Who took the eggs?

For about a week we had been spectators of a golden hooded tanager's nest. There was a pair of them flitting around the area for a while, and then when the gardener inadvertently whacked off the leafy branches of the tree where they had a nest, we had a particularly good view into these bird's domestic scene, albeit a very exposed condition for mama and eggs. In Spanish, this bird is called the bird of seven colors, and indeed, if you look carefully you can find creamy gold, black, white, and the remaining colors all variations on blue. There were two eggs in the nest and mama was very diligent, even through a few of our recent rainstorms involving thunder and lightening. She maintained her post sitting on her eggs for hours. Then, two days ago, before lunch Rebeca noticed the eggs and then right after lunch they had disappeared. We were so sad. Most likely a larger bird, perhaps a hawk or a jay, came and gobbled them up. Several hours later in the afternoon we saw mama come back to a nearby tree and sing her heart out, then she flew to the nest and looked in intently one last time. Did she feel the same sadness that we felt? At the very least it seemed she was confused and felt that something was really wrong with her world upon viewing her empty nest. Hopefully, she's still have time to find a more hidden place for a nest, lay her eggs, and be able to see her babies fly from the nest.

Water apples

We went to eat dinner with Milena and her family one evening this week. Milena has been doing pedicures for me while in Costa Rica, and over time we've gotten to know each other. One time she brought her mother-in-law along while doing my pedicure, and they invited us to come to their house for dinner. What an honor to be invited to a Tico family's house for dinner and a visit. Her father-in-law gave us a tour of his farm, where he grows heart of palm, yuca, and coffee. He dug some yuca up on the spot and gave it to us, and on the way out the road, we stopped at some friends of the family to watch them gather rosy water apples from a couple trees. We walked away with a big bundle of these unusual fruits as well.

Digging up yuca for us

Catching water apples as they get shaken down from high in a tree

Water apple connoisseur

Milena and family with Eva and Zena

Adventures of Robin Hood to end the day

Turrialba sunset

Asa Turns 9!

Our dear Asa turned 9 yesterday. He says his nine years of life in this world has gone by very slowly but for his dad and me they have flown by. Our big boy has to fold up his knees when he's taking a bath in the tub--such a long and lean fellow.
A profile of our blooming fellow....Loves soccer (and will give you a play by play recount of an entire game if you're interested). Has really gotten into rock climbing lately. Loves birds and taking photos of them. Has a kind heart. Can sing the entire song, "There´s a fire burning in my heart..." Speaks Spanish! Likes climbing anything, like the guayaba tree he climbed the other day to get a guayaba for his sister. Likes to make up goofy rap dances. Is perpetually curious, especially about the natural world.
We took everyone out to a nearby restaurant last night for a special dinner, and Asa wanted to sit on our laps--something we hope he never outgrows.
A surprise as we went down the hill to dinner... there was a serious thunderstorm with lightening, and right in front of us we saw a soaking wet sloth traveling ever so slowly--but very quickly in fact for sloths--across the road in front of us. Very unusual for them to be on the ground at all in fact., which made us think the little guy must have been totally stressed out about the close lightening. We kept the car still, cheering him along, hoping another car wouldn't come along and run him over. I considered running outside and picking him up, but finally, fortunately he made it to the other side and disappeared in the brush. Although not a pleasant experience for the sloth, a rare opportunity for us to see one so close....on Asa's birthday!

At Cachí

Marley-Jester kid totem pole




Toucan--by Asa



Asa, still 8, the night before his 9th birthday

Asa and Mama

Happy Birthday, Dear Asa!



More Birds

About a month ago a couple of tropical parulas have been visiting our window, sitting on the ledge, looking in, as if they would like to come inside. We think they actually may be getting insects out of the cobwebs or carrying strands of web to make their nest. They are small and beautiful with blackish blue backs and masks and then in contrast, bright yellow from their lower beak to their underbelly.

Yesterday, a similarly colored but different species, a euphonia, hit our window, recovered in Rebeca's hand and then flew off. Also, yesterday, a really special encounter with four, count them, collared aracaris in the tree right in front of our balcony. Super close and beautiful.  A first for Rebeca to ever see this bird. We regretted Asa was at school but we did use his camera for some good shots. (Mine was discharged.)

Euphonia recuperating from window crash

Gorgeous blue-grey tanager

Eva's bird painting. Note leaf cutter ants on bottom.



Sweet little tropical parula who visits us at our windows all the time lately.

One of four collared aracaris we spotted the other day at lunch



Mother's Day

Even though it technically was not Mother's Day in Costa Rica, we celebrated it anyway. We spent the day rock climbing, swimming, and having fun at Cachí with some friends. I gave the rock climbing a try and actually got up a ways, but Asa had me beat hands down. The rock wall was like a vertical, solid version of turbid seas in a winter storm. It was hard work but a lot of fun and I can see why it gets into the blood in an addictive way. Then, back home in the evening for a homemade card from Eva with rainbows and mama rock climbing and a quetzal picture from Asa. My life is truly rich as a mama. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Early morning with two chickadees

That's me up there!

Eva and Romane-- nymphs in the rainforest

Spiderman Asa

Fun in water--there were even fish in there!

Birthday Bash

Yesterday, we had a huge birthday party for Asa, turning 9! We combined his party with a party for Ruben and Declan, two litle friends from the Waldorf school here. It took place at the misty, beautiful farm of Patricia, Declan's mom. There was much festejando, including lots of eating good food, a water slide, clown, face painting, trampouline, and a giant Mexican piñata--which was particularly beautiful with its colorful streamers blowing in the mist. We celebrated with lots of food and three cakes. It was really special to have so many of the friends we have made here all together one last time before we leave.


Asa celebrating!

Asa´s buddy, Cai

Rebeca and sisters´ families

Keilor

Whee--down the homemade slip and slide

Parents watching

Piñata time!

Zena with bag ready for piñata goodies

Piñata aftermath in the grass

 Olivier and Sabine and kids

Fabrice, Rachelle, granny and kids

The rare Eva butterfly



Asa celebrating!



The presents

Monteverde

We went to Monteverde last weekend. What a fascinating community with its history of Quaker war resistors and its fierce protection of the cloud forest. Perhaps the most interesting park was the Children's Eternal Forest, a huge reserve of land that was initially purchased in the 1980´s through a grassroots effort involving children bringing pocket change to school and contributing it toward purchasing a part of the rainforest. The children of Sweden alone raised $1 million to purchase land and their government was so proud of their effort that it kicked in another $1,000,000.
We saw a nesting pair of emerald toucanettes, a young male quetzal, lots of orchids in an orchid garden, and the kids and Dad went to a bat exhibit where they learned a bunch about these really amazing and important animals. Of course we went into the Monteverde reserve and relished the views of the different layers of the forest. We also ate some really good food at local restaurants.

Zena walking on road to our cabin

Butterfly or moth that Eva spotted

In the orchid garden



The whole fam in the cloud forest



Known as the squeaky gate bird--an ethereal sound

Un sapo Eva

A "Glass Butterfly"--1st time we saw this transparent winged butterfly. Photo by Asa.

Agouti on the run. Photo by Asa.

Toucanette we saw at breakfast

Long bus ride, including a break-down back to Turrialba