parrmt

Might have been a Carolina wren, they do have a wonderful song. Our Pileated is quite brave today already, facing off the squirrels that hog the feeder! She always wins.
I got the Nikon Monarch ATB 8 X 42. They should arrive Friday, along w/our CR map. Three weeks from manana!
Our other binocs are Pentax 8X24, they have been through the worst and still work fine....for hubby that is! hahaha

Maybe I will have to upgrade in a couple of years!

katrinab

We did a similar trip--Monteverde and Arenal--last summer. Definitely good to bring lightweight clothes for during the day and at least a good fleece for the evenings. And of course, rain gear! You never know when its going to start downpouring.

Also, make sure to stop at Sabores ice cream shop in Monteverde. There is a huge dairy industry there, and I seriously had the best coffee milkshake of my life.

More info and pics in our Costa Rica post at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/

artiejay

We did not use a guide this year,but did on our last visit so we knew some of the Quetzal "haunts".The best areas to see them at the Bosque Nuboso are as others have stated,right at the entrance of the park in front of the ticket office and on the short trail to the hummingbird gallery.I spent several early mornings(5:30-7:00 am) on Quetzal watch in the parking lot before the park opened and saw them regularly.Not sure if bugs are any interest to you but while waiting for the Quetzals check @ the lights at the buildings at the entrance for some really cool moths and other assorted critters.If you are really into birds definetly walk the grounds of the Fonda Vela.There are lots of short trails with fruit trees of different types that attract alot of birds.The area is not as thick as the cloud forest so you have a better chance of getting pictures here. Have fun on your trip!

colibri

Artiejay,

Did you get most of your hummingbird photos at the Hummingbird Gallery or where? You have some excellent shots! So many of mine from the Gallery all have the building or walls in them, while you caught many on the trees, much nicer.

artiejay

Colibri,
Thanks for the kind review! Yes, all the hummer pics. came from the HB gallery. I tried to avoid the feeder pics.and waited for them to land at several well used perches.As you know you have about 1/2 second to get the shot so there are alot of near misses and "almost" shots. Believe me, I have a vast collection of pictures entitled "Branch where hummingbird once was" or "Blurry hummingbird in flight" Thank goodness for digital cameras and 8GB memory cards!

volcanogirl

Have you guys gone to the Peace Lodge yet? I love their hummingbird garden. You can even hand feed the hummers.

Costa_Rica

Must dos:

Arenal: Canyoneering - Lost Canyon Adventures (Desfio)
Monteverde: Canopy tour - zip lines.
If you need transport between MV & La Fortuna and like horses, the van, boat, horse, van approach is excellent. I've heard there have been issues with some outfits, but we hooked up with Desfio and their horses and guides were excellent.

I wasn't thinking when we headed to the cloud forest and wore only short sleeve shirt - a fleece would have been perfect.

We stayed in Fonda Vela and were not thrilled. It was ok but the staff were not as warm/friendly as the other places we stayed while in the country. Out of 5 places, it was our least favorite.

parrmt

I can't thank all of you enough for all of the great info! Artiejay....I will be camping in the lot for sure! The quetzal and insect pictures are fantastic, but I must admit rtj, that the tree photo #143,.. when I saw that one I said....oohhh . What a beauty of a picture! But they are all so good.

katrinab, thanks for the info as well, great blog by the way with pics. Will def. get the ice cream, lots of rave reviews.