Capris

The last two days of banding in Costa Rica were spectacular, with 49 birds (of 21 species) the first day and 38 birds (of 18 species) on the second, including two White-throated Spadebills, a Scintillant Hummingbird, a bunch of Fiery-throated and Magnificents, our first Northern Waterthrush, our second Streak-breasted Treehunter, and more Nightinggale Thrushes than I ever wanted to see.

This was the only picture I got of the two spadebills because both seemed ready to perish at the sight of a camera...but LOOK AT THAT BILL!


Hummingbirds will cling to anything they can get their paws on, including their own wings and bills, like this monster playing the trombone.


Me and my 2.2 gram buddy, weighting in at less than a penny.


This was our third Scintillant of the season, but our first male, distinctly different from the equally tiny Volcano by the orange gorget.


Streak-breasted Treehunter


Ah yes, we also had lots of Yellow-thighed Finches. I think they look more like they're wearing capris.


A good net run of the day.

White-throated Spadebill

We're back in San Jose now, then off to Tortuguero tomorrow, where we'll meet up with Amanda's grandma and friends! This is the grandmother that went out banding with us in Bolinas over the summer and was gracious enough to lug a new lens down here for me, THANK YOU BEE!

Good times in the mountains! A few new species caught and seen, including Magnificent Hummingbirds, Long-tailed Silky Flycatchers, a Buff-fronted Quail Dove, and Slaty Flowerpiercers.

This was definitely the bird of the week though. It was the first of the day on a really windy morning and none of us had even seen one in the times we'd been up at Madre Selva, so it was obviously a winner.

White-throated Spadebill