Canopy Lizard (Polychrus gutturosus)
Here’s a little green for the winter world and the holiday season in the form of a perfect portrait – the Canopy Lizard (Polychrus gutturosus).
Read MoreYellow-headed Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis)
Here is the answer to the scale pattern posted yesterday: the Yellow-headed Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis). Twan described it as looking like a bunch of jelly beans or blueberries. The species is very common throughout the Costa Rican lowlands, but few people pay close enough attention to realize how beautiful they are.
Read MoreBlack-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops)
This is the Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops), a species more often heard than seen. It has a beautiful song, so nice in fact it is in danger from the pet trade. This was actually a surprise find one morning because we were at a site lower in elevation that they’re normally found. These birds are endemic the the highland forests of Costa Rica and Panama preferring elevations of over 750 meters to reside in. When not out singing, it’s a species that can be found skulking around, feeding on berries in lower vegetation. Most likely the reason it being found at a lower...
Read MoreBlack-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae)
RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser was recently going through some photos for a project and he found this one from last year in Costa Rica. This Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae) was not amused by him in the slightest. It was his first time observing this species, let alone capturing it during mist netting to study hummingbirds, and it’s clearly one he loves. He says it is still probably his favorite capture – an amazing bird with such intricate plumage!
Read MoreLouisiana Waterthrush
RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser and I were happy to hear that a Louisiana Waterthrush had already made its way to Connecticut in late March, besting early arrival records in what may be an early spring for many birds – despite this current arctic rebuke. There are even some Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Purple Martins in the Northeast! Birds like them have a very difficult time getting through freezing conditions, and with overnight lows going deep into the 20s it is going to be a rough ride for these bold returning individuals. This particular photo by Sean is of an individual captured in...
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