I would like to extend a very warm welcome to a new family in our community! Brandon, Daina and Neko have officially made the move to Nosara, and we are thrilled to have them.
Dinner at La Luna with (l-r)Andrew, Daina & Neko, Brandon, Erik, Sarah & Kemper
Brandon is joining the Surfing Nosara team; with his photojournalism and computer skills, he will be a perfect addition to the team. His outgoing and likable personality make him a great addition to the community. PLUS Sarah and Kemper have new friends! Daina and Neko are quickly becoming some of our closest friends. Neko is now 11 months old- and her energy and spunk rival that of Kemper.....I think we're in for a fun ride with the two of them!
The boys....
A candid shot of the girls....
We have also been blessed lately with some unusual wildlife viewing; in the past two weeks I have noticed three new bird species. Unfortunately, our camera was not handy at the time of the birds' visits- but I will share photos gathered from the internet (thanks Wikipedia!) to explain what we have seen.
The first encounter was with a bare-throated tiger heron, who was gracefully walking down the end of our street. Unlike the egrets and other herons that we have come to be familiar with here in Nosara, this beauty had a rich, dark coat, and a wide throat covered with mottled feathers. I would guess that if I could have stood next to him, his head would have reached my mid-thigh. He was a big and beautiful bird.
The next encounter was with a bird that the locals call "Chichiron". I was sitting in the Oasis having lunch with friends, when we were all drawn out of our seats and away from our food in search of the bird that made the loudest, most distinct call that I have ever heard. It took us a few moments to locate the bird- we caught a glimpse of the long tailfeathers, and I thought for a second that perhaps it was a Magpie Jay.....but the call was louder and more sonorous. If you have ever heard a Magpie Jay (in the blue bird family)- then you can understand how loud the 'Chichiron' is! We found him after a few minutes hopping along the ground. He was a large deep-fawn colored bird with a very lovely blue head. I tried to snap a photo, but he kept moving further and further away....He reminded me of an oversized pheasant.
Here is a photo of a grey-necked wood-rail....this photo most resembled the bird that we saw.....
The last encountered happened yesterday as I was sitting in our lawn using the internet (no....we cannot get a clear enough signal from the satellite indoors...ugh). Anyhow, once I stopped paying attention to the very loud and ever present Howlers, I noticed a gorgeous tiny blue tanager on a branch of the Pichote tree right above me. What a cute little songbird!
We were also graced with the presence of this 'momma spider' in our bathroom last night. Erik was kind enough to capture and release her outdoors (my maternal feelings are in overdrive lately....I couldn't bear the thought of slaughtering a mother and her newborns, no matter the species!)
Kemper playing with her best buddies, Mirian and her daughter Maria Jose:
Our house is coming right along....walls are up- roof should start early next week! We are very impressed with the progress- good work Pablo!
The walls are being covered with their first rough-coat...
Kemper says, "this is MY house!!"
Dinner at La Luna with (l-r)Andrew, Daina & Neko, Brandon, Erik, Sarah & Kemper
Brandon is joining the Surfing Nosara team; with his photojournalism and computer skills, he will be a perfect addition to the team. His outgoing and likable personality make him a great addition to the community. PLUS Sarah and Kemper have new friends! Daina and Neko are quickly becoming some of our closest friends. Neko is now 11 months old- and her energy and spunk rival that of Kemper.....I think we're in for a fun ride with the two of them!
The boys....
A candid shot of the girls....
We have also been blessed lately with some unusual wildlife viewing; in the past two weeks I have noticed three new bird species. Unfortunately, our camera was not handy at the time of the birds' visits- but I will share photos gathered from the internet (thanks Wikipedia!) to explain what we have seen.
The first encounter was with a bare-throated tiger heron, who was gracefully walking down the end of our street. Unlike the egrets and other herons that we have come to be familiar with here in Nosara, this beauty had a rich, dark coat, and a wide throat covered with mottled feathers. I would guess that if I could have stood next to him, his head would have reached my mid-thigh. He was a big and beautiful bird.
The next encounter was with a bird that the locals call "Chichiron". I was sitting in the Oasis having lunch with friends, when we were all drawn out of our seats and away from our food in search of the bird that made the loudest, most distinct call that I have ever heard. It took us a few moments to locate the bird- we caught a glimpse of the long tailfeathers, and I thought for a second that perhaps it was a Magpie Jay.....but the call was louder and more sonorous. If you have ever heard a Magpie Jay (in the blue bird family)- then you can understand how loud the 'Chichiron' is! We found him after a few minutes hopping along the ground. He was a large deep-fawn colored bird with a very lovely blue head. I tried to snap a photo, but he kept moving further and further away....He reminded me of an oversized pheasant.
Here is a photo of a grey-necked wood-rail....this photo most resembled the bird that we saw.....
The last encountered happened yesterday as I was sitting in our lawn using the internet (no....we cannot get a clear enough signal from the satellite indoors...ugh). Anyhow, once I stopped paying attention to the very loud and ever present Howlers, I noticed a gorgeous tiny blue tanager on a branch of the Pichote tree right above me. What a cute little songbird!
We were also graced with the presence of this 'momma spider' in our bathroom last night. Erik was kind enough to capture and release her outdoors (my maternal feelings are in overdrive lately....I couldn't bear the thought of slaughtering a mother and her newborns, no matter the species!)
Kemper playing with her best buddies, Mirian and her daughter Maria Jose:
Our house is coming right along....walls are up- roof should start early next week! We are very impressed with the progress- good work Pablo!
The walls are being covered with their first rough-coat...
Kemper says, "this is MY house!!"
Labels: and building, birds, Brandon, bugs
