Yamil: Oh my sacred bovine, you have given me a lot of new information. The trip we are taking is with ElderHostel. The description is here: http://www.elderhostel.org/programs/programdetail.asp?DId=1%2D32MDA1#accomm
I do appreciate every word of your advice and I did want to go in spring but we couldn't manage it this year and each year can be so different. We are going, instead, to the southeastern corner of Arizona in three weeks for the start of migration through that area. I can take all my gear to AZ but I don't think I will take the 500mm lens to Costa Rica as it is not a photo expedition as such and time is limited. This is truly an exploratory trip because we hope to return to Costa Rica for some more photo directed travel on our own or with a dedicated photo guide.
Thank you again for all the wonderful information. I will be going over it closely and marking the more important parts for use in our trip.
Hi Fred, I am glad that you guys have decided to go to Costa Rica.
Be aware that September is the rainiest month and sometimes the Hurricanes from the Caribbean also affects the weather in the whole country, especially on the East Coast. The best season to visit Costa Rica is between December and early May during the dry months. But the rainy season has a lot to offer too. In regards the species that you mentioned I have some information for you.
1) Quetzals. The best time of the year to see them is during their breeding season that goes from March to June. However you still have chances to see them in September. The best place in the country is “Mirador de Quetzales”. I was there with my family last May and we saw 10-12. The opportunities to take pictures here are low because this is a primary forest and the canopy is very high. They have local tour guides available. Also you may want to visit the Savegre Lodge, which is located about 30 minutes from Mirador de Quetzales. Once you take the exit from the Pan-American Highway, start looking for the birds. Also, when you get to the Savegre Lodge, you’ll be mesmerized by the variety and amount of hummingbirds. I guarantee you’ll find at least 10 different species and hopefully some other trogons.
2) Whales. I am guessing you are referring to Humpbacks? If that’s the case, one of the best places to find them is in the South Pacific, in Golfo Dulce, Drake Bay, Caño Island and the Terraba, Sierpe Mouth. In the North, Golfo de Nicoya, Golfo de Papagayo and Santa Elena are the 3 best spots. I have a friend (and mentor) that is a photographer and naturalist and can give you more information about whale and bird watching. Here is his contact information. Don Marco Tulio Saborio: 011-253-1738 or 011-365-1411 From June to November Humpback Whales from the Southern Hemisphere come to Costa Rica for calving and breeding and from December to April we get the Humpbacks from the North.
3)Turtles. Tortuguero coastline is considered one of the Western Hemisphere's most important nesting sites of the green sea turtle, which can be found by the thousands in the summer months. The baby turtles hatch from July through early November, emerging from their nests to scrabble across the sand to the waiting waters of the Atlantic. From March to May you’ll find the gigantic leatherback sea turtles, but not in the large amounts of the green turtles. You may also want to consider visiting Ostional Beach on the Nicoya Peninsula and witness the famous Arribada of the Olive Ridley (Lora). Arribadas" occur all through the year, at least once a month and, in some months, may occur twice. The months between June and December, during the rainy season, see larger "arribadas". That means that the number of nesting turtles may be in the range of hundreds of thousands as opposed to tens of thousands for the dry season months.
4) Hawk Migration. During the South migration, the most common species are Buteo platypterus (broad-winged Hawk), Buteo swainsonii (Swainson’s hawk) and Cathartes aura (Turkey Vulture), Mississippi Kite (Ictina missisippiensis). In Bordon, near Cahuita, on the Caribbean Coast the hills are very close to the highway and this is one of the best spots to find THOUSANDS of hawks. Kekoldi Observatory is one of the best places to see them. Every year they count more than 5 million hawks. September and October are the best months, but again, the weather is bad. Don Marco Tulio is a pioneer in hawk research and he shares his information with Hawk Watch and Hawk Mountain. If you contact him in advance, He may be able to schedule your visit.
I wish you a superb vacation and I can’t wait to see your pictures. Take care. Yamil
Yamil: He is a magnificent bird and well captured. Thank you for your kind comments on my Great Blue Heron. We are traveling to Costa Rica in September if you have any suggestions.
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