Yeah, we enjoy birds, but are not dedicated enthusiasts. I can never remember their names, just which ones I think are pretty, have nice songs, or interesting habits. I can appreciate those that are endangered. I love to wake to their songs in the morning and hear our local owl at night.

My nephew wondered what all the excitement was outside MV reserve, so I explained to him how many of the people were there just to see the quetzal and how many people made the trip and went away disappointed. There were at least half a dozen in a range of colors and sizes in the trees right by the parking lot. From then on his joke was how the place was just lousy with quetzals, couldn't walk without stepping on them, etc.

He got a kick out of how excited the birder was on the Cano Negro trip when we were able to get within 3 feet of several birds without them flying off and again I told him how special these experiences were.

I think we'll make a birder out of him yet.