A full day of wildlife

January 21 

Today was a full day of wildlife viewing. After breakfast (and a little birding) we went on a private 3-hour boat ride on the Bebedero River, which flows into the Palo Norte National Park. We saw some massive crocodiles, and many water and forest birds. Our boat pilot had an amazing eye for finding hidden creatures, including several basilisk lizards. And there were iguanas everywhere.

After lunch at the wharf, we started driving east (inland), past rice, sugar cane and tilapia farms. As we gained elevation the landscape became greener and more lush. We stopped along the side of the road to admire two sloths in nearby trees. 

We spent several hours at a private reserve. We admired birds that came to feed on bananas near the deck, and then walked trails in search of additional birds. The highlight was watching a young sloth navigate through small trees and shrubs, never more than 8 feet off the ground and often only a few feet from us. 

Tonight (and for the following two nights) we are staying in a very nice resort nestled into a mountain valley. Driving here felt a little like looking for Rivendell.

Pictured: young sloth, Black-throated Trogon, juvenile Bare-facedTiger Heron, American Crocodile