Nature Shots

Much of what we enjoy about Costa Rica is the nature all around us.  We have always been excited with nature, birds, flora & fauna, majestic mountains, rivers, lakes and more.  So much of what we have around us each day is why we chose to move to Costa Rica.   Here are just a few recent pictures of wildlife and beauty around our home. 

This Water Apple Tree is right outside our windows.  Here it is blooming with amazing hot pink pompoms that attract hummingbirds by the dozens, maybe even a hundred at a time.  Smaller song birds like warblers, euphonias and honeycreppers also are in abundance while this tree is in bloom, not to mention all the bees.  We love our water apple tree because it is a bird magnet.  When the fruit ripen we will have all new types of wildlife visiting. 

One of our favorite visitors to the Water Apple Tree are Cusingas

 (Aracai in English) which are smaller cousins to the toucans. 

 

Toucan  -- John took this pic while standing on our veranda.

 

 

Slaty-tailed Trogan 

Spotted this bird while sitting on our veranda having coffee.

 

 

Trogan-Same bird as above from the front, red chest.

  

 

Flower that looks and feels like wax with a blue butterfly.

 

Palm trees with small fruit, there are many types of palms

 

 

White-Faced or Capuchin Monkey at a beach

 

 

Armadillo in our yard.  Look at those cute little ears!

 

 

Spot-crowned Euphonia, hangs just outside our window for hours, fighting with its reflection.

 

 

Butterfly coming for a drink on our carport

 

We are easily entertained with the nature around us.

 Living in the jungles in the mountains of Costa Rica is amazing. 

Fun With Our Family

Our daughter Andrea, her husband Tony and their friend Shefali, came to visit a few weeks ago.  It was so much fun to have them all here, loved having them.  Here are just a few pictures of the experiences they had visiting fantastic Costa Rica! Oh I hated to see them leave!

 

Fabulous Manuel Antonio National Park

 

 The water is always so warm.

Nothing like what North Americans expect from oceans and lakes. 

 

 Local swimming hole and river; only one mile from our village.  Bottom is all rock so no muck!

 

Andrea on Tarzan Swing

 

Andrea on Zip Line

 

 

Shefali on Zip Line

 

Another local sight, check out that boulder wedged in at the top!

 

 

 

Andrea and Tony had a request of a Tico Style dinner with some of our local Tico friends.  So Cecelia, Lorena (and Aldemar pitched in) were happy to cater a wonderful meal and bring some family along.  I think we had around 20 people, great Latin music and fantastic food!! 

 Our day at Playa (Beach) Ventanas (means windows)

This cave at the beach is about 300 feet long.  Best to go at low tide. 

 

Playa Ventanas with Andrea, Tony, Shefali and John climbing the rocks along the  coast.

 

Costa Rica is indeed Vacation Land!  So much to see and do.   Each day was easy to fill up with activities and sights.  We also made sure they got to experience our fabulous San Isidro Farmers Market.  Andrea said it was a bit overwhelming; we have heard this comment before, it really is HUGE!

Other days we went to another waterfall swimming hole, experienced terrific mountain driving with great views of miles and miles of Costa Rica scenery, hikes into the jungles (on paths of course), river walks and watching Costa Rican wildlife.  Just the drive to the Southern Zone takes you through miles and miles of plantations of palms for palm oil, beautiful mountains, along the Pacific Ocean, through authentic working Tico towns and little beach towns to shop for souvenirs.  Next time Andrea said she would like to relax more on our veranda!!