A Mixed Bag

Costa Rica's dry season is reaching its peak in the months of March and April - the hottest temperatures of the year, rivers have all dried up leaving nothing but a few few muddy pools. But perhaps surprisingly, there is still plenty of wildlife to be found and many of the trees that have resisted desiccation are producing fruit and growing new leaves. Because of the abundance of fruit, this is also a good time of year for the Scarlet Macaws to start learning how to survive outside of the aviary and so we have begun releasing Group 2. 4 of the 6 are now flying free in Islita and the other 2 do not have long to wait!

June - the first macaw of Group 2 to be released in Islita. He was selected for this honour due to his curious and cheeky but affable nature. Since being released June has learnt that there are many rocks and pebbles to be found in the real world and has made it his mission to try and chew them all.

John the Coati - a familiar sight by now wandering around our compost heaps and eating leftovers from the aviary.

A Gray Fox. This photo was taken fro inside Casa Lapas. Luckily these canines are largely frugivorous and do not pose a threat to the birds.

This is a baby Black Iguana (Ctenosaur). Very different in appearance from the adults who are large, grey and crusty.

Ginger. The Variegated Squirrel. A pair of baby squirrels were given to us by a local vet in order to release back into the wild. So far, rather than adapting to Islita, they spend their time running round the house, stealing food and terrorizing biologists and volunteers alike.

Collared Acari. These striking toucanettes are regular visitors to the release site and seem to get on fine with the Scarlets.

Mantled Howler Monkey. Islita's natural alarm clock - think you might get a lie-in on Sundays? Forget it.

Baby Howler Monkey. This very young monkey was too young to be eating leaves yet but tried to copy the adults all the same.

An Olive Ridley Turtle returning to the sea after laying eggs.

Some sort of gecko/lizard jobby. Pretty though eh?

Nurse shark caught whilst night fishing from the rocks. We returned it  to the sea but took this photo before it disappeared!

People! (Not many of those in this blog). San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua is a popular spot for surfers, beach bums and biologists who have to cross the border to renew their visa every 3 months.