Sunrise in Osa

Morning in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica

I missed an amazing sunset photo the other night. That's what happens when you don't bring your camera folks! And I didn't have to travel to Costa Rica to see/miss it. It was in my own backyard. Or close to it. At lake Harriet. Lately, when the sun grazes the tree line, it is a glowing pink fireball. Due to the smoky skies over our heads. 

I took this smoky sunset photo earlier this summer. Surreal!

You can call me a lot of things. But don't call me late for sunrise. Because I never am. Not when the fireworks are right outside my room. And it doesn't hurt that at Iguana Lodge, great coffee and  tasty food await the early riser. Plus, if you saw last week's post, that's when you see and hear the most bird action. Who could sleep through that? Well, a lot of people. But not me. 

Morning is the best time of day!

Happy Labor day blogging friends!

Creature Feature

So what kind of creatures did we find in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica? This red crowned parrot was mugging for the camera. 

He was watching us while we watched him.

And he has a lot of friends in Osa.  There is always a green parrot chirping over the heavens.

A croc peaked above the waters of a creek.

Do you like my vampiro mask?

The monkeys played in the thick jungle trees.  We saw huge packs of squirrel monkeys chasing each other through the forest. One pack numbered well over 50.  But there is no rest for the wickedly cute. So it is hard to get a crisp shot.  Osa is an amazing monkey play ground. A real jungle gym.

I used a vampiro faced squirrel monkey as my muse for my Maya Monkey illustrations!

A king fisher fished from the spindly trees.

A black vulture blessed us with his fierce presence.

An Aracari was down to the wire.

And of course there were hungry Scarlet Macaws.  But you already knew that!

Next week be sure to check back for a serene Osa Sunrise. And for more on Osa check out my Costa Rica Labels!

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

The Road to the Nesting Tree

We drove out into cow country on a mission to find the fondly remembered Scarlet Macaw nesting tree near Puerto Jimenez. We discovered this special tree years earlier during our stay in the remote and wonderful Osa Penninsula of Costa Rica.  

Osa is situated off the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  The nearby Corcovado park has been called the most ecologically intense place on earth. Osa is a refuge for the nature lover that likes things wild and well off the heavily rutted tourist track.

 So did we find the tree?  Yes.  But the Macaws weren't nesting there yet.  We did decide that these floppy eared cows were enjoying some prime ocean side real estate though.

Here's the tree photo from the previous trip.  The Scarlet Macaw couples were trying to decide who would get this prime nesting site.

Eucalyptus trees always add a touch of wonderland to the scene.  This is how it looked on one side of the road.

And the ocean side was pasture.  Pasture that is prime ocean front property.  That's what I love about Osa.  It's one of the only places I've visited in Costa Rica where you can still get a quiet and rustic experience away from lots of tourists and construction. There's more monkeys and birds here than people! I like how the cattle egret is hidden in the center of this photo.

This white hawk has found a lazy friend. And a soft perch to spot potential victims.

We may not have found new nesting macaws, but we found some curious cows enjoying some shade and tranquility.  I'm glad we're older and wiser too.  The last time we drove down this bumpy road we were heading for a remote beach.  This time the road was our destination. 

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

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