BLACK-MANDIBLED TOUCAN, ARENAL PARAISO RESORT & SPA, LA FORTUNA, SAN CARLOS, COSTA RICA

      This toucan can be differentiated from other toucans by its yellow and dark brown bill.  The Black-mandibled Toucan is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 160.

TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD, ARENAL VOLCANO AREA, COSTA RICA

BLACK VULTURE ATOP TREE, LA FORTUNA, COSTA RICA

WHITE-WINGED DOVE, ZARCERO, COSTA RICA

      This dove can be identified as follows:

• Dark malar spot
• White wing stripe, even on folded wings
• Plain brownish above
• Blue stripe through eyes

   This is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 159.  Photo was taken on 9/25/15.

TRIP TO COSTA RICA: RUFUS-COLLARED SPARROW, PARQUE FRANCISCO ALVARADO, ZARCERO, COSTA RICA

     Thanks to our tour guide and avid birder, Eric, for identifying this bird and the others on the Avenal Volcano leg of our trip to Costa Rica.  This is a distinctive bird with a black-and-gray head.  

   The Rufus-Collared Sparrow is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 158.

TRIP TO COSTA RICA: SHARON & GEORGE AT THE TOPIARY GARDENS, ZARCERO, COSTA RICA

TRIP TO COSTA RICA: TOPIARY GARDENS & CHURCH, ZARCERO, COSTA RICA

   This beautiful topiary garden is in Parque Francisco Alvarado in front of a magnificent church: Inglesia de San Rafael in Zarcero, Costa Rica.  The church was built in 1895.  The bushes in the garden are in the shape of various figures.