NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, HOTEL RIU GUANACASTE BEACH, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

   Even though we can't see the entire bird, we can ID it as an adult Neotropic Cormorant by its black neck, bill with hooked tip and orange chin-patch.

   The Neotropic Cormorant is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 286.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD, HOTEL RIU GUANACASTE, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

   We can ID this flycatcher as a Tropical Kingbird by its long bill, dark mask, bright yellow underneath that reaches to the breast and greenish back (if you look very closely).

MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRDS IN FLIGHT, HOTEL RIU GUANACASTE AREA, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

   Almost everyday at around 4 to 6 pm we sighted about 1/2 dozen Magnificent Frigatebirds circling high above the area of the Hotel Riu Guanacaste.  They were probably looking to steal food from other birds in the area.

SUN DIPPING BEHIND A MOUNTAIN, HOTEL RIU GUANACASTE AREA, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

      We sat on the beach and watched the sun dip behind a montain and sailboats in the distance.  It was a beautiful sight.

BREEDING SPOTTED SANDPIPER, HOTEL RIU GUANACASTE BEACH, GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA

   For a week Sharon and I vacationed at the Hotel Riu Guanacaste in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.  We had a great time.  We birded in the hotel area and took birding trips with local guides.  Costa Rica has many beautiful birds that we saw and we added to our Life List.

   The breeding Spotted Sandpiper in the photo is about the only shorebird we sighted and one of the first photos we took.  It is in breeding plumage: bold spots on the neck, breast and underneath and an orange bill.

FEMALE LONG-TAILED DUCK, COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK, TORONTO, ON

COMMON GRACKLE, COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK, TORONTO, ON