S is for Size: huge ground birds to tiny specks high in the canopy

It's all about size! A Painted Gumtree in the background.

Forest birding is so challenging.

The dense undergrowth is perfect for Antbirds and Antpitta's to skulk but it makes for difficult sightings, I try fit together an image of the bird between, around and over all the vegetation! We then scan the lofty canopy which is alive with calls and the tiniest of birds. Our necks creak and the photographers complain.

The photo shows a large Crested Guan which is about 90cm compared to the Yellow-throated Euphonia on the bottom left and the Common Tody-Flycatcher on the bottom right which are no more than 10 cm from bill to tail.

And then of course, I have to then recall the bird and it's name....

H is for Hummingbirds: Green Violetear

Green Violetear.

I looked forward to seeing the hummingbirds here in Costa Rica and have not been disappointed.
In two days we have spotted 15 different 'hummers'. Johan Fernandez, our guide for the trip, took us to a garden with feeders yesterday en route to Arenal Volcano and the viewing was such a treat.

This photo of a Green Violetear shows off the delicate beauty of this tiny little bird and the sun illuminating the splash of violet.

T is for Tanagers: a female Passerini catches Fred's eye

Female Passerini Tanager

Among all the flash and high drama of the birds of Costa Rica, the camera caught the finer detail of the subdued colours of a female Passerini Tanager. The male is a showy black and red with a texture of velvet and she is so lovely in an understated way.

O is for an Oropendola: enjoying pawpaw.

Montezumo Oropendola, Arenal Observatory Lodge

The Montezumo Oropendolas are large social birds here in Costa Rica, they are highly vocal and keep us company as we stalk down the more secretive and skulking birds of the forest around the Arenal Volcano.

The call, the fabulous flash of the yellow on the tail and the facial detail make for a very interesting bird.

It also nests colonially in large trees. These nests are an achievement in weaving, looking like large, hanging baskets.

Montezumo Oropendola nest!

A is for Arenal Volcano: it puffs

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

We are birding in the shadow of Volcan Arenal. It looms over us at 1663m with its iconic conical shape and steep scree slopes.

It is what is known as a stratovolcano, which means a tall and symmetrical volcano built upon successive layers of rock, ash and lava.

It is partially active and when the clouds move off we could clearly see its emissions - a column of water vapour and gases.

Meanwhile, here at the Arenal Observatory Lodge we have been entertained by the antics of the White-nosed Coatis, relative of racoons, another tick on our mammal list.

M is for a Margay: meeting a new mammal

A nocturnal small native cat here in tropical Central America. This particular little beauty pops past the Arenal Observatory Lodge now and again for a meal of chicken breasts. It used to be the pet of the previous lodge owner and was released back into the wild. A little beauty.