Cinnamon Hummingbird
This is a Cinnamon Hummingbird, a dry forest specialist, as photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser who has now returned to Costa Rica for tropical research and more of his absolutely stunning photography. We will certainly keep sharing much of his gorgeous work there with you this month to keep any winter doldrums at bay.
Read MoreRTPI 2016 Highlights
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History wishes you a very Happy New Year! Here are some of our most popular blog posts and memorable highlights of 2016 at RTPI… This Snowy Owl blog entry from last January claimed the #1 spot in 2016, and considering our logo, we feel this is very appropriate! Check out those eyes: http://rtpi.org/snowy-owl-eyes/ One of the more touching days of our year was a celebration of Noble Proctor’s life at a BioBlitz Challenge at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Connecticut on May 14. Noble Proctor was one of Roger Tory Peterson’s...
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 MorePitbull Katydid
While we head into winter we will be bringing you more green scenes and wildlife – occasionally at the same time – from the tropics, as is tradition here at RTPI. Our staff carries out several active research and education initiatives in Central America. Our partners and affiliates conduct some fantastic and important conservation work there as well. We always end up with some terrific media that showcases the splendid variety of life these nations hold. This is the Pitbull Katydid as photographed a few years back by RTPI President Twan Leenders while in Panama. As Twan said they...
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 More
