Pochite Trunk Closeup (Pachira quinata)

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Heart-shaped Leaf

Trunk Detail

West Toward Nicoya Peninsula

Pink Blue Bromeliad (Aechmea apocalyptica gamesopela)

Clouds Moving In

Blue Lichen

Porcupette, Poor Baby Porcupine

Where the Red Fern Grows

Glasswinged Butterfly (Greta oto)

View of Nicoya Gulf

Starburst Flower

Colorful Fruit Trio

Red Lichen

Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)

Black Guan (Chamaepetes unicolor)

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)

Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata)

Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio)

Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata)

Black Guan (Chamaepetes unicolor)

White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons)

One of 1250+ Species of Butterfly in Costa Rica

My next excursion, the Ecological Sanctuary, was a hilly 1.3 km walk from Santa Elena. This property is family-owned and primarily consists of secondary growth forest. They allow visitors to wander the grounds for a fee but they also grow coffee and bananas to supplement their income.

Surprisingly, the open areas of this reserve proved to be very fruitful. I discovered several new-to-me species of birds, marveled over the clear wings of the Glasswinged Butterfly, spent quality time watching an adorable agouti, and sadly, lamented the recent demise of a precious porcupette. Clear views of the Nicoya Gulf and Peninsula were a special treat.

Though I was alone on the trails my visit was nowhere near silent as a myriad of insects were abuzz.