February 24 – Half-day Tour of Manuel Antonio National Park

Our pick was on time (early), and we loaded on to a pretty full bus.  We unloaded near the park and waited a bit for others to join us.  While waiting we saw a white ibis on a dead tree trunk not far from us. 

We divided into two groups.  Besides us our group included a couple from the UK, a couple from Australia and a couple with two kids from New Jersey.  There were a lot of people walking the short distance to the park.  The park is going to be much, much more crowded than Corcovado. 

After entering the park we immediately encountered our first sight…sort of.  The Common Pauraque was nesting right beside the trail and even when pointed out and walking up within six or eight feet it was almost impossible to see.  Talk about incredible camouflage.  The bird is a night bird and nests on the ground during the day…among dead leaves.  And it’s coloring is exactly like dead leaves. 

Other wildlife we saw were (in order of sightings):

Jesus Christ Basilisk

White-tailed deer (that was a surprise)

Hammer Headed Lizard (far back in the bushes and hard to see...and harder to photograph)

Hourglass frog

Hummingbird nest with some nestlings (hard to see them...just the tips of their beaks)

Red-eyed tree frog (sleeping for the day so everything is tucked in tight,)

A lone Howler Monkey

A Sloth with a baby

An Agouti (which is a very large rodent)

and a wood creeper.

About half way though the loop trail we arrived at the beach where we took a few photos before heading back.

There was a very large iguana at the park entrance as we were leaving.

After dumping some gear off at the hotel we decided to walk a ways up the road to a nearby bar and restaurant for lunch.  Food was good.  The dining room was a large open an covered terrace.  The weather isn’t bad when you are in the shade and not walking. 

We spent the afternoon working on photos and other work, taking a short nap and enjoying the views from the hotel.

There was a hang glider floating in the distance...

and some black vultures handing out in a nearby tree.

Late afternoon there was some noise outside the room...sounded like birds.  She couldn't see any birds but she did see and iguana and a white-faced capuchin on some nearby roofs. 

We headed out again for dinner with another walk up the street.  This time we went all the way to the top of the hill and down again.  We found the falafel place, the Italian restaurant and an Indian restaurant.  We opted for Indian.  It was pretty good but not the best.  And a first…they had beef on the menu.  You never see beef on Indian menus.