Costa Rican Adventure Day 9

We had a lie in today and had breakfast at 0730 hrs! We then travelled to the cloud forest area of Bosque de Paz. This is in the shadow of Poas volcano and has steep wooded valleys. The journey was interesting as we kept stopping to see birds we had not already viewed. We saw some lovely Keel-billed Toucans, a Laughing Falcon, Grey Hawk, Broad -winged Hawk, three-toed sloth and some lovely dairy cows and a very angry bull (the area is known for milk production).

Broad-winged Hawk

We then arrived at our lodge, Bosque de Paz, set in the rolling tree lined hills. It is a small family run establishment that only has about 8 rooms and caters for eco tourists seeking an alternative to the cloud forest area of Monteverde. As soon as we arrived we were amazed by the humming birds feeding on numerous sugar water feeders placed around the garden. They would fly right by your ears with throbbing buzzing sound. The colours change as you watch as the light catches their iridescent feathers at different angles. There were other birds feeding on fruit left out on platforms and feeders. So many colours and varieties it makes your head spin.

Purple Throated Mountain Gem (female)

Green Crowned Brilliant (female)

Violet Sabre Wing

We then had a lovely lunch and then got changed ready for our walk along the trails in the forest. Due to the colour and thickness of the foliage it makes spotting any birds difficult, but we did see some lovely little fly catchers and warblers and a trogan. Unfortunately no Quetzel today.

Collared Red Start

We returned to the lodge to find a dozen large black guan on the lawn along with an agouti and coatamundi feeding on the leftovers from the bird table.

Coatamundi 

Black Guan

Agouti

It was soon dinner time, another lovely meal brought the day to a close. Everyone is quite tired, a mixture of time difference, early starts and excitement taking its toll! Tomorrow we are doing some more trails and taking in a forest waterfall and of course some more birds!