Jenny Varley

  • Home
  • Browse
  • Search

Costa Rica

We spent sixteen nights in Costa Rica, travelling to several very different environments and ecosystems. It is a tiny country sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama, and with coasts on both the Pacific and Caribbean. Elevations range from sea level to over 3800 metres, and around 25% of the land is classed as within protected areas, and as a result there is a huge variety of flora and fauna. We enjoyed seeing a large diversity of species, from leaf-cutter ants and spiders through frogs, lizards, crocodiles, snakes, many spectacular birds large and small including the magnificent Respendent Quetzal (including six males and one female near an avocado tree one morning!), coatimundis, tamanduas, sloths and primates.

Thanks to Wildlife Worldwide for organising the trip, and to Nick Garbutt who, as always, was a hugely knowledgeable, enthusiastic and helpful leader.

The images are best viewed as a full-screen slide show - just click on the little triangular icon to the right.
Read More
Males grow four extended uppertail coverts during the mating season - not true tails
58 / 90

Males grow four extended uppertail coverts during the mating season - not true tails

Costa RicaQuetzalResplendent QuetzalPharomachrus mocinnoTrogon lodgesavegre valley

  • This Emerald Basilisk had a tick under its chin
  • A young Green Iguana
  • An American Crocodile basking in Boca Tapada
  • Roosting Brazilian Long-nosed Bats - they spend their days on the undersides of leaning tree trunks overlooking rivers
  • A female Orb-weaver Spider with the tiny male in the web above her
  • The web of Golden Orb-weavers has six times the strength of tensile steel!
  • Mantled Howler Monkeys are named after the fringe of long brown hair on their sides and lower backs
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • A holy grail for birders, the appropriately named Resplendent Quetzal
  • Resplendent Quetzals love wild avocados which are about the size of acorns
  • Males grow four extended uppertail coverts during the mating season - not true tails
  • Females are not as brightly coloured as the males and lack the extended tail coverts
  • They are truly stunning birds
  • No Comments
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.