In my earlier posts from our time spent at La Carolina Lodge I mentioned that our hosts grew or raised most of the food we ate. Thus, their extensive acreage included a working farm which bordered the rainforest up in the highlands. Most mornings I would hike and bird the fields. Perhaps this post should have been titled “The Attack of the Southern Lapwings”!

On a late afternoon hike before supper I spotted a family of four Crested Caracaras. The “Mexican Eagles” (another name for the Caracaras) were posing nicely for me, but in my excitement to get in position to take some photographs I failed to pay attention to the loud bird song very near me. Major mistake! Within moments I was under attack, being dived bombed within inches of my head by a pair of Southern Lapwings. These somewhat large shorebirds are noted for occasionally nesting in farm fields (Wikipedia Link). Anyhow, in my attempt to get a good angle on the Caracaras I obviously got to close to the Lapwings nest, which I until their attack did not even realize was near. Live, Learn and Run! (yes … I made a very quick exit).

• My book on Costa Rica Birding will be significantly updated in May to include information from this current trip. Anyone may download a “full version PDF copy“ without charge of my current version. When available, version 2 PDF’s will also be available at no cost.

Crested Caracaras (bird with tannish brown head is a youngster)

Southern Lapwings (after attacking me)

Today is the second in my posts about our time up at La Carolina Lodge, an eco-tourism rainforest lodge (read part 1) located in the Costa Rican Rainforest Highlands. While waiting and watching for the Yellow-Throated Toucan in the pouring rain, a pair of birds flew in to the bananas. I immediately thought … cool … another toucan species, just smaller! I was introduced to the Collared Aracari. While not as large as its cousin, this bird spelled “cool” in terms of appearance. Better yet, it also liked bananas. (wikipedia link)

• My book on Costa Rica Birding will be significantly updated in May to include information from this current trip. Anyone may download a “full version PDF copy“ without charge of my current version. When available, version 2 PDF’s will also be available at no cost.

Collared Aracari (Toucan Two or Too!)

Collared Aracari … The Movie! (video link for email subscribers)

And more pics …

Molly and I have been off the grid for four days at a beautiful rainforest lodge, La Carolina Lodge, in the uplands / highlands of Costa Rica near Volcano National Park. The nearest small town was Bijagua de Upala. I am now set up at my brother’s home overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Las Catalinas (NY Times Article). My brother was part of the initial investment team that explored the land by horseback in 2006! Subscribe to this blog if you wish to automatically see my future Costa Rican Birding posts (and much more). You’ll note this blog has zero advertising and the PDF’s of my books are even free! I love birding, am a wildlife naturalist in northern Minnesota and just want to share my love of birds.

This post will start a series of entries that focus upon our rainforest lodge experience. Let me just note, I loved La Carolina Lodge, but if you are looking for a fancy resort with rooms which speak “luxury” and have WiFi, TV’s, Air Conditioning, etc … this is not the place for you. However, if you would enjoy our cabin which was very basic but included a deck overlooking a small mountain river, and the idea of a “eco-tourism lodge which is a working farm with both pastures and rain forest acreage, this is the place for you. La Carolina describes themselves in the manner:  “Our cabins are designed to create a unique “off the grid experience”. Nestled on the eastern slopes of Volcano Tenorio, our accommodations are surrounded by magical scenic views. Our guests can enjoy a refreshing swim in our crystal clear river, relax in our one-of-a-kind wood-fired hot tub, sun on the deck, walk through our lush tropical forest, bird watch while sitting in comfort on the veranda, horse ride through our meadows, milk cows, and so much more.” La Carolina even raises / grows almost all the food we ate at the lodge!

Needless to say … I focused upon the birding! My initial post is the Yellow-Throated Toucan! I loved Fruit Loops as a child in the 1960’s, and being introduced to Toucan Sam was exciting. My first morning at the lodge I sat in the pouring rain for over two hours watching some bananas which had been placed out by the staff early in the morning. I was excited out of this world when the toucan arrived. This post is about the Toucan!!! By the end of our four days I had even figured out where Poppa Toucan would fly to feed fresh bananas to his mate, Mamma Toucan! (just like Great Gray Owl males catch and deliver voles to their mate just before the start of nesting season)

• My book on Costa Rica Birding will be significantly updated in May to include information from this current trip. Anyone may download a “full version PDF copy“ without charge of my current version. When available, version 2 PDF’s will also be available at no cost.

Yellow-Throated Toucan

Toucan, the Movie! (email subscribers … see video)

More Pics!