Manuel Antonio N.P. and Curu
This morning we arrived at Manuel Antonio National Park, a jewel among Costa Rica’s protected areas. Considering that it is the smallest park in the system, it has a remarkably long list of species inhabiting it, including 353 bird species. We spotted, as an example, fiery-billed aracaries, rufous-naped wrens and black-hooded antshrikes. There are also 99 species of mammals reported in the national park including squirrel, howler and white-throated capuchin monkeys, and we saw all three species.
The group divided among the naturalists to explore the rainforest, discovering all the wonders of this protected environment. We were also amazed to discover a black vulture feeding on the carcass of a white-throated capuchin, while a turkey vulture waited for his turn in the circle of life.
In the afternoon we sailed to a totally different environment: the tropical dry rainforests at Curu. As we neared our landing, the Captain called everybody’s attention when he spotted what turned out to be a breaching humpback calf. We cruised slowly toward the mother and her calf, down from Alaska for the winter months.
The rest of our last afternoon was spent ashore searching for wildlife. We spotted a black howler monkey as well as birds, such as the white-throated magpie jays, Hoffman’s woodpeckers, buff-throated woodcreepers, and the migratory yellow warbler and Baltimore.
Back aboard we enjoyed a special recap and the Captain’s farewell dinner. This was just another beautiful day in paradise.
This morning we arrived at Manuel Antonio National Park, a jewel among Costa Rica’s protected areas. Considering that it is the smallest park in the system, it has a remarkably long list of species inhabiting it, including 353 bird species. We spotted, as an example, fiery-billed aracaries, rufous-naped wrens and black-hooded antshrikes. There are also 99 species of mammals reported in the national park including squirrel, howler and white-throated capuchin monkeys, and we saw all three species.
The group divided among the naturalists to explore the rainforest, discovering all the wonders of this protected environment. We were also amazed to discover a black vulture feeding on the carcass of a white-throated capuchin, while a turkey vulture waited for his turn in the circle of life.
In the afternoon we sailed to a totally different environment: the tropical dry rainforests at Curu. As we neared our landing, the Captain called everybody’s attention when he spotted what turned out to be a breaching humpback calf. We cruised slowly toward the mother and her calf, down from Alaska for the winter months.
The rest of our last afternoon was spent ashore searching for wildlife. We spotted a black howler monkey as well as birds, such as the white-throated magpie jays, Hoffman’s woodpeckers, buff-throated woodcreepers, and the migratory yellow warbler and Baltimore.
Back aboard we enjoyed a special recap and the Captain’s farewell dinner. This was just another beautiful day in paradise.
