tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216359392024-03-17T21:04:12.262-06:00Sustainable Adventureby Andrew McKinlayAndrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.comBlogger1649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-74250975469911888702024-03-16T21:25:00.003-06:002024-03-16T21:27:38.054-06:00Tarcoles Birding Lodge<p>The last night with the group we spent at the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/gDFD7zNKBNcTULGPA" target="_blank">Tarcoles Birding Lodge</a>, which coincidentally was next door to Cerro Lodge where I'd stayed at the beginning of the trip. It was brand new, just opened a few months before, by the previous owner of Cerro Lodge. It was quite small, just 6 cabins and a few rooms. The cabins were beautifully done. We were only here overnight, so not a lot of photos for a change.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592452528/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Tarcoles Birding Lodge"><img alt="Tarcoles Birding Lodge" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592452528_61ce27f6a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>When we arrived there was a Howler monkey in one of the trees. It seemed quite relaxed, moving around and gathering leaves to eat.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592563239/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Howler monkey"><img alt="Howler monkey" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592563239_b749b6665b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592245436/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Howler monkey"><img alt="Howler monkey" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592245436_0fe64ff98a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were also some Scarlet Macaws eating the seeds/fruit of one of the trees.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592452263/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Scarlet macaw"><img alt="Scarlet macaw" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592452263_c22ddc935f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592563599/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Scarlet macaw"><img alt="Scarlet macaw" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592563599_b5688fa466_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I didn't spot a lot of other birds, although I'm sure they were around. I managed a distant shot of this White-crowned parrot.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53591375197/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="White-crowned parrot"><img alt="White-crowned parrot" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591375197_16b31db656_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>My best discovery was when I returned to my cabin after supper. There was something on the spotless tile floor. At first I thought it was a leaf or twig but it turned out to be a scorpion. And even more interesting, it was in the process of eating a smaller scorpion! It didn't even run away when I shone bright lights on it and took numerous photographs. It only got worked up when I captured it with a drinking glass and a piece of cardboard. I was quite careful with this process as I had no desire for it to escape and sting me. I must admit I was a bit nervous walking around the cabin in my bare feet afterwards.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592246466/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Bark scorpion eating a smaller scorpion"><img alt="Bark scorpion eating a smaller scorpion" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592246466_e693dd6ae4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592693685/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Bark scorpion eating a smaller scorpion"><img alt="Bark scorpion eating a smaller scorpion" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592693685_087f526e50_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I found this interesting spider on a barbed wire fence. And I was able to get through the fence to take photos from both sides. Spiders can look quite different depending which side you see them from. It turned out to be a Silver Garden Orbweaver. I saw a few different Garden Orbweavers on this trip.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53591375042/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Silver Garden Orbweaver"><img alt="Silver Garden Orbweaver" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591375042_7d0fecfa5a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592453603/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="Silver Garden Orbweaver"><img alt="Silver Garden Orbweaver" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592453603_ee127652d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The lodge (like Cerro) is on the top of a hill, with a nice view towards the ocean and the sunset.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592564434/in/album-72177720315485320/" title="sunset"><img alt="sunset" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592564434_aa8ea72618_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720315485320" target="_blank">16 photos in this batch</a>.</p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-57341889434733335662024-03-14T21:23:00.003-06:002024-03-14T21:23:52.072-06:00Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586984835/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="foggy morning"><img alt="foggy morning" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586984835_b15de358b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The main reason to go to Drake Bay is to visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corcovado_National_Park" target="_blank">Corcovado National Park</a>. It's not the easiest place to get to. There is a road but it's challenging 4wd territory. The better alternative is by boat, which wouldn't be so bad except there's no dock in Drake's bay so you end up jumping out of the boat into the water, which wouldn't be so bad except when there are 4 foot waves tossing the boat around. At least it's a sandy beach in Drake's Bay. A boat ride is also required to get to the Sirena entrance to the park, where you also have to jump out into the water, but there it's a rocky shore. And depending on your schedule, you may end up spending a night in Sierpe where you catch the boat. Sierpe has limited choices for food and lodging. All of our group except me ended up with stomach problems after Sierpe, putting a damper on the trip to Drake Bay.</p>
<p>Our hotel in Drake Bay was up on the hill with a great view of the bay</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586535546/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Drake's Bay"><img alt="Drake's Bay" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586535546_a0d0ac1ac2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were green iguanas in the trees and many birds around.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53585673887/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Green Iguana"><img alt="Green Iguana" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53585673887_55fda9d94c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586534781/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Mangrove Swallow"><img alt="Mangrove Swallow" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586534781_86006190fb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53585673127/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Buff-throated Saltator"><img alt="Buff-throated Saltator" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53585673127_e4bae72cb9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586758793/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Common Black Hawk"><img alt="Common Black Hawk" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586758793_81197672b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586757573/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Great Kiskatdee"><img alt="Great Kiskatdee" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586757573_33550d7a82_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Corcovado is the largest park in Costa Rica and one of the largest remaining areas of lowland tropical forests anywhere. You have to have a guide to go in the park and go in a group. We had eight people in our group, which wasn't bad, although there were many other groups so it wasn't exactly a wilderness experience. The advantage of the guide is that they know where animals can be found, and you see much more than you would otherwise.</p>
<p>While I was happy to get photos of these animals, the challenges of the dense forest mean they're not very good (by my standards).<br /></p>
<p>There are four kinds of monkeys in Costa Rica - Howler, Spider, Squirrel, and Capuchin. We saw Howler and Spider here.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586537226/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Howler Monkey"><img alt="Howler Monkey" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586537226_038452bbcb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586759093/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Howler Monkey with juvenile"><img alt="Howler Monkey with juvenile" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586759093_021afd7439_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586989115/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Spider Monkey"><img alt="Spider Monkey" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586989115_d066f9787c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Costa Rica is known for its sloths. We saw one Three-toed Sloth although it was sleeping in an awkward spot to get a good photograph. (Not very considerate of it!)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586759498/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Three-toed Sloth"><img alt="Three-toed Sloth" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586759498_73a45d7500_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We were also lucky enough to see this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamandua" target="_blank">Tamandua</a> anteater. They spend a lot of their time up in the trees. It was moving around but I think it was a little curious about us, which allowed me to get this shot.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586759348/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Tamandua (anteater)"><img alt="Tamandua (anteater)" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586759348_df7d86b87f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Tapirs are another iconic (and endangered) Costa Rican animal. We saw two different ones, but they were both sleeping in mud wallows, surrounded by vegetation.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586865669/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Tapir"><img alt="Tapir" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586865669_08d1d9cbb9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There are two kinds of peccaries here, White-lipped and Collared. We only saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collared_peccary" target="_blank">Collared Peccaries</a>, which I've also seen in the southern USA where they're known as javalinas. We also saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati" target="_blank">Coatis</a> (a bit like raccoons) but I didn't get a decent photo of them.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586866449/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Collared Peccary"><img alt="Collared Peccary" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586866449_72d64e8c5c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We didn't see a lot of birds in the park. The most impressive were the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_curassow" target="_blank">Great Curassow</a>. We saw both males (all black) and females like this one. For a change the female birds are more colorful. They're quite large birds, about the size of a wild turkey.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586866389/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Great Curassow (female)"><img alt="Great Curassow (female)" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586866389_9809982afb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I was happy to spot these <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_basilisk" target="_blank">Basilisk lizards</a>, although the rest of the group wasn't interested. They're known as "Jesus lizards" because of their ability to run across water. The rest of the group was busy looking for the baby Spectacled Caimens.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53585676707/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Common Basilisk"><img alt="Common Basilisk" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53585676707_cb373dd4d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586760943/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="Spectacled Caimen juveniles"><img alt="Spectacled Caimen juveniles" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586760943_33cdf76c42_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The guides are mostly looking for the larger, more "famous" birds and animals. At one point, when our guide came over to see what I was photographing, his comment was "oh, it's just a spider". Personally, I thought it was quite an interesting creature.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586760803/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="jumping spider"><img alt="jumping spider" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586760803_8afe98906e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53586538406/in/album-72177720315426112/" title="spider"><img alt="spider" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53586538406_6acb97ee5d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See also <a href="https://sustainableadventure.blogspot.com/2016/03/costa-rica-lapa-rios.html" target="_blank">a post from our previous trip</a>.</p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720315426112/" target="_blank">58 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-4324855381454647982024-03-10T18:26:00.001-06:002024-03-10T18:29:34.331-06:00Rivas<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580255950/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="clouds"><img alt="clouds" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580255950_40c7bc9975_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Rivas was another flying site, inland from Dominical. This is a more advanced site. Conditions can be strong and the landing is quite far and in a soccer field surrounded by trees. Last time Shelley and I hadn't flown here because conditions weren't good. It didn't seem like we'd get to fly this time either since it was cloudy and windy when we arrived. But in the morning it looked better and a couple of us got flights in. We stayed at <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/xn6fVtmsEqyvRqPJ6" target="_blank">Hotel de Montaña El Pelicano</a> which had nice gardens and lots of trees and birds.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53579810641/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="heliconia"><img alt="heliconia" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53579810641_934a9c6388_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580265125/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="heliconia"><img alt="heliconia" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580265125_5bd2c59cb1_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53579813241/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Red-tailed Stingless Bee"><img alt="Red-tailed Stingless Bee" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53579813241_625d957b00_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580025838/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="grasshopper"><img alt="grasshopper" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580025838_97160b91d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580265585/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Golden-hooded Tanager"><img alt="Golden-hooded Tanager" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580265585_d4d582ece2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580136449/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="flower"><img alt="flower" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580136449_5ae861284f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We were leaving the restaurant one morning when the manager called us back. They had found a leaf mimic katydid and had seen our interest in wildlife. It's quite amazing how closely they resemble a leaf, even with fake veins and damage. It had crazy long antenae.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580026603/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Leaf Katydid"><img alt="Leaf Katydid" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580026603_9db458229f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580027088/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Leaf Katydid"><img alt="Leaf Katydid" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580027088_bf6038db78_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The other reason to come here was to visit <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/oVMDhsSG71sMCfEB9" target="_blank">Mariposario Casa Alegria</a> (butterfly house). When we first arrived one of the group found a Praying Mantis in the women's bathroom. Not wanting to be seen taking photos in the women's bathroom, I transferred it to a plant outside :-) Praying mantises (and spiders) weren't popular at the butterfly house because they catch and eat butterflies.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580133734/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Praying Mantis"><img alt="Praying Mantis" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580133734_188b94dc7f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580138614/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Malachite butterfly"><img alt="Malachite butterfly" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580138614_586887338b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580134529/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Owl butterfly"><img alt="Owl butterfly" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580134529_4c1c8c7cb8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53578950057/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Whitened Bluewing butterfly ?"><img alt="Whitened Bluewing butterfly ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53578950057_1710f09587_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53578950212/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="White-spotted Prepona butterfly ?"><img alt="White-spotted Prepona butterfly ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53578950212_46b78a39d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580139234/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Doris Longwing butterfly ?"><img alt="Doris Longwing butterfly ?" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580139234_6b5956b741_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580138769/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Silver-studded Leafwing butterfly ?"><img alt="Silver-studded Leafwing butterfly ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580138769_d10af3f25a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580139369/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Julia Heliconia butterfly ?"><img alt="Julia Heliconia butterfly ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580139369_0af89df368_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Some of the caterpillars were almost as pretty as the butterflies.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53579818716/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Blue Morpho caterpillar ?"><img alt="Blue Morpho caterpillar ?" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53579818716_41d5ab1647_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580135964/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="caterpillar"><img alt="caterpillar" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580135964_1a57fff400_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>In a protected environment like this the butterflies live longer than they would in the wild, and so quite a few of them were ragged and damaged.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53578950882/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="Doris Longwing butterfly ?"><img alt="Doris Longwing butterfly ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53578950882_10216f86c8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The owner himself gave us our tour of the butterfly house.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53580032633/in/album-72177720315353355/" title="the butterfly keeper"><img alt="the butterfly keeper" height="557" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53580032633_c2d9c4f8fb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720315353355/" target="_blank">77 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-88272029743860205602024-03-09T16:58:00.000-06:002024-03-09T16:58:11.107-06:00The Indignity of Air Travel<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53577952980/in/datetaken-public/" title="20240307-IMG_2711"><img alt="20240307-IMG_2711" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53577952980_9fb856211a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Once upon a time, travel was a treat and a luxury. Now it's more like an abusive relationship. One we can't quite bring ourselves to give up and so we continue to accept the abuse.</p>
<p>My flight left Costa Rica an hour late. The only official explanation (in the early stages) was that they were waiting for the luggage to be loaded, which seemed like a weak excuse. The rumor I heard later was that they were waiting for one passenger. If that's true, it's ironic, given how it unfolded.</p>
<p>We made up a little time on the flight, but still arrived 30 minutes late. I originally had 90 minutes for my connection, now I was down to 60. I asked a flight attendant about my connection but they reassured me it wouldn't be a problem - this was Montreal, it was much better than Toronto. (I suspect he was from Montreal.)</p>
<p>In hindsight I shouldn't have booked a 90 minute connection. That's probably ok for an outgoing connection, but not for an incoming connection where you have to go through immigration and pick up and recheck your bag for customs, and then go back through security. But both flights were Air Canada, and I booked directly on their web site, and it suggested the connection, so it must be ok, right?</p>
<p>I made it through immigration amazingly quickly. For once, automation actually helped. But all that meant is that I had to wait for my bag. It drives me crazy how much luggage people take for carry on. But I have to admit, if I hadn't had a checked bag, this would have turned out much differently. In this case, I had a paraglider and a bunch of camera equipment so I couldn't have traveled with just carry on.</p>
<p>Finally my bag came and I moved to a new line to get through security. Finally I was home free. About 10 people from my flight were trying to make the same connection. We crossed paths multiple times as we tried to speed up an immovable process.</p>
<p>According to my boarding pass, the flight left at 6pm and the gate would close at 5:45. I got to the gate at 5:40 and it was deserted. There was one lone Air Canada employee who turned out to be an IT guy who knew nothing about flights. He turned out to be the most helpful and polite of all the Air Canada employees I dealt with.</p>
<p>It turned out the gate had closed and the flight had left 10 minutes early. No one could explain why they would do this, especially with 10 connecting passengers due at any minute. I'm guessing they filled it up from standby and once it was full they might as well leave. I realize in this day and age it's too much to ask that they hold the flight for you but at least they could leave on schedule. (Later, the Air Canada "manager" denied that the flight left early. Humorously, at least half of the 10 customers had taken a photo of the status monitor showing it leaving 10 minutes early. It's a sad state of affairs when you have to assume that the company will lie to you.)</p>
<p>I went in search of the customer service counter, where I lined up yet again, with all the people from my flight. The line moved agonizingly slowly because they had no good answers and no one wanted to walk away until they got some kind of satisfaction. You'd think it would make sense to deal with all the people in the same situation at the same time, but that would be too rational.</p>
<p>All along the way, everyone assured us that we were fine, that we'd make our connection no problem. That puzzled me at first, since the connection was obviously tight and they couldn't predict things like baggage or security delays. Then I realized that it was simply a way to keep the cattle placid on their way to slaughter.</p>
<p>Once the connection was missed it was a whole different story. Not one of the multiple Air Canada staff apologized or showed the slightest sympathy or empathy. Heck, they weren't even polite. It was our fault we had missed the flight, and it was our problem, not theirs. Obviously the staff we dealt with didn't have any control of anything. They were pawns just like us, and probably just as abused, only more often. But they're still fellow human beings. I guess they've had that hammered out of them.</p>
<p>There wasn't even any attempt at "fake" sympathy like you might see if they had had customer relations training. That kind of training probably got cut as a cost saving measure so the executives could increase their bonuses.</p>
<p>The only common approach was to pass the buck at all costs. No doubt this is the "training" they implicitly receive. This extended to the lack of authority at all levels, and the system of always having a nameless faceless "superior" to assign responsibility to.</p>
<p>On a solitary positive note, the initial customer service agent got me on a flight for the next morning. I'd hoped there would be other flights the same day, and there probably were, but they were probably all overbooked.</p>
<p>The next hurdle was where to stay for the night. I expected Air Canada to provide a hotel voucher. But the customer service agent didn't handle that. We had to talk to a manager. Where was the manager? At the check-in counter in departures, halfway across the airport. I arrived there first of my cohort. There was no sign of anything resembling a service counter, let alone a manager. I asked various people until I found one who directed me to counter 22. (I wonder if the person who chose that had read <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22_(logic)" target="_blank">Catch 22</a>). You couldn't actually reach counter 22 because it was roped off. I ducked under. But counter 22 had a sign on it that it was closed. I got the attention of a nearby attendant and asked where the manager was. He pointed. The manager was heading away but I (probably rudely at this point) called out loudly, "excuse me, are you the manager?". I suspect they would have liked nothing better than to pretend not to hear, but it was a little too obvious. They reluctantly turned and returned to the unlabeled counter 22.<br /></p>
<p>Maybe the manager would have better people skills? No, like everyone else we dealt with they immediately went on the defensive and put all the blame on us for missing the flight. Regardless, she had no authority to give out hotel vouchers. (Since we were sent to her specifically for that purpose, this seemed like yet another run-around.) Next she pulled the trump card and phoned the "connection manager". She then reported that our first flight wasn't that late, that the connecting flight didn't leave early, and that we'd had an hour to make our connection which was officially sufficient time. People kept interrupting her to try to correct the obvious untruths at which point she used another tactic. "If you keep interrupting me and won't let me finish then there's no point talking to you." I agreed and walked away. I left the rest of the cohort still arguing but all they got was more frustration and lies. It wasn't worth it.</p>
<p>I picked the first nearby hotel with a restaurant, took their airport shuttle, and got a room. I canceled my hotel in Vancouver (no refund due to the last minute cancellation) and I would miss my ferry shuttle to Victoria the next day.</p>
<p>My lesson is to allow more than 90 minutes for an incoming connection. Which is obvious in hindsight, but an expensive lesson in this case.<br /></p>Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-84557815794146238562024-03-03T17:05:00.000-06:002024-03-03T17:05:18.165-06:00Frogs Galore<p>This post is out of order, but I don't think the frogs will mind. I took so many frog photos that they deserved a post of their own. One advantage of travelling alone is that no one cares if you spend hours frog watching :-)<br /></p>
<p>When I arrived, I was interested to read that the gardens of Hotel Bougainvillea contained several ponds where they were trying to help frog conservation. Most people aren’t thrilled with frogs although cute red-eyed tree frogs are associated with Costa Rica. I checked out the ponds the day I arrived but didn’t spot any frogs. I did see several small splashes as I approached one of the ponds. That could have been frogs but it could have been other things.</p>
<p>The next morning I went back and approached the pond more slowly. Sure enough, I spotted a frog. There was a ledge around the pond and it was out of the water sitting on the ledge. I realized there were damp spots on the ledge where frogs were (or had been) sitting.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53564876832/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog"><img alt="frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53564876832_e1afd2bebf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I sat by the pond and watched. I figured if there was one frog there were probably more. There were lots of tadpoles which was a good sign. Sure enough, I eventually spotted several sets of eyes poking out of the water. With enough patience and scanning my highest count was 6 visible at one time. There are four visible in this photo but they're hard to see.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53565921558/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="four frogs visible"><img alt="four frogs visible" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53565921558_3ba8152765_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Most of the time, all that was visible were the protruding eyes, usually in the middle of vegetation.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53564877967/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog"><img alt="frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53564877967_e086be3259_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53566174005/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog"><img alt="frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53566174005_eccf07cae6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53564884267/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog"><img alt="frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53564884267_2c671af4f5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The ledge was about four inches above the water. I never saw one get out of the water onto the ledge. I assume they jumped? But it's not easy to jump out of water.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53565734841/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="two frogs"><img alt="two frogs" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53565734841_7b947ca205_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Of course, they had no trouble jumping off the ledge back into the water. I caught this photo as it swam away. It's interesting to see how long and slim they are when swimming, compared to when sitting bunched up.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53565922348/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog swimming"><img alt="frog swimming" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53565922348_07bc8de373_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>During all my time watching them, I only saw one (failed) attempt at catching an insect. Being a frog obviously requires even more patience than frog watching.</p>
<p>The funniest part was after an extended session of sitting on the uncomfortable rock by the pond, my legs had gone to sleep and when I tried to get back up (slowly, without disturbing the frogs) I ended up rolling backwards in slow motion, giving priority of course to protecting the two cameras in my lap. Luckily no one was watching. (And luckily I didn't roll forward into the pond!)<br /></p>
<p>Curiously, I didn't see any frogs at the pond with the sign about them. But I could easily have missed them. It seemed like a good spot for them, but I didn't see any tadpoles either. Another pond also seemed to be missing frogs and tadpoles. I decided that this was because it was so shallow (only a few inches). Then I spotted a frog (sitting right in the open). So much for that theory!</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53564885442/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog"><img alt="frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53564885442_965bf283e7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There was quite a lot of variation in the coloring. Some were more green and some more brown. The sign mentioned Forreri Leopard Frogs, and the one above looks a lot like the leopard frogs I know from Canada. But the one I saw first was more of a pure light green. I'm not sure if it's a different kind, or just a more extreme variation.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53566055509/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog"><img alt="frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53566055509_fc00341aec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Here's a view of the pond with the hotel in the background. (One of those balconies was my room.)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53566050104/in/album-72177720315204365/" title="frog pond"><img alt="frog pond" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53566050104_aa5a70da34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720315204365/" target="_blank">37 photos in this batch</a>.</p>
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Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-65940252664049523462024-03-01T16:21:00.002-06:002024-03-03T17:05:34.018-06:00Dominical<p>Dominical on the west (Pacific) coast is a hangout for surfers. We were there to paraglide at a site on the ridge overlooking the ocean. It's one of my favorite sites because you land on the beach and the views of the coast from the air are spectacular. I only took a few photos because we were busy flying.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53560980037/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Dominical Beach"><img alt="Dominical Beach" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53560980037_32bba63c2d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>These little Ghost crabs on the beach were well camouflaged and skittish.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562164989/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Ghost crab"><img alt="Ghost crab" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562164989_49ea371cfa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>When I took this photo I assumed it was pelicans flying by, but when I looked at it on the computer, I saw it was White Ibis.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562167274/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="White Ibis"><img alt="White Ibis" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562167274_697ef5448d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The next morning there was a mixed group of Black Vultures and White Ibis scavenging by the beach. It was funny to see the black and white mix.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562037778/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="White Ibis"><img alt="White Ibis" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562037778_c2cab13c87_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Scarlet-rumped tanagers are common here. The name obviously comes from the male:</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562286975/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Scarlet-rumped Tanager (male)"><img alt="Scarlet-rumped Tanager (male)" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562286975_cd7ebc7835_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The female has quite different coloring:</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562164569/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Scarlet-rumped Tanager (female)"><img alt="Scarlet-rumped Tanager (female)" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562164569_d00582fb3c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There are quite a few yellow birds here. I'm pretty sure this is a Tropical Kingbird.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562037008/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Tropical Kingbird"><img alt="Tropical Kingbird" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562037008_4e61efed83_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There are so many showy flowers. Quite amazing to a prairie person.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562166009/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="flower"><img alt="flower" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562166009_cfbe7e888f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562285905/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="flowers"><img alt="flowers" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562285905_72db4587c9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53561838791/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Passion flower"><img alt="Passion flower" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53561838791_01a17247b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>(I only noticed the hovering insect when I looked at the photo afterwards.)</p>
<p>So far no one <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/200271772" target="_blank">on iNaturalist</a> has identified which kind of Anole (a kind of lizard) this is.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562036053/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="anole"><img alt="anole" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562036053_4333f5ef27_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were various butterflies around, but they didn't seem to ever sit still. Perhaps understandable in +35c heat!</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562285220/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="Tropical-Checkered Skipper ?"><img alt="Tropical-Checkered Skipper ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562285220_1fae7c597a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We got rained out from flying one day, but the cloud show was impressive.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53562037413/in/album-72177720315170396/" title="clouds"><img alt="clouds" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53562037413_b4dff3238d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720315170396/" target="_blank">22 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-39664418479399376032024-02-28T19:29:00.001-06:002024-03-16T15:18:31.738-06:00Monte Verde<p>Monte Verde (green mountain) is one of Costa Rica's premier ecotourism areas. National Geographic called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteverde_Cloud_Forest_Reserve" target="_blank">Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve</a> "the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves". We spent several days here. At 1400 m (almost 5000 ft), the cooler temperatures were a welcome change from the heat of the coast.</p>
<p>We spent a half day hiking in the main reserve but didn't see many birds. Thick cloud forest is not the best place for bird photography. There's not much light, and when you do spot something it's almost always obscured by the vegetation. I have to admit my favorite spot was the cafe where they have a bunch of hummingbird feeders.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558280181/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Green-crowned brilliant ?"><img alt="Green-crowned brilliant ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558280181_53c98a28e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558623524/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Violet Sabrewing"><img alt="Violet Sabrewing" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558623524_2842160a88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558285016/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Purple-throated Mountain-Gem ?"><img alt="Purple-throated Mountain-Gem ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558285016_8e34ec41d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558736555/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Lesser Violetear ?"><img alt="Lesser Violetear ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558736555_16c73ab553_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558477418/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="hummingbird"><img alt="hummingbird" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558477418_54fd792203_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I still found lots to take photographs. This Leaf Katydid was on a sign by the entrance.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558726235/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Leaf Katydid"><img alt="Leaf Katydid" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558726235_55e40cf225_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I spotted the first of these insects near the entrance. But they were quite common, and I found several congregations. Although there were several different variations, I think they are different stages of the same insect. (Except there seem to be two distinct adults.)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558736795/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Red Bug nymph"><img alt="Red Bug nymph" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558736795_b7dd789100_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558487578/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Red Bug nymph"><img alt="Red Bug nymph" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558487578_33bb1f36d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557434887/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Red Bug"><img alt="Red Bug" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557434887_b52188ac89_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558626064/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Red Bug and nynphs"><img alt="Red Bug and nynphs" height="564" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558626064_5d2d562d98_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558629469/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Red Bug nymphs"><img alt="Red Bug nymphs" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558629469_d8e5ee509a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were other insects, of course.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557434002/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Mud Cricket ?"><img alt="Mud Cricket ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557434002_cf0447469e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558626594/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="fly"><img alt="fly" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558626594_087f638637_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>And, not surprisingly, various mushrooms and other fungus.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558489073/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="mushroom"><img alt="mushroom" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558489073_8e501ae09c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558292326/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="mushrooms"><img alt="mushrooms" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558292326_3de51f9114_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53559029060/in/dateposted/" title="Wood Ear ?"><img alt="Wood Ear ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53559029060_5c912c0541_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>And lots of kinds of ferns, from small translucent ones to giant tree ferns.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558293156/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="ferrn"><img alt="ferrn" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558293156_0da5a41d9c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558292876/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="fern spores"><img alt="fern spores" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558292876_f3dd7620eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558491593/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="tree fern from above"><img alt="tree fern from above" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558491593_6c0904d9a0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Humorously, I got most of my bird photos at Stella's Cafe, which had a back deck bordering a garden with a bird feeder. (It was also an excellent restaurant and coffee shop, with lots of vegetarian options for a change.)<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558294941/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Yellow-throated Euphonia ?"><img alt="Yellow-throated Euphonia ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558294941_833ae92911_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557439272/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Chachalaca"><img alt="Chachalaca" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557439272_4ce101b251_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558630854/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Red-legged Honeycreeper"><img alt="Red-legged Honeycreeper" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558630854_cdc248cf0b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558742870/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Scrub Euphonia ?"><img alt="Scrub Euphonia ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558742870_6e99ed5610_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53592145715/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Lesson's Motmot"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53592145715_df39e63b27_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Lesson's Motmot"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53591903713/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Northern Emerald-Toucanet"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53591903713_2f35166e63_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Northern Emerald-Toucanet"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It was funny to see a "Baltimore" Oriole. It was eating the Bougainvillea flowers.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558630659/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Baltimore Oriole"><img alt="Baltimore Oriole" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558630659_5e40bd2302_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The squirrels also took advantage of the bird feeder.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558308201/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Variegated Squirrel"><img alt="Variegated Squirrel" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558308201_4148340e11_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558755470/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Variegated Squirrel"><img alt="Variegated Squirrel" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558755470_27a8158e22_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Even an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agouti" target="_blank">agouti</a> came to visit, probably eating what fell off the feeder.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557452097/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Agouti"><img alt="Agouti" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557452097_c3a1a6504a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>It was late by the time I got to the butterfly garden, so I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, but it's always good to see them.</p>
<p>Quite a few insects mimic leaves as camouflage. This Tiger Leafwing does a good job.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558743465/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Tiger Leafwing"><img alt="Tiger Leafwing" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558743465_4c544a4464_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The Blue Morphos are one of the larger butterflies. They also have interesting caterpillars.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557441552/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Blue Morpho butterfly"><img alt="Blue Morpho butterfly" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557441552_5cc22b7871_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557441337/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Blue Morpho caterpillar"><img alt="Blue Morpho caterpillar" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557441337_de35ea625d_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557444317/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Malachite butterfly"><img alt="Malachite butterfly" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557444317_e9daa6b7bd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557445072/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Tiger Longwing"><img alt="Tiger Longwing" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557445072_8c2b55ffd5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I found this clearwing outside the greenhouses.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557445992/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Thick-tipped Greta"><img alt="Thick-tipped Greta" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557445992_e499e9fa7f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Our last morning we went to a smaller privately owned family reserve that also grew some bananas and coffee to support the reserve. I bought some of their coffee and it was excellent. Again, we didn't see many birds but there were insects and spiders.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557447837/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="wasp"><img alt="wasp" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557447837_f4ac73c487_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558503423/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="butterfly"><img alt="butterfly" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558503423_45980b44a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53558303876/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="jumping spider"><img alt="jumping spider" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53558303876_9465f702f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53557450872/in/album-72177720315128961/" title="Mabel Orchard Orbweaver"><img alt="Mabel Orchard Orbweaver" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53557450872_d8002f5502_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="about:invalid#zSoyz" target="_blank">80 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-45703758371063598292024-02-16T20:50:00.004-06:002024-03-03T17:05:58.573-06:00Cerro Lodge Part 2<p>It took me several days before I realized that there was a decent sized iguana living in the tree opposite my cabin. I only saw it in the morning and evening. I'm not sure where it went the rest of the time.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532329815/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Black Spiny-tailed Iguana ?"><img alt="Black Spiny-tailed Iguana ?" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532329815_8e608fdbfd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I also had a few more visitors to my outdoor bathroom. One night, just beyond the Giant Toad, I realized there was a smaller frog. According to iNaturalist it's a Slim-fingered Rain Frog. Interestingly, I see they are thought to have "direct development", meaning the eggs develop directly into frogs without a tadpole stage. It's amazing to be able to take this kind of photo at night, in very dim light, with only a small led light panel. Cameras are amazing these days.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531008457/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Slim-fingered Rain Frog"><img alt="Slim-fingered Rain Frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531008457_81a54206ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The next visitor was another little Yellow Tree Frog which I discovered on the shower curtain (after I showered). The last one had been very calm and ignored me totally. But this one didn't appreciate having a camera in its face. I got one shot and then it started rapidly climbing up the shower curtain.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532227349/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Yellow tree frog"><img alt="Yellow tree frog" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532227349_01db8ee2f9_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532339850/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Yellow tree frog"><img alt="Yellow tree frog" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532339850_eb09c45954_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I got a second shot when it paused at the top, but then it jumped - onto my shoulder. I tried to get a shot in the bathroom mirror of it on my bare shoulder but it jumped again. It couldn't have gone far, but I couldn't find it again. It could have hidden under a leaf or rock as soon as it landed, or it could have been in plain sight. They blend in so well they can be impossible to see even when they're not hidden.</p>
<p>There weren't a lot of flowers around outside the lodge. Maybe because it's the dry season? There were a few flowering trees.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531901026/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="flowers"><img alt="flowers" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531901026_26ec72f7e6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I found this pretty Butterfly Pea (I think) in a ditch when I was out running. (I had my phone to navigate.)<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532330505/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="butterfly pea ?"><img alt="butterfly pea ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532330505_d4a61a0ab5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Plants have different strategies with seeds. One approach is to make a small number of large fruits to provide resources to the seeds. The other approach is the make a huge number of smaller, lighter seeds. This seed was definitely on this end of the spectrum. It was extremely light. It would disperse well in the wind but the seeds would have very little resources to start with. </p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532087253/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="seed"><img alt="seed" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532087253_9d1e83b071_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I managed to photograph a few more butterflies.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532086658/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Gulf Fritillary ?"><img alt="Gulf Fritillary ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532086658_b62471f4c2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531907526/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Cracker butterfly"><img alt="Cracker butterfly" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531907526_6b307d2c4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531016792/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Western Giant Swallowtail ?"><img alt="Western Giant Swallowtail ?" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531016792_67b94b7f3e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>And one of the infrequent dragonflies.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532094948/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Carmine Skimmer"><img alt="Carmine Skimmer" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532094948_0ce956fd4a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I found this Katydid in the restaurant bathroom but managed to pick it up and take it outside where it promptly took flight. Luckily it didn't go far and just landed on the wall. At first I thought this was the same kind as the one from the restaurant ceiling, but it turned out to be a different species.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532095563/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Katydid"><img alt="Katydid" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532095563_40cd5428f8_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I was photographing these flowers when I noticed this tiny insect. It turns out to also be a katydid, although to me it doesn't look much like one.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531016607/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="insect"><img alt="insect" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531016607_206113b37e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>One morning I walked over to the "crocodile bridge". It's a bit of a tourist trap but it's always interesting to see them. It's now illegal but in the past they fed them which is why they congregate around the bridge. I encountered another runner on one of my morning runs and their advice was "watch out for the crocodiles by the river". Don't have to worry about that in Canada! These are salt water crocodiles, not alligators.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532338060/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="American Crocodile"><img alt="American Crocodile" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532338060_491738715f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532093873/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="American Crocodile"><img alt="American Crocodile" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532093873_ce8ba6be2d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I spotted a Yellow-crowned night heron by the river.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531014807/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Yellow-crowned Night Heron"><img alt="Yellow-crowned Night Heron" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531014807_c271e42700_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The Scarlet Macaws also seemed to congregate near the river. I saw a group of about 14 at one point. I even managed this lucky shot of two flying. They tend to make such a racket that they're easy to find.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531907181/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Scarlet Macaw"><img alt="Scarlet Macaw" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531907181_7ddaf3f1ca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Of course, there were lots of other birds around. These Turquoise-browed Motmots are quite common but they are still fabulous birds.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532338830/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Turquoise-browed motmot"><img alt="Turquoise-browed motmot" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532338830_4ecc9b75dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I saw two kinds of Trogons - Black-headed and Slaty-tailed. </p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531006767/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Black-headed Trogon ?"><img alt="Black-headed Trogon ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531006767_2347da615e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532340230/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Slaty-tailed Trogon ?"><img alt="Slaty-tailed Trogon ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532340230_cddaec1dd6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>These White-throated Magpie Jays were a fancy cross between a magpie and a jay.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532219054/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="White-throated Magpie-Jay"><img alt="White-throated Magpie-Jay" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532219054_f8d6686e1e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I saw quite a few of these, but I don't know if they were <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_flycatcher" target="_blank">Social Flycatchers</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_kiskadee" target="_blank">Great Kiskadees</a> since they're almost identical, and I didn't pay attention to their singing.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532332020/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Social Flycatcher"><img alt="Social Flycatcher" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532332020_74c89a72cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>These Streak-backed Orioles were one of the most colorful birds around the lodge.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531015757/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Streak-backed Oriole"><img alt="Streak-backed Oriole" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531015757_7b5fe11469_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Rufous-tailed hummingbirds were common around the lodge, but they rarely paused for more than a second so they were hard to photograph. This one decided to cooperate and rest in a tree opposite the restaurant.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532227219/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Rufous-tailed Hummingbird"><img alt="Rufous-tailed Hummingbird" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532227219_567f3bd23e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I love the blue eye around the orange eyes on the White-winged Doves.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53532227029/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="White-winged Dove"><img alt="White-winged Dove" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53532227029_3d31d6cd16_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>One of the advantages of being in one place for several days was that the staff got to know me and several times made the effort to point out birds to me, like this Yellow-throated Toucan that was in a tree right behind my cabin but almost impossible to spot. All you could see was a bit of its (large) beak. But from the road outside the lodge I managed to find a better angle.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53531909296/in/album-72177720314834424/" title="Yellow-throated Toucan"><img alt="Yellow-throated Toucan" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53531909296_59dcf4a155_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314834424/" target="_blank">70 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-34626977972926436102024-02-11T20:34:00.002-06:002024-02-11T20:34:49.784-06:00Cerro Lodge<p>I had a few days before joining my paragliding/nature group so I looked on the internet and ended up at Cerro (hill) Lodge. I didn't know much about it but it looked good to me - small, nature oriented, a decent looking restaurant.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523592784/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Cerro Lodge"><img alt="Cerro Lodge" height="453" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523592784_66e6b3e119_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I ended up with a cabin of my own (with three beds!). It has air conditioning but I barely use it. It's hot enough, but it seems wasteful to me. I can sleep even when it's warm. And it does cool off a bit at night.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523704085/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Cerro Lodge"><img alt="Cerro Lodge" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523704085_ff8c0711db_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There is a nice little pool. You can often tell how well a place is looked after by looking at the pool. It doesn't take long to get grungy if it's not constantly maintained. This one looked good.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523704285/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Cerro Lodge"><img alt="Cerro Lodge" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523704285_0e0083e3be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There wasn't any bougainvillea, but lots of hibiscus.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522378122/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Hibiscus flower"><img alt="Hibiscus flower" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522378122_31e4261597_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I got there mid-afternoon so I didn't have time for much the first day. I was happy to see geckos on the ceiling of the restaurant.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522376352/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="House Gecko"><img alt="House Gecko" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522376352_4176b89b0a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The restaurant had a good view of the sunset.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523449318/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="sunset"><img alt="sunset" height="460" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523449318_35de327ca6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Supper the first night was highlighted by insects that I assume were attracted to the light. They kept landing on the table beside me where they definitely weren't appreciated. The best one was a praying mantis that landed on the person beside me's back. I wasn't sure about the protocol for photographing insects on a stranger's back. I tried to tell him there was something on his back but it then ran up his back and neck and up to the top of his head and then flew away. Here are two that I did manage to photograph. (with my iPhone)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523594684/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Longhorn beetle"><img alt="Longhorn beetle" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523594684_b96e3a7628_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522380167/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Katydid ?"><img alt="Katydid ?" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522380167_80a71458eb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>My cabin had an outdoor bathroom, which I think is cool, but some of the reviews complained about.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523651981/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="outdoor bathroom"><img alt="outdoor bathroom" height="284" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523651981_3778b4b3a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p> Just before going to bed, I went out to the bathroom. And found a yellow tree frog on the toilet seat. Very cool. I had to go and get my light and macro lens to photograph it.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523449888/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Yellow Tree Frog"><img alt="Yellow Tree Frog" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523449888_998398f697_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Once I was finished with the photography I gently move it off the toilet seat. At which point I realized there was something else watching me. Can you spot it?</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53524019209/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="spot the toad"><img alt="spot the toad" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53524019209_9e9cb87cf1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>It was a Giant Toad, about the size of half a grapefruit. There was a dripping pipe beside this that kept the dirt damp and it has returned to this exact location each night. I imagine some guests might not appreciate it. Of course, they might not notice it either.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523706110/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Giant Toad"><img alt="Giant Toad" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523706110_7b670a8420_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>What most people seem to come here for are the Scarlet Macaws. They have feeders for them on the restaurant patio and they come every day. They seem quite adjusted to people in close proximity.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523282401/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Scarlet Macaw"><img alt="Scarlet Macaw" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523282401_413646d640_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522383357/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Scarlet Macaw"><img alt="Scarlet Macaw" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522383357_c570acb87d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523286301/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Scarlet Macaw"><img alt="Scarlet Macaw" height="388" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523286301_e558c0eea7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>After feeding, sometimes they fly down to the pool to have a drink.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523291816/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Scarlet Macaw"><img alt="Scarlet Macaw" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523291816_7cbcedfd8a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The Black Vultures also stopped by to drink from the pool, but they didn't get fed :-)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523462263/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Black Vulture"><img alt="Black Vulture" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523462263_1047ddf3f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were a variety of other birds around as well.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523457568/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Summer Tanager (female)"><img alt="Summer Tanager (female)" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523457568_709f3cf795_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522387782/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Rufous-naped Wren"><img alt="Rufous-naped Wren" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522387782_baed35debc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523716575/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Ruddy Ground Dove"><img alt="Ruddy Ground Dove" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523716575_da0131c499_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523607494/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Orange-chinned Parakeet"><img alt="Orange-chinned Parakeet" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523607494_b9dc012234_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523596694/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Hoffmann's Woodpecker"><img alt="Hoffmann's Woodpecker" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523596694_95d2f3d9b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>When the birds aren't around, I'm just as happy to photograph some of the many butterflies (when they sit still long enough).</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522384472/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Tiger Heliconian"><img alt="Tiger Heliconian" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522384472_9ee4ae4ec6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523605494/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Gulf Fritillary ?"><img alt="Gulf Fritillary ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523605494_d3f9d57117_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523712405/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Banded Peacock"><img alt="Banded Peacock" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523712405_0a2c2763c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523457288/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="White Peacock"><img alt="White Peacock" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523457288_3056f80182_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522386512/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Orion Cecropian ?"><img alt="Orion Cecropian ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522386512_407cc2465f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>While butterflies are pretty, I was happy with whatever insects I could find (other than mosquitoes!)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53522380637/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Two-spotted Cotton Stainer"><img alt="Two-spotted Cotton Stainer" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522380637_1dd97ecbb2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523287776/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Planthopper"><img alt="Planthopper" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523287776_843b0d43c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523459698/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Northern Warrior Wasp"><img alt="Northern Warrior Wasp" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523459698_c86ecfb636_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>This large (3 inches) Katydid crawled around on the ceiling of the restaurant for most of one day. I like the yellow eyes. I'm sure most people didn't notice it. Luckily it didn't fall in anyone's soup :-)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523461023/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Leaf Katydid"><img alt="Leaf Katydid" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523461023_ceca71ae28_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>This scorpion would have been more exciting if it wasn't dead, but it was still neat to see.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523461908/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Bark Scorpion (dead)"><img alt="Bark Scorpion (dead)" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523461908_3f2449b814_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>On the more charismatic side, there are also Variegated Squirrels around.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53523611109/in/album-72177720314729588/" title="Variegated Squirrel"><img alt="Variegated Squirrel" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53523611109_5493d7f2a1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>That's a sampling from my first day and a half. Lots more to come if I can keep up with editing and identifying.</p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314729588/" target="_blank">63 photos in this batch</a></p>
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Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-83776397189853980092024-02-09T14:16:00.000-06:002024-03-03T17:06:09.176-06:00Hotel Aeropuerto<p>Since I arrived late, I booked a night at a hotel near the airport. I wasn't expecting too much, but it was supposed to have some gardens. The gardens were fairly wild, but that was ok. I managed to find a few things to photograph :-) There were, of course, tropical flowers.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519236799/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085453"><img alt="20240208-P2085453" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519236799_bb865b2b23_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53518034672/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085511"><img alt="20240208-P2085511" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518034672_dff14a9b75_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53518036117/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085560"><img alt="20240208-P2085560" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518036117_022b2c53da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519237929/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085506"><img alt="20240208-P2085506" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519237929_52e28f6a67_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>And where there are flowers there are often butterflies. As usual, they were a challenge to photograph. There were more kinds but they didn't sit still for me.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519236349/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Hermes Satyr ?"><img alt="Hermes Satyr ?" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519236349_f7eba66f7f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519237294/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Black-spot Remella"><img alt="Black-spot Remella" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519237294_c0c8c150dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519093488/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Barnes' Metalmark"><img alt="Barnes' Metalmark" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519093488_ffe86cb9d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There was even some butterfly themed decoration.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519355005/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085551"><img alt="20240208-P2085551" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519355005_37064b1e3e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were a few damselflies (I didn't see any dragonflies)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53518036277/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Cerulean Dancer"><img alt="Cerulean Dancer" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518036277_b3249e6edd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were lots of spider webs around, but I didn't see too many spiders. These Spinybacked Orbweavers hung from a single strand, which meant they were constantly spinning and swinging so I didn't get very good photos.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519237044/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Spinybacked Orbweaver"><img alt="Spinybacked Orbweaver" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519237044_e428559817_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I'm always impressed by the odd fruits and seeds. I have no idea what they are.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53518034872/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085525"><img alt="20240208-P2085525" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518034872_e28489801d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519092238/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085555"><img alt="20240208-P2085555" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519092238_647eb9d472_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53518923876/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="20240208-P2085483"><img alt="20240208-P2085483" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518923876_16eb2351f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were birds around but none that I was able to photograph. I was lucky to catch this Variegated Tree Squirrel</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53519240174/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Variegated tree squirrel"><img alt="Variegated tree squirrel" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53519240174_7e420f8492_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53518926716/in/album-72177720314678546/" title="Variegated tree squirrel"><img alt="Variegated tree squirrel" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518926716_9c642004dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314678546/" target="_blank">19 photos in this batch</a></p>
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Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-29628884776659370682024-02-08T11:21:00.003-06:002024-03-03T17:06:17.923-06:00Window Seat<p>It was a long day from Vancouver to Costa Rica. I was up at 4:30 (am) to catch the 5:05 shuttle to the airport. I got down to the lobby in what I thought was plenty of time at 4:55 and the shuttle was leaving. I'm not sure what happened to 5:05 but it gave me momentary stress. Of course, the airport was quiet at that time and I got checked in and through security easily and quickly. (Other than having to unload & reload my backpack of all my gadgets - laptop, ipad, phone, ereader, camera, telephoto lens) I was even early enough there wasn't a lineup at Starbucks :-) Once I had my coffee and relaxed I still had lots of time to kill so I figured I might as well move a little before sitting all day. I ended up getting 5000 steps exploring.</p>
<p>Of course, I'd booked a Window seat so I could watch the world go by. I had my camera but I ended up using my phone since it was easier to handle in the tight space.</p>
<p>One of the best views - sunrise on the coast mountains, was right at the beginning of the flight.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516966328/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2190"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2190" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516966328_2f6f3633b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>It was pretty cloudy most of the way, so the view was mostly like this:</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516802506/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2195"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2195" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516802506_3ed5d4531b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516804726/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2240"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2240" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516804726_6ce8bf0fe6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were a few spots where the mountains poked through the clouds.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516969223/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2226"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2226" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516969223_8459b2431b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516805216/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2248"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2248" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516805216_0160a04037_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Arriving in Toronto there was a little more to see.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516805696/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2276"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2276" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516805696_8812011f95_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516971203/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2263"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2263" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516971203_3324c2fdcb_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53516806311/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2267"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2267" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516806311_1166e4ec78_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53517240400/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2270"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2270" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517240400_f37a53a025_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The flight from Toronto wasn't as good for photos - my window wasn't clear and the sun went down.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53515924862/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="from the air"><img alt="from the air" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53515924862_7113ae6f24_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>My iPhone struggled to focus on this distant plane going by.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53517128984/in/album-72177720314655751/" title="20240207-IMG_2296"><img alt="20240207-IMG_2296" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517128984_2d57d58b83_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Thankfully my luggage (with my paraglider!) made it. It was the usual chaos coming out of the airport but I managed to find my hotel pickup without too much trouble. It was a quick ride to the hotel (near the airport) and I was glad to get into my room and finally be done for the day. I passed 10,000 steps arriving in Costa Rica.</p>
<p>See <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314655751/" target="_blank">all 14 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-39635907070178497952024-02-06T21:45:00.002-06:002024-03-03T17:06:26.831-06:00Richmond<p>Back to the present and I'm heading for Costa Rica for paragliding and nature photography. I had to spend the night in an airport hotel to catch an early morning flight so I took a walk around. It's not a very scenic area, but there was a path by the river. I figure I better post these before I start taking a zillion photos in Costa Rica.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53513044007/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="selfie"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53513044007_585eab5f9c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="selfie"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>This rabbit was my first encounter. It didn't seem too afraid of me. It looks more like an escaped pet rabbit than a native one.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514364555/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="20240206-IMG_2179"><img alt="20240206-IMG_2179" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514364555_aa26c42750_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There was a bald eagle by the river but without my big lens I didn't get very good shots of it.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514248704/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="bald eagle"><img alt="bald eagle" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514248704_3a4dc6a199_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514248889/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="bald eagle"><img alt="bald eagle" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514248889_6883136d38_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514102858/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="bald eagle"><img alt="bald eagle" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514102858_9a1448990a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Otherwise there was just the river bank and remnants of vegetation.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53513927136/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="bulrushes"><img alt="bulrushes" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53513927136_2eb320433a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53513927366/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="grass seeds"><img alt="grass seeds" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53513927366_d91aabb90f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514249084/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="river"><img alt="river" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514249084_756646e37f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Of course, there were also reflections.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514102218/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514102218_51d2a79157_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53513927671/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53513927671_da816a5a81_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514249299/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514249299_fcaea0c8a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53514365825/in/album-72177720314616952/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53514365825_95a7981b60_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-70968623189222552862024-02-05T22:05:00.000-06:002024-03-03T17:07:05.132-06:00Sedona<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53512171234/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="landscape"><img alt="landscape" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53512171234_96ba6bbe8c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The landscape around <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZW1SzbetvtMo6teq6" target="_blank">Sedona</a> is impressive, and there are some nice trails, but I wasn't too excited about it this time around. It's very touristy. I think my favorite spot was the <a href="https://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/parks-recreation/city-parks/sedona-wetlands-preserve" target="_blank">Sedona Wetlands Preserve</a> which is part of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. The birds didn't seem to care where the water came from.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53512284650/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="Canyon Towhee"><img alt="Canyon Towhee" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53512284650_4a90747394_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53510962612/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="Black Phoebe"><img alt="Black Phoebe" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53510962612_19c61a99e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53512287455/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="Ring-necked duck"><img alt="Ring-necked duck" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53512287455_bb746f0877_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53512286770/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="bulrushes"><img alt="bulrushes" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53512286770_21f5e27476_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53512287255/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53512287255_d16ed1f704_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53511856626/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="White-checkered Skipper ?"><img alt="White-checkered Skipper ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53511856626_daff50b85f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53508474776/in/datetaken-public/" title="dark-eyed junco"><img alt="dark-eyed junco" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53508474776_70ef5f2292_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I loved the long bushy tail on this Arizona Gray Squirrel.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53508791884/in/datetaken-public/" title="Arizona Gray squirrel"><img alt="Arizona Gray squirrel" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53508791884_f639587a46_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I think my best find was this striped oak-apple wasp gall. These wasps lay their eggs in oak leaves and cause these galls to form where the wasp larva develops. Most galls I see are drab green or brown, but this one is quite striking with the red stripes.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53508900335/in/datetaken-public/" title="striped oak-apple gall wasp"><img alt="striped oak-apple gall wasp" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53508900335_215ff20781_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53510963037/in/album-72177720314593637/" title="sunset"><img alt="sunset" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53510963037_96d4805cff_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We usually try to avoid driving in the dark, especially in the mountains, but we miscalcuted this time. We probably should have taken a chance on the one campground sign we passed, but we didn't know anything about it or even whether it was open. I had in mind a campground near Prescott that we'd stayed at in the past but when we got there it was full. A second campsite was closed. By this point we were tired and impatient so we picked a hotel. We lucked out with <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qiv8bdzdywWZGMcw7" target="_blank">Forest Villa Hotel</a>, which was not too expensive, and had a nice lobby where we could unwind over a glass of wine. And the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/8tWioZ7Kn4HT2VXs6" target="_blank">Highlands Center for Natural History</a> was nearby for us to go for a walk in the morning.</p>
<p>See <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314593637" target="_blank">all 15 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-90510904518881314622024-02-03T19:35:00.000-06:002024-03-03T17:06:46.832-06:00Boyce Thompson Arboretum<p>Another favorite spot. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyce_Thompson_Arboretum" target="_blank">Boyce Thompson Arboretum</a> is the oldest (100 years) and largest (392 acres) botanical garden in Arizona, an hour's drive east of Phoenix. It's in the Sonoran desert, but it's along Queen creek so it gets a variety of birds and other wildlife. Some were familiar, like this white crowned sparrow, others we don't get farther north. It's a somewhat random assortment of photos, just whatever I spotted that I could get a decent shot of.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506591459/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="White-crowned sparrow"><img alt="White-crowned sparrow" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506591459_607f516756_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>This spotted orbweaver is similar to the cross orbweavers we get at home.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506592234/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Western Spotted Orbweaver"><img alt="Western Spotted Orbweaver" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506592234_4f7869482a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>These Variegated Meadowhawks were the most common dragonflies we saw on this trip.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506592329/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Variegated Meadowhawk"><img alt="Variegated Meadowhawk" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506592329_71c770fc24_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Of course, there were lots of different kinds of cactus.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506437238/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="hairy cactus"><img alt="hairy cactus" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506437238_28a78fbb55_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>It wasn't the right time of year for most of the cactus to be flowering but there were a few.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506285131/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="cactus flower"><img alt="cactus flower" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506285131_55cd02be65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506289141/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="cactus flower"><img alt="cactus flower" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506289141_cec1793397_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>These relatively rare cristate or fasciated variations make interesting patterns.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506711885/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="cristate or fasciated cactus"><img alt="cristate or fasciated cactus" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506711885_b7fed67342_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>In the desert, it's not just the cactus that protect themselves with thorns.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506706120/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="thorns"><img alt="thorns" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506706120_d0f929f1b9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were enough other flowers to keep the hummingbirds busy. I didn't have a lot of luck photographing them though - they are just too darn fast!</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506711715/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Costa's Hummingbird ?"><img alt="Costa's Hummingbird ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506711715_5c07f9a88e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were also lots of agaves and yuccas. I didn't spot any flowers, but there were flower buds on some of the agaves.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506433703/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Agave flower buds"><img alt="Agave flower buds" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506433703_84dc7fb9a0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506285546/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Agave"><img alt="Agave" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506285546_2b2535eb07_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506975893/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Agave"><img alt="Agave" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506975893_49fc007962_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We followed this Northern Cardinal around for quite a while but it wouldn't come out in the open. This was the best shot I could get.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53505398982/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Northern Cardinal"><img alt="Northern Cardinal" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53505398982_713d88c904_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>This wasp was a little more cooperative. I think it's a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula_hawk" target="_blank">Tarantula Hawk Wasp</a>, but no one has identified it yet on iNaturalist. Spider wasps sting their prey to paralyze it and then drag it to a burrow where they lay an egg on it, which will hatch and feed on the spider, keeping it alive as long as possible. The brightly colored wings are a warning that they have a powerful sting (one of the most painful insect stings).</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506288121/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Tarantula-hawk wasp ?"><img alt="Tarantula-hawk wasp ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506288121_5ace5e3a93_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>This flower is known as Mexican Hat, but I know it better as Prairie Coneflower.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506439783/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Prairie Coneflower ?"><img alt="Prairie Coneflower ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506439783_ef18dcff8a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>As well as native plants, there are lots of plants from other places, like this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceiba_speciosa" target="_blank">Floss Silk Tree</a> from South America. It belongs to the same family as baobobs and other kapok trees. Notice the honey bee approaching.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53505395787/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Floss silk tree flower & bee"><img alt="Floss silk tree flower & bee" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53505395787_827a8ef6a9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There weren't a lot of butterflies around but this Fatal Metalmark was a new one to me. I didn't notice any metallic spots on its wings, but it was bit worn and ragged, probably overwintering?</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506282126/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Fatal Metalmark"><img alt="Fatal Metalmark" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506282126_2cc1fbda7e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Painted Ladies are more common. I think I like the undersides of their wings better than the top.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506283006/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="Painted Lady butterfly"><img alt="Painted Lady butterfly" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506283006_85c6618cd8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I'm not sure what this flower was.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53506708835/in/album-72177720314547773/" title="flower"><img alt="flower" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53506708835_064fc5223d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See also <a href="https://spiritandadventure.blogspot.com/2023/11/fall-road-trip-2023-boyce-thompson.html" target="_blank">Shelley's blog post</a></p>
<p>See <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314547773/" target="_blank">all 48 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-48745938424207166892024-01-22T22:21:00.000-06:002024-01-22T22:21:06.562-06:00Antlers<p>I found this antler on the lawn by our place. It's not too surprising, there are lots of deer around (black tailed, a kind of <a href="https://www.naturecompanion.ca/animals/muledeer/" target="_blank">mule deer</a>) and this is the time of year they shed their antlers.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53480720577/in/datetaken-public/" title="antler"><img alt="antler" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53480720577_0af587d31d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Antlers (e.g. deer, elk, moose) are bone that grows out of the skull. Usually only males have them, although both male and female <a href="https://www.naturecompanion.ca/animals/caribou/" target="_blank">caribou</a> have antlers. Horns on the other hand (e.g. sheep, goats, bison) are covered in keratin, the same material as our fingernails, and usually aren't shed. When antlers are growing, they are covered in skin, known as velvet, that provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing bone. Once the antler is grown it loses the skin and the bone dies.</p>
<p>Shedding the antlers is triggered by the length of the day and testosterone level. Special cells called osteoclasts dissolve the bone at the base allowing it to detach. Judging by the pink base (presumably remnants of blood supply) I think this was quite recently shed.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53481623336/in/datetaken-public/" title="antler"><img alt="antler" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53481623336_8d93dd8288_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53480720162/in/datetaken-public/" title="antler"><img alt="antler" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53480720162_1dc66b75e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-39184887289962547382024-01-21T11:13:00.000-06:002024-01-21T11:13:10.580-06:00Macauley Point<p>A few photos from a walk at Macauley Point just after our cold spell. I didn't have my big telephoto lens, so of course I wished I had it :-)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53476383643/in/album-72177720314218038/" title="Bald Eagle"><img alt="Bald Eagle" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476383643_798bbabd50_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53476552339/in/album-72177720314218038/" title="Bald Eagle"><img alt="Bald Eagle" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476552339_6044807661_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>In the first photo you can see a rounded hump in the water beyond the bald eagle. I think that was a sea lion. It must have been lying on a submerged rock. Every so often it would stick its head or fin out of the water, but never enough to get a good look. We don't usually see sea lions in Victoria. (Mostly just harbor seals.)<br /></p>
<p>The other thing we don't see very often here is ice.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53476655550/in/album-72177720314218038/" title="ice"><img alt="ice" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476655550_116e06439c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53476655780/in/album-72177720314218038/" title="icicles"><img alt="icicles" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476655780_b99887e821_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>No shortage of sparrows or water and reflections, of course.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53476241976/in/album-72177720314218038/" title="song sparrow ?"><img alt="song sparrow ?" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53476241976_fdb1c90712_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53475333272/in/album-72177720314218038/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53475333272_fa16b8cacb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314218038" target="_blank">11 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-4416833605714839352024-01-17T22:20:00.001-06:002024-01-17T22:20:19.925-06:00Patience<p>It snowed all day today. This great blue heron showed up in the morning and was still there when it got dark. As far as I noticed, it never left. Usually they don't stay long so at first I didn't bother getting out the camera. But it seemed to settle in so I got out the telephoto lens and the teleconverter for roughly 1100 mm (almost 10x a new iPhone's 120mm "telephoto"). I didn't want to go out in the snow, so I shot through the dirty window. I did get out the monopod since even with good image stabilization it's too hard to hold that long a lens steady. The tree it was in is across the street and past the next house so I wasn't expecting too much, but with a little processing it came out ok.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53471113063/in/datetaken-public/" title="patience"><img alt="patience" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53471113063_2698214418_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Later, after dark, I saw a heron by the water. Can they see to catch fish at night? If it's the same one, why did it wait till dark to go fishing?</p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-47395092755057137212024-01-16T21:52:00.001-06:002024-01-16T21:52:50.912-06:00Road Trip Day 14, 15 - Chiricahua Mountains<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465149455/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="landscape"><img alt="landscape" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465149455_e0a774fc85_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiricahua_Mountains" target="_blank">Chiricahua Mountains</a> are in the south east corner of Arizona. They are sometimes referred to as one of the "sky islands", rising 6000 feet above the desert around them. This gives them a variety of climates - five of the nine different life zones are found here. The area attracts bird watchers to see the 375 species of birds. Perhaps the last jaguar in the United States is found here.</p>
<p>There is a surrounding national forest, a wilderness area, and a smaller national monument. I think the monument on the west side is probably the more popular part but I met some people who had a home in Portal on the east side, so that's where we've visited before and did again on this trip. This was the only place we spent two nights in the same place on this trip. It was relatively quiet and we enjoyed some nice hikes.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53464864593/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Shelley on trail"><img alt="Shelley on trail" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53464864593_bc54a39f4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I think we saw more birdwatchers than kinds of birds. As much as I like photographing birds, I'm not a serious birder. Mostly we saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_jay" target="_blank">Mexican Jays</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_woodpecker" target="_blank">Acorn Woodpeckers</a>.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465151180/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Mexican Jay with acorn"><img alt="Mexican Jay with acorn" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465151180_67a1998d7c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465150320/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Mexican Jay"><img alt="Mexican Jay" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465150320_cfcd06bd45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465042979/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Acorn Woodpecker"><img alt="Acorn Woodpecker" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465042979_41653ef70a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53464867278/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Acorn Woodpecker"><img alt="Acorn Woodpecker" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53464867278_3de997fa69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Acorn Woodpeckers store their acorns in holes they drill (and reuse) in "granary" trees. As the acorns dry out and shrink they move them to smaller holes, requiring considerable maintenance. They also have to defend them from other birds. They are cooperative breeders living in groups of up to 15 birds.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465151420/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Acorn Woodpecker"><img alt="Acorn Woodpecker" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465151420_b6e10b872a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>It was fun to watch this group of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_turkey" target="_blank">wild turkeys</a> scratching through the dead leaves. I'm not sure what they were finding to eat - insects? seeds?<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53463816067/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="wild turkey"><img alt="wild turkey" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53463816067_e9f1a38013_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were also some interesting plants. I think these are Mountain Yucca fruit: (roughly pear sized)<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465149115/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Mountain Yucca fruit ?"><img alt="Mountain Yucca fruit ?" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465149115_febf625d67_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were some tall agave seed stalks. They are sometimes called "century" plants because they only flower once, at the end of a long life (although not necessarily a century) and then they die. If you shook the stacks the seeds would come raining down.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53464726226/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="Shelley & agave seed stalk"><img alt="Shelley & agave seed stalk" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53464726226_1393cfaf0f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53464727046/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="yucca seeds"><img alt="yucca seeds" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53464727046_177601d8af_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53463815782/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="agave"><img alt="agave" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53463815782_a6d93f8898_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There was a lot of bear poop on one of the trails we were on. Luckily we didn't see any bears. They seemed to be eating a lot of seeds (juniper berries?) which they weren't digesting too well.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53464865308/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="bear poop"><img alt="bear poop" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53464865308_15b6e3aa82_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Most of the trees were conifers, but there were enough other trees, especially down by the creeks, to give some nice fall colors.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465043509/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="fall colors"><img alt="fall colors" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465043509_a911af056a_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53464868088/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="fall colors"><img alt="fall colors" height="468" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53464868088_1a10dac584_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Although it was getting cool at night up in the mountains, there were still a few insects around. Unfortunately no one on iNaturalist has identified this interesting beetle:</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53463816272/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="beetle"><img alt="beetle" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53463816272_9ce11e967d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>
<p>Water striders are tricky to photograph as they tend to zip around constantly. This one happened to pause long enough to catch. (with my long telephoto lens)<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465045479/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="water strider"><img alt="water strider" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465045479_e3f122a381_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were lots of deer around, not too concerned about humans. (no hunting here)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53465151990/in/album-72177720314057651/" title="White-tailed deer"><img alt="White-tailed deer" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53465151990_a5a9fbcbb4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Also see <a href="https://spiritandadventure.blogspot.com/2023/11/fall-road-trip-2023-tucson-to-portal.html" target="_blank">Shelley's post</a></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720314057651/" target="_blank">37 photos in this batch</a>.</p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-80630175086316230162024-01-13T11:08:00.001-06:002024-01-13T22:28:02.836-06:00Many-plumed moth<p>This moth appeared on the wall beside my desk. It was tiny, a little over 1/4 inch across. I ignored it at first, but then I decided I should at least have a look with a magnifying glass. Some of these tiny moths can be quite pretty when you see them up close. It turned out to be a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Many-plumed_moth">plumed moth</a>, which is unusual, so I got out the camera and macro lens. iNaturalist identified it as a Montana six-plume moth. At least it wasn't yet another invasive species for a change.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53461265806/in/datetaken-public/" title="Montana six-plume moth"><img alt="Montana six-plume moth" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53461265806_ba724d6cc3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Unlike most moths and butterflies, the wings aren't a "sheet", they're more like feathers. There are only a few species in North America. The caterpillars feed on <a href="https://www.naturecompanion.ca/trees/snow/" target="_blank">snowberry</a> bushes, which are quite common around here. The moths overwinter as adults, and the warm weather probably fooled it into emerging. When I came back from supper it had disappeared.</p>
<p>I <a href="https://sustainableadventure.blogspot.com/2023/09/morning-glory-plume-moth.html" target="_blank">photographed another plume moth a few months ago</a> but it had its wings folded up so you couldn't see the structure.</p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-59594517203654126772023-12-26T21:56:00.000-06:002023-12-26T21:56:31.835-06:00Lucky Shots<p>Shelley and I were out for a <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/mount-braden-loop" target="_blank">hike today</a> working off the Christmas goodies and we heard a loud hammering. It was a <a href="https://www.naturecompanion.ca/birds/pileated/" target="_blank">Pileated Woodpecker</a>. I was excited to see it because I've only seen them once or twice before. They're the largest woodpecker in North America. (assuming the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory-billed_woodpecker" target="_blank">Ivory-billed</a> is actually extinct) Unfortunately it was high up in the tree and I didn't have my telephoto lens. And it was quite dark in the forest under heavy clouds. I took a bunch of photos but wasn't too hopeful at 1/20 of a second at ISO 1600 with a not very sharp lens. It didn't help that it was busy hammering on the tree and I had to try to time my shots when it paused for a split second between blows. As it turned out, one shot out of 23 was half decent and cleaned up reasonable well.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53423542438/in/datetaken-public/" title="Pileated Woodpecker"><img alt="Pileated Woodpecker" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423542438_19e02e426a_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>My other lucky shot this week was a hummingbird that landed on the bush outside my window. It sat still long enough for me to get my camera, change lenses, put the lens through the blinds, and take two shots. Then it flew away. One shot was blurry and its eyes were closed. The other shot (this one) wasn't bad, considering the rush. I'm not sure why it had its tongue out.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53423386006/in/datetaken-public/" title="Anna's hummingbird"><img alt="Anna's hummingbird" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423386006_8370a1b686_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
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Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-82997856955352449912023-12-17T19:28:00.002-06:002023-12-18T11:03:35.495-06:00Road Trip Day 12, 13 - Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum<p>To quote the website, the <a href="https://www.desertmuseum.org/">Desert Museum</a> is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium. Near Tucson Arizona, it's almost 100 acres, has 242 kinds of animals and 1200 kinds of plants. We spent a full day here - the afternoon when we arrived, and the next morning. I took over a thousand photos there. (I'll try to restrain myself from inflicting too many of them on you but this is still a long post.)</p>
<p>One of the things I like about ASDM is that there is lots of natural (not captive) wildlife around - birds, insects, lizards.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402675529/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Gila Woodpecker"><img alt="Gila Woodpecker" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402675529_8ba3f4356d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53401432017/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Gila Woodpecker taking flight"><img alt="Gila Woodpecker taking flight" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53401432017_ff1fef6130_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53401428267/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Arizona Paper Wasp"><img alt="Arizona Paper Wasp" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53401428267_4e1d99eb6a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402546808/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Curve-billed thrasher ?"><img alt="Curve-billed thrasher ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402546808_c1027d2c4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402549958/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Spiny-tailed iguana"><img alt="Spiny-tailed iguana" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402549958_b99a3594d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402353606/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Cactus Wren"><img alt="Cactus Wren" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402353606_fc967e24fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402683824/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Queen butterfly ?"><img alt="Queen butterfly ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402683824_1da21cee81_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I'd never heard of an Empress Leilia butterfly until I identified this one with the help of iNaturalist.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402550138/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Empress Leilia"><img alt="Empress Leilia" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402550138_38992b9ba7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Of course, there are lots of cactus. You'd have to cover a lot of desert to see this many kinds. <a href="https://www.naturecompanion.ca/plants/prpcac/" target="_blank">Prickly pear</a> are common (even in Saskatchewan), but you don't see the purple ones as often.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402542408/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Prickly Pear cactus"><img alt="Prickly Pear cactus" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402542408_955d3aee75_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402543258/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="cactus"><img alt="cactus" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402543258_0a9fe9b9a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Cactus or succulent? Trick question, most cactus are succulents (have fleshy parts to store water).</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402786430/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="cactus"><img alt="cactus" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402786430_2a43b6b929_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402543723/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="cactus"><img alt="cactus" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402543723_79c10ab007_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There weren't many flowers around on this trip. Even in the southwest, November is quiet. But there were a few cactus flowers.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402352021/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="cactus flowers & buds"><img alt="cactus flowers & buds" height="504" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402352021_6925448f83_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402351791/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="cactus flower"><img alt="cactus flower" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402351791_90c1b25aec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouquieria_splendens" target="_blank">Ocotillos</a> only have leaves when they've had moisture. Most of the ones we'd seen in the wild were bare. But the ones here had obviously had some water.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53401428577/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="ocotillo"><img alt="ocotillo" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53401428577_58285b0d2b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were plenty of agave's as well. I learned that one way to distinguish agave's from yucca's is that agave's have spines on the leaves (like this one).<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402785815/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Agave"><img alt="Agave" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402785815_182879e9c0_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p></p>
<p>One of the highlights was the free flight show. We've seen these other places (like our local <a href="https://sustainableadventure.blogspot.com/2023/10/pacific-northwest-raptors.html" target="_blank">Pacific Northwest Raptors</a>) but this was a good one because the birds landed on all sides and quite close to the audience.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402682514/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Great horned owl"><img alt="Great horned owl" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402682514_5fa95fb325_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We've seen <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_caracara" target="_blank">Crested Caracara</a> (aka Mexican eagles) in the wild but it was nice to get a closer view. They are the second largest falcon after Gyrfalcons.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402357041/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Crested caracara"><img alt="Crested caracara" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402357041_b41e7aa157_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris%27s_hawk" target="_blank">Harris's Hawks</a> are from the southwest. They are unusual because they hunt in groups whereas most raptors hunt alone. They are common in free flight shows because they are easier to train, perhaps because they are social.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402357136/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Harris's Hawk"><img alt="Harris's Hawk" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402357136_2f477f12dc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402791675/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Harris's Hawk"><img alt="Harris's Hawk" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402791675_37acc533d0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I think the star of the desert bighorn enclosure was the unofficial resident rock squirrel and its impressive rock climbing abilities.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402541773/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Desert Bighorn Sheep"><img alt="Desert Bighorn Sheep" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402541773_5a6926a7cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402541663/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Rock Squirrel"><img alt="Rock Squirrel" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402541663_fa202b7814_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The bobcat could almost be mistaken for a house cat. It didn't seem as impressive as <a href="https://sustainableadventure.blogspot.com/2018/12/exciting-sighting.html" target="_blank">the one I'd seen in the wild</a>.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402678914/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Bobcat"><img alt="Bobcat" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402678914_6a85b77082_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I like Javalinas (Collared <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peccary" target="_blank">Peccaries</a>). Unfortunately, we couldn't get a good view of them because they were sleeping under a bush.(<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/25219589116" target="_blank">here's a better photo from Big Bend NP in Texas</a>)</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53401434397/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="javalina"><img alt="javalina" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53401434397_25f5d1d22c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>When we arrived the second morning we were greeted by this handsome <a href="https://www.naturecompanion.ca/birds/kestrel/" target="_blank">American Kestrel.</a> At the opposite end of the size scale from the Caracara, they are the smallest falcon.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402354566/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="American Kestrel"><img alt="American Kestrel" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402354566_cc9734f818_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We visited the hummingbird aviary first thing in the morning, before it got busy. As usual, they weren't especially cooperative, but we still managed a few photos.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402545683/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Rufous Hummingbird"><img alt="Rufous Hummingbird" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402545683_a611a5461f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402355156/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="Anna's hummingbird"><img alt="Anna's hummingbird" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402355156_0143696c65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402792020/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="hummingbird"><img alt="hummingbird" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402792020_258af0a16a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We had seen on the map that there was a campground nearby (<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/tSwqoh4iXEqFK5Aw7" target="_blank">Gilbert Ray</a>), which seemed perfect for visiting the museum both days. Unfortunately, it was a Friday and to our surprise they were completely booked. Weekends can be tricky when you're not booking anything in advance since winter isn't really off-season. We were sitting in the van outside the campground office searching the internet for last minute alternatives, when the woman came out and knocked on our window. Lucky for us, someone had showed up with a motor-home that wouldn't fit in the site they had reserved and so we got it. You can't beat an evening view like this.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53402354346/in/album-72177720313435803/" title="sunset"><img alt="sunset" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53402354346_44e2381c8e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See also <a href="https://spiritandadventure.blogspot.com/2023/11/fall-road-trip-2023-arizona-sonora.html" target="_blank">Shelley's post</a></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720313435803/" target="_blank">76 photos in this batch</a>.</p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-47616451974324552482023-12-13T22:33:00.000-06:002023-12-13T22:33:24.362-06:00Sunrise<p>A rare colorful sunrise in Victoria. Usually it's either clear (in the summer) or solid cloud (in the winter). These were taken with my iPhone. The colors seem a little exaggerated, but it does a surprisingly good job considering it was quite dark. I really should have gone outside to get a clear view. Instead I was moving from window to window trying to find the best angle. <br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53397055120/in/datetaken-public/" title="sunrise"><img alt="sunrise" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53397055120_317b0129ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53396930669/in/datetaken-public/" title="sunrise"><img alt="sunrise" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53396930669_5f5a275424_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53396805403/in/datetaken-public/" title="sunrise"><img alt="sunrise" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53396805403_fb17c27d05_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-59283502685975309352023-12-03T21:39:00.005-06:002023-12-03T21:39:50.864-06:00Print of the Week<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53373896891/in/datetaken-public/" title="reflections"><img alt="reflections" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53373896891_eaa16274c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I take a lot of reflection photos. Most of them don't look like much of anything. I like how this one turned out after processing to bring out the color and detail. In the morning after our stay at the Creekside Inn in Bishop we took a quick walk through the hotel grounds beside the creek. Out of habit, I took a few shots of reflections. In hindsight it was the right kind of conditions - the water was in the shade but colorful scenery around it was in the sun. As well as the color, I like the fine detail (which may not be visible on a small screen).<br /></p>
<p>Here's how it looked before adjusting it.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKq18W2fRAsIru6TkOGt69kfge6ZETbPr66iLxw2kQ2RksajW44WewSP2IKh3ZQ9QOr8zi-eCquXB1gpa9jCYZHKjO4QO-6DWbC_t8M_-HuekCdnpWOs8WkLkxoqLCZ9KJrliCXxpP86-OMTV3W7tiiRTu8p-6H61gQMQUdxFY19c8CI50c86/s1536/20231121-PB214560.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKq18W2fRAsIru6TkOGt69kfge6ZETbPr66iLxw2kQ2RksajW44WewSP2IKh3ZQ9QOr8zi-eCquXB1gpa9jCYZHKjO4QO-6DWbC_t8M_-HuekCdnpWOs8WkLkxoqLCZ9KJrliCXxpP86-OMTV3W7tiiRTu8p-6H61gQMQUdxFY19c8CI50c86/s600/20231121-PB214560.jpg" width="640" /></a>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-45019497964972103952023-12-02T19:13:00.003-06:002023-12-02T19:13:54.959-06:00Road Trip Day 10, 11 - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument<p>From Death Valley we took two days to Buckeye on the outskirts of Phoenix. Unfortunately that meant stopping near the interstate. Typically, that meant there were chain hotels and fast food and little else. We searched for somewhere better for supper but ended up at Cracker Barrel :-( Thankfully we managed to avoid descending into interstate hell other than this. (Which isn't always easy, the roads are designed to funnel you into the interstates.)<br /></p>
<p>From there we headed south. We stopped at the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/26EqERbSw7mqXCk7A" target="_blank">Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center</a> in Ajo. They had a nice natural area beside the visitor center. Right away I spotted a small bird that looked like it had something in it's beak. Unfortunately I didn't have my long telephoto lens, so this is zoomed in and not very good quality. But I was excited to see it was a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loggerhead_shrike" target="_blank">Loggerhead Shrike</a> aka a butcherbird (a first for me). They are known for impaling their prey on thorns and barbed wire fences, for storage, display, and to help with eating it. This one had caught a tiny zebra tailed lizard. </p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53370812761/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Loggerhead Shrike"><img alt="Loggerhead Shrike" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53370812761_7a08a26db6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There were actually quite a few birds in this small area, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdin" target="_blank">Verdins</a> with their yellow heads and red patch on their shoulder (another new one to me).</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53371000493/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Verdin"><img alt="Verdin" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53371000493_e0d7bb7785_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53370812876/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Black-throated sparrow"><img alt="Black-throated sparrow" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53370812876_a072162b5c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53371000723/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Gila Woodpecker"><img alt="Gila Woodpecker" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53371000723_97470d4ba8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>And of course lots of cactus including the signature <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguaro" target="_blank">Saguoros</a> of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoran_Desert" target="_blank">Sonoran desert</a>. Saguoros live up to 150 years and don't grow arms till they're 50 or more years old.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53370813066/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Saguaro"><img alt="Saguaro" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53370813066_9e9011a532_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53371000253/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Saguaro"><img alt="Saguaro" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53371000253_9fe2376a41_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53369908217/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="cactus"><img alt="cactus" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53369908217_19400f3d11_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>And chollas like this chain-fruit:</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53369907647/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Chain-fruit Cholla"><img alt="Chain-fruit Cholla" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53369907647_a07c9a3f53_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We weren't really expecting a coffee shop in Ajo (population 3000) but we checked anyway and were surprised to find two. <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/APSSTpmbVbVojRgx7" target="_blank">Oasis Coffee</a> (check out the photos) was one of my favorites from the trip. It was under the colonnade around the town plaza, reminiscent of Mexico. It was quiet, with comfortable chairs and wifi. We left Curlys Coffee Roasters for another visit. We were driving away when I spotted a gallery (<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/cNDw643eVdxXz3Bi7" target="_blank">Art Under the Arches</a>) with photographs. (Most galleries are primarily paintings.) We parked again and went in. They had some great work by local photographers. One of them was the lady minding the store.<br /></p>
<p>We continued south to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the border with Mexico. It's also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The afternoon we arrived we hiked the Red Tanks Tinaja trail. We saw a few more kinds of birds, including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambel%27s_quail" target="_blank">Gambel's Quail</a> (from a distance) and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phainopepla" target="_blank">Phainopepla</a> (aka Silky Flycatchers).</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53369908777/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Gambel's Quails"><img alt="Gambel's Quails" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53369908777_70f86f403e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53371127229/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Phainopepla"><img alt="Phainopepla" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53371127229_7a562a7bc5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I stopped to look at something else and noticed this little lizard motionless on a log. It was blocked by some (of course, thorny) bushes so I couldn't get the best angle. iNaturalist helped identify it as an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urosaurus_ornatus" target="_blank">Ornate Tree Lizard</a>. Apparently it's one of the most widespread and abundant North American lizards but I don't recall photographing any before.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53369908642/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Ornate Tree Lizard"><img alt="Ornate Tree Lizard" height="473" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53369908642_d37d0c8022_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Nearby I spotted this Robber Fly and managed a few shots before it flew away. Robber Flies are ambush predators that catch other insects mid-air.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53370814176/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Robber Fly ?"><img alt="Robber Fly ?" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53370814176_138298cef5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Humorously, I didn't get any photos of Organ Pipe Cactus. But there were also lots of Saguoros</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53371001958/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="Saguaro"><img alt="Saguaro" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53371001958_baa9e56b91_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I'm fascinated by the skeletons of cactus - so different from most plants.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53371265760/in/album-72177720313083977/" title="cactus skeleton"><img alt="cactus skeleton" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53371265760_ae2fa3f2bd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We stayed at the main Twin Peaks campground near the visitor center. One nice feature was that the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-to-victoria-mine.htm" target="_blank">Victoria Mine trail</a> started at the campground so I could easily go for <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10196725861" target="_blank">a run in the morning</a>.</p>
<p>See also <a href="https://spiritandadventure.blogspot.com/2023/11/fall-road-trip-2023-bullhead-city-to.html" target="_blank">Shelley's post</a></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720313083977/" target="_blank">21 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21635939.post-68795835400534700892023-11-26T18:47:00.003-06:002023-12-02T12:36:33.405-06:00Road Trip Day 7, 8 - Death Valley<p>When we arrived in Death Valley I was surprised how hot it was (+30c). I realize this is the hottest place in the US, but it was November. I don't imagine it was as hot in nearby Las Vegas (judging by previous winter climbing trips to Red Rocks.)</p>
<p>From Tonopah we had planned to drive through the park on some new (to us) roads. But most of the roads in the park were closed from flood damage from a storm several months ago. We had the same problem leaving - we planned to drive south and go through Mojave next, but that road was also closed.</p>
<p>We ate our lunch in a pull off beside the road where there were picnic tables in the shade. Surprisingly, there was a stream of water in the ditch - from the resort I assume. But where there's water, there's life and Variegated Meadowhawk dragonflies were staking out their perches and chasing off intruders. (Their habit of returning to the same perch is very helpful for photography,)<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356330439/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Variegated Meadowhawk"><img alt="Variegated Meadowhawk" height="512" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356330439_285404c96b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356330849/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Variegated Meadowhawk"><img alt="Variegated Meadowhawk" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356330849_ec6d4e96f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I was also surprised how many grasshoppers were around. Even on our hike, with no vegetation in sight there would be grasshoppers jumping up from your feet. They were well camouflaged and just about impossible to spot until you disturbed them and they moved. The occasional bush was almost certain to contain multiple grasshoppers on the leaves.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53355126352/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Pallid-winged grasshopper ?"><img alt="Pallid-winged grasshopper ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53355126352_7567f5a913_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>Despite the heat we did a <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/10180350704" target="_blank">nice hike (Golden Canyon Loop)</a>. It helped that we went later in the day (slightly cooler and more shade), although the early winter sunset (4:30) meant we got back just as the sun went down. This loop goes up one drainage then across and back down a different drainage.<br /></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53355126567/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53355126567_c173ea8e2a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356225428/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356225428_237d0a033b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53355127487/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53355127487_3f0e734478_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356333059/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="444" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356333059_e719544139_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There wasn't much flora or fauna. I spotted one lizard but it disappeared before I could photograph it. In addition to the grasshoppers I spotted this Assassin bug in one of the rare bushes.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356226598/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Assassin bug ?"><img alt="Assassin bug ?" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356226598_f2ae70854a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>There was even some fun mild scrambling in the drainage that we descended by.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356457350/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356457350_22d7b17671_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>We camped at <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/tqbSHaLvT5TF6hq26" target="_blank">Texas Springs campground</a> at Furnace Creek. Desert campgrounds can resemble parking lots, but this one at least had a few bushes and trees. And thankfully the dry desert and clear skies cool off quickly at night making camping quite pleasant. <br /></p>
<p>The next morning, on our way out of the park we stopped at <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/7JVQHcCd1X2JPKbt9" target="_blank">Zabriskie Point</a>, one of the most visited (and photographed) viewpoints. I'm sure these photographs have been taken many times before.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53355129017/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53355129017_88881cf807_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>The two tiny hikers in the photo below are on the trail we did the day before (starting from the flats in the background.</p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356334639/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="393" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356334639_c384f129cd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356228543/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356228543_c120bdd238_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/53356229348/in/album-72177720312925717/" title="Death Valley"><img alt="Death Valley" height="427" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53356229348_b0d0f35e2d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>See also <a href="https://spiritandadventure.blogspot.com/2023/11/fall-road-trip-2023-death-valley.html" target="_blank">Shelley's post</a></p>
<p>See all <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/apmckinlay/albums/72177720312925717/" target="_blank">22 photos in this batch</a></p>
Andrew McKinlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951795633428513769noreply@blogger.com0