Birding in the morning was another successful day. More doves and a cute little fella known as the yellow crowned euphonia. She was a sweetheart and such a trooper!



I successfully scared birds into the net on two separate occasions! Apparently birds find me terrifying...go figure.

The most exciting parts of the day weren't actually birding! After the bird nets went down around mid-day, I took a stroll on the boardwalk and found this beautiful green heron. Okay, so this discovery is bird related - but still you can't deny how gorgeous this creature is!



...Hard to believe this majestic bird ate a baby jacana only a day earlier. The bird world is ruthless; wrought with siblicide and cannibalism.

Leaving the boardwalk the group happened upon a group of capuchin monkeys. The troop came complete with two adorable youngsters. That's right - baby monkeys. But our presence upset the alpha male. He repeatedly hunched over a companion and hissed at us; a highly intimidating sight for most threats I'd imagine, though highly ineffective to a group of biology students. Rather than run in horror, we all shrieked "Oh look they're posing for us!" - quite the opposite of the desired effect.



We did get a good peek at the baby monkey, or rather, the baby capuchin got a good peek of us!



This was apparently the final insult for the alpha male who then charged over to the tree, huffing and puffing, climbed up above us and, in a fit of rage, broke off a branch with his tail and hurled it down towards us. Thankfully no one was hit, but when his attack failed and he jumped onto a new shakey branch, we all scattered.

This encounter was followed by a hike to reach this incredible view:



Evening birding was also successful. A large group of grooved billed anis came too close to our net, and when a group of us charged, three of them, in a panic, got stuck in the net. It was a great success! They are beautiful black birds and mine was so cooperative. I am improving my technique with every capture and feeling very good about my birding. My fear of their beaks is also dwindling! Which I'm calling a good thing.

Today was our first day of birding! Granted, I'll be birding now for the next three weeks...but today marked the first step forward! Day 1 of the hands on Biology experience I've been waiting for, for who knows how long! A super-sized, extreme version of my time in Kiuic and what a day it has been.

Birding was very successful today. While it was slow going I admit, we did catch 2 inca doves (one of which got away), 2 hummingbirds (again, one got away), a great kiskadee, annnnnnd a surprise bird I'll mention a bit later (BLATANT INCENTIVE TO KEEP READING). The great kiskadee was a great catch - a good, large, colorful bird. This was the bird that was passed around allowing everyone in the birding group to hold their first Costa Rica capture. The second catch, a dove, was my first independent subject. I got to untangle him from the net and then hold him as measurements were being made. He was a sweetheart and was very calm the entire time. He had the most beautiful maroon eyes.

Midday we took the nets down and went on a hike up a very tall, limestone cliff. It was actually quite the hike (more intense than I expected) but a very good work out and in the end we had the most incredible view of the Palo Verde reserve, which is composed of a dry forest, marsh, and river system.




After the hike we strung up the mist nets one more time before dusk and before the bat team takes over. As we were taking our last scan of the nets one final bird flew into the invisible wall and got tangled - right before our eyes. By some twist of fate or luck, this bird was the bird I had come to Costa Rica to find - the turquoise browed motmot. It is my favorite tropical bird; unique morphology, beautiful colors, and unique behavior - this bird has it all! And here on the first day I found myself face to face with my first motmot. I went to work untangling the bird because it had just flown in and was at high risk of escaping (plus it's easier to remove a bird that isn't thoroughly tangled). With the assistance of Meg, we got the motmot out and I basked in the glory of the accomplishment.




My first full day in Costa Rica and birding was so incredibly successful! I think this amazing day was sent to me to help put my anxious mind at ease. I really am happy to be here.