A trip to the cloud forest

On a recent October birding trip, I woke to find large numbers of familiar birds. Red-eyed Vireos and Swainson's Thrushes actively fed in fruiting trees all around, while Wilson's Warblers gave squeaky calls from the surrounding brush. Normally, I'd be thrilled by the spectacle of dozens of each of these birds in and around a sigle yard, but this morning I was in Costa Rica and yearned to see something fully "tropical" bird species.

Social Flycatcher, Santa Elana, Costa Rica

I'd get my wish soon enough when I spotted a Yellow-green Vireo mixing with the Red-eyeds in the lodge gardens. The appearance of a boisterous group of Social Flycatchers reminded me that I was indeed once again in the tropics. Then there were more: Keel-billed Toucans, Masked Tityra, Long-tailed Manakin... yep I was in the tropics despite views of Townsend's, Black-throated Green, and Kentucky Warblers (plus other neotropical migrants) which had reached the wintering grounds safely.

Blue & White Swallow, digiscoped in Santa Elana, Costa Rica

After some tasty local coffee, it was time to hit the road. Brown-hooded Parrots squealed from a roadside tree top while Blue & white Swallows watched their noisy antics from a nearby eve.

Brown-hooded Parrot, digiscoped with Leica APO Televid and C-Lux 2 camera

My destination this morning though was the wonderful Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Cloud forests are aptly named due to the fact that these high elevation forests are often draped in misty clouds. Monteverde sits near 4600 feet in elevation.

Sun streams through the canopy and light mist

The weather was kind this AM though and the forest air was uncharacteristically dry and clear. Our guide pointed out specialty birds as we hiked the trails: Silver-throated and Spangle-cheeked Tanagers, Gray-throated Leaf-Tosser, Red-faced Spinetail, and Golden-crowned Warblers showed themselves as we passed.

Silver-throated Tanager, male

We had a specific bird in mind though as we moved through the forest looking and listening.

Monteverde area guides train their scopes on a "canopy gem"

After a short while our guide stopped and trained his attention toward the sounds coming from the Avocado tree just off the trail. "Here's one", he said as he deftly trained his scope on our quarry.

Resplendant Quetzal, male, Monteverde 10/5/07

Moments later I was staring once again in the amazing Resplendant Quetzal... seven visits to Monteverde Reserve and I've seen this bird each time! My streak was still alive.