)

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This juvenile was perched directly across the canal from the adult bird I posted on this blog yesterday.

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Gray-necked Wood-Rail (aramides cajanea)
(68 of 94) (270056 views)

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We saw many wood rails and like the clapper rails, they are quite shy and quickly melt into the background as soon as they realize they are being noticed.

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Green Heron
(69 of 94) (269610 views)

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Green herons are abundant in Costa Rica. We saw them on both coasts and in a preserve near the center of Costa Rica. It took me a while to remember their name however, because they are hardly green at all.

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Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
(70 of 94) (270029 views)

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This was the first Toucan I saw in Costa Rica. A keel-billed or Fruit Loops Toucan.

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Black River Turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea)
(71 of 94) (268690 views)

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There are numerous Black River Turtles in the canals and rivers of Costa Rica. We stopped to view a caiman near the riverbank and this curious turtle came up to the boat. It was definitely used to people and was looking for a handout. Of course feeding the wildlife is frowned upon. It makes them dependent on humans and puts them at risk of disease and abuse.

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Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
(72 of 94) (269445 views)

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This prehistoric looking male Green Iguana appeared beautiful yet frightening.

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Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus)
(73 of 94) (269873 views)

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On my way breakfast I happened upon a hawk hunting near our room at the lodge. He had taken some small prey, yet he looked at me with little concern. A few seconds later he flew off.

The word plumbeous means leaden, dull. The hawk is half grey thereby clearly earning its name.

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Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)
(74 of 94) (269644 views)

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A female basilisk showed up at breakfast looking for a handout of food scraps. The kitchen staff were pleased to see it and urged us to give it food. Not a good thing for the lizard but very entertaining for guests.

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Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus)
(75 of 94) (268543 views)

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Unlike yesterday's bright green plumed basilisk, this brown one has a yellow stripe. Here the male shows off his crest.

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Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
(76 of 94) (268652 views)

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A caiman lived in the lodge marina and could almost always be seen hanging out in its far corner. We found out the marina staff were feeding it chicken scraps from the kitchen. I supppose feeding a caiman is much more exciting than feeding a stray dog or feral cat.

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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
(77 of 94) (270126 views)

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While canoeing to a nearby lagoon, we happened upon a flock of little blue herons taking flight. I originally thought the white one was another species but later discovered it did belong in the flock because it was a juvenile little blue heron.

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(2008) Cano del Palma, Costa Rica   •  Photo Posted Friday, October 17, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
(78 of 94) (269920 views)

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I saw this osprey dive into the river and come up with a fish. Unfortunately the image is not sharp because the boat was moving fast, the bird was far away and flying fast. I'm glad I at least got to see it.

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Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)
(79 of 94) (270503 views)

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Our guide Jaime was very excited to see these migratory Jabiru because they were a very rare sight. Jabiru are storks which stand four and a half feet tall. The ones we saw were sedate and seemed to be resting in the shade.

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Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
(80 of 94) (269693 views)

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There were many of these toucans in the forest surrounding the volcano. They traveled in small flocks and were easily seen and heard.

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(2008) Lomas del Volcan, Costa Rica   •  Photo Posted Monday, October 20, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
(81 of 94) (269669 views)

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Wood storks are common in this area, unlike the Jabiru. They aren't as tall as the Jabiru but equal them in their unusual appearance.

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Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)
(82 of 94) (269733 views)

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We saw a lot of these solitary herons on the trip. Although it's called bare throated, you can't see that detail in this flying shot.

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Roseate Spoonbill
(83 of 94) (270626 views)

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I was focusing my attention on the spoonbill but good lord! Look at the length of the neck on that egret!

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and Great Egret (2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica   •  Photo Posted Thursday, October 23, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)
(84 of 94) (269840 views)

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This swallow is one of a pair we saw from the boat. They patiently remained perched for several minutes while everyone photographed them.

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Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons)
(85 of 94) (268426 views)

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On the bank was a gorgeous male basilisk. Observe from the color change that he was still shedding his skin.

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Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
(86 of 94) (269658 views)

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Anhingas look a lot like cormorants. They differ in that they have straight not hooked bills, longer tails and necks, and have silver-white markings on their wings. This was a female. A male would have had a black neck.

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Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
(87 of 94) (269564 views)

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The light color of this bird indicates that it is a juvenile. The adult of this bird is all black. Neotropic is the only species of cormorant that resides in Costa Rica.

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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
(88 of 94) (270561 views)

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The Little Blue was the prettiest heron I saw in Costa Rica. Its body was blue, the neck a purplish color and it always appeared very graceful. We saw them in every region we visited.

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(2008) Cano Negro, Costa Rica   •  Photo Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2008   •  © 2008 Terry Costales

Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
(89 of 94) (270024 views)

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The mangrove tour's pilot and guide were very supportive of our photographic efforts. This little bird either flew away as soon as the boat moved close, or hid invisibly in the bushes. Near the tours end, one bird thankfully stayed still long enough for me to get this photo.

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Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
(90 of 94) (268683 views)

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This poor Caiman probably wished he was invisible. As the boat came closer, he slowly moved from exposure on the mud bank and into the welcoming murky water.

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Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
(91 of 94) (269919 views)

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You only need to glimpse the bill of this bird to know exactly why it is called boat-billed.

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Rufescent Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum)
(92 of 94) (270933 views)

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I knew at the time this was a Tiger Heron, but a kind I hadn't seen before. Later I identified it as Rufescent Tiger Heron, where rufescent simply means red.

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Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)
(93 of 94) (269821 views)

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When the Jacanas fly they display bright yellow patches on their wings. Despite there being so many of them, we never got a shot of one flying

They are known for "walking on water", because their very long toes allow them to walk on floating vegetation. Unfortunately, the ones we saw were in the mud the whole time and so we never witnessed this behavior.

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Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii)
(94 of 94) (269732 views)

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The only motmot seen on this trip appeared just after dawn. The tree in which it was perched was a favorite of several species. Unfortunately, the motmot's gorgeous colors were not visible from this angle, but the unique tail feathers were.

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