Take Me to Iggy L

Car parking here.  Horse parking across the street!

We're answering the siren call of the Osa Peninsula by car.  Our destination?  Iguana Lodge.  We stayed at a place in Belize affectionately nicknamed Iggy J a few years ago. That was short for Iguana Junction.  Needless to say, I departed that dump with more than disgust, I also had a new nickname for it, Icky J.  But there is a place that deserves an affectionate moniker.  And Iggy L for Iguana Lodge is mine. 

Over the hills and through the woods...

And soon you'll find Iguana Lodge.

I took this photo at Iggy L

Just follow the Scarlet Macaws.  They find Iggy L irresistible.  They like to munch all day in the trees out front.

I sat on this balcony reading the book Gone Girl, giving my toes some breathing room and my camera a steady workout.  As soon as I heard the obnoxious caterwauling of the big red birds I sprung into action.  Really...

The Scarlets would fly in pairs over this maze all day.  Is this the Garden of Eden?  No.  But close. It's Costa Rica.  God did an amazing job creating this place.  I'll give him that.

But I didn't spend all my time watching birds.  Well, almost.  But the beach called to me and my toes.  "Walk me," it whispered.

The Sun danced on the Peninsula.

 At night the fires exploded!  And did I mention the food?  "Take me back to Iggy L," I demand smiling.  If all roads led there I'd die happy.

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Charlie Brown Tree

What's so special about this Costa Rica Charlie Brown tree?

It harbored the cutest little nest.  And it was in use!

My husband was very concerned that I would disturb the nest with my obtrusive photography.  Doesn't he know me by now?  I always zoom in from a safe distance.  The birds and animals are much less likely to run/fly off.  And of course I don't want to disturb them.  Good grief hubbie.  Have you met me yet?  This little one was waiting for Mom.

Here she is.  I love how she is cocking her head, curious about her new found paparazzi.

The feeding session.

And the plea for More, More, More!

This is my first Costa Rica post from our 2015 trip.  Although, I included my new header shot in a group Scarlet Macaw post earlier this spring. I can't wait to share more of the exotic beauty, rolling landscapes, turquoise seascapes, fiery sunsets, golden sunrises, splashy flora and gentle fauna that we experienced this year. 

There are the grand travel experiences that overwhelm you, but if you keep your eyes open, there are the lowly Charlie Brown trees that charm you. 

 I hope you'll stay tuned for more over the coming year.

Next year it's Panama!

Happy Memorial Day!

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Spring Fling!

Move over green.  Get ready for a color explosion!  I just wish crab apple season would never end.  It would be like living in a Thomas Kinkade painting.

A popular perch.  I count 11.

A Blue Jay nest.  I know because I saw them building it at Como Lake. 

A perky Robin.

The skies the limit at the Lake Harriet Rose Gardens.

Stroll here...

Look here...

Over yonder sits my new electric bike!

It's tulip time!  

At this point the last of the crab apple petals have fluttered to the ground. But there is still a whiff of sweet lilacs floating in the city air. Catch it while you can...

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Pampered Pets

My moon phase.  Get it?

Pets is the theme over at www.illustrationfriday.com this week.  I searched and searched and finally came up with an old image from the archives.  Ha!  It wasn't so much of a search, but more like navigating a flood of picks.  I selected my lowly couch kitty only because I haven't posted it in a span of 9 lives.  And everything else including the kitty and the kitchen sink, I have.  

Here's my very own couch kitty.  Hana doesn't like to get up from purrfectly good cat naps. I don't blame her.  But some of us have work to do!  On this occasion I vacummed all around and up and down before finally pulling the bottom cushion right out from under her.  There's one last cushion to clean.  Hmmmm.  I wonder which one that could be.

Spring Greening

These weeping willow vines caught my eye this Spring.  They were so luminous against a deep blue sky.

Reflections of wispy Aspens.

Some early migrants floated by almost out of camera range..

A newborn snapping turtle scuttled across the road.

Two dudes running...

Wood Lake then....

Wood Lake now.  Things are getting thicker, lush and super green.  I heard plenty of Spring frogs humming and croaking on this walk.  They can create a pretty deafening backdrop of sound. And Kermet would certainly approve of all this color.

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Duluth

fish eye lens

I love the movement in this photo. I went on a Duluth waterfront photo safari while my husband was doing a 26.2 mile inline Marathon along the North shore last Fall.  It was a beautiful crisp morning.

Sunbathing

There is no shortage of gulls to photograph.  This one caught my eye because he chose to sleep in the middle of an empty parking lot all alone.  

What lies beneath...

Can you guess what these are?  They light up the iconic lift bridge at night.

Some local color.

Something old.

I had some fun framing the lighthouse inside these loops.

A pigeon in a puddle.

Yikes!  This spider was even scarier in person.  In fact, I didn't even know Minnesota had such huge spiders.  He was at least 3 inches across.  Luckily, I'm on a new photo safari with the hubbs in tow.  At J. Cook State Park.  Hopefully he can save me from spider attacks.  Uff da.

Jungle shrooms.  O.K.  Minnesota doesn't have jungles or tarantulas.  But our woods are just as thick.

Raging Mountain rivers.  O.K. we might not have Mountains either.  Darn.  But we can be Minnesota Wild.

P.S. You can also find my favorite Duluth photos at my Up to the Duluth category over at My 3rd Eye  And just scroll down for more Duluth photos!

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Piggly Wiggly

Have you ever been to a Piggly Wiggly?  Well, if you haven't and you don't know what a P.W. is, here's a hint...You can buy ham there.  And Kraft products if you are so inclined.  This illustrated recipe was done for a Sargento contest.  Oops, I mean Kraft.  Obviously. And the hula pigs are wiggling and waving and having a grand old beach day.  If only they knew what's in a sandwich.  Da Dum.  All hell would break loose.  They might even give the wraith of Pele a run for her money.

Wiggle is the theme for www.illustrationfriday.com this week.