Dia Dos - I Eat a Moth — Birds Bugs Buds

(NOTE: The Costa Rica expedition has ended and though I did not keep timely updates to the little blog, I did at least make notes for each day. Thus, I now play "catch up.") While I love moths, it's more of a general appreciation and not a consuming passion. Yet, walking up the mini-mountain to our cabin at the Savegre Lodge, I stopped, sucked in a deep breath of oxygen available at 7,200 feet and choked.

I had no idea what the problem was until lovely husband inquired "Did you just swallow that moth I brushed out of my way?"

Indeed, I did.

Lepidoptera consumption aside, here at Sevegre, in the ominously-named Cerro de la Muerta area of the Talamanca mountain range, we are consumed by a different group of critters -- hummingbirds.

The weather here is cool but comfortable (except a bit chilly in the evenings) and I don't notice quite as many butterflies (and one less moth!) as seen the day before outside Heredia. But birds are a-plenty and we haven't even ventured off the property yet for a proper walk.

Just a few hours ago we were back in Heredia where I started a new trend -- waking up at dawn (though if I were a truly intrepid soul I'd be up BEFORE dawn). It was difficult, but once outside, I was more than pleased, if not downright overwhelmed.

Birds galore -- including those butterflies mentioned a moment ago -- whizzing, zipping before my eyes. And the sound! This was not bird song but rather a collection of chirrups, squawks, and a cacophony of dog squeaky toys!

Identification became futile as there was just so much to take in of completely foreign birds to my limited expertise and I was completely relieved to enjoy the morning flirtations of two variegated squirrels. I offer an equal opportunity program of love for all critters, but rodents have a special spot in my heart.

Yet, I digress. That was this morning, and this is now. At our new mountain abode, hummingbird feeders are positioned for easy viewing and in the few hours here I have seen more individual hummingbirds -- and more individual species -- than I have seen before in my life. And with over 50 species to choose from, I haven't even bothered with trying to identify them yet.

Besides this great spotting, we observed the species Homo sapiens, variety Aves-watchers run through the cafeteria from one end to the other. Curiosity consumed us and we followed to find they were enjoying close up views of Emerald Toucanets.

As I close out the day earlier than the night before (we have a 5 hour guided bird walk at the ghastly hour of 7am!), here are the bird sightings of the day. You'll excuse the very scientific descriptions of a couple....

Blue-gray Tanager
Rufous-collared Sparrow
Acorn Woodpecker
Baltimore Oriole
Mississippi Kite
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Clay-colored Robin
Some kind of black flycatching bird
Some kind of yellow bird