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Osa Peninsula

Osa Peninsula Bird watching and snorkeling on the Osa Peninsula - (43) more edit 2008-01-01 - rec# 42

I had been diving on the Osa Peninsula two years ago, but Deb had never been there. It's a unique part of Costa Rica and as Deb's "last fling" she wanted to go there bird watching. Our adventure began at 3am on Monday, when we got up to catch a cab at 4am to catch a bus at 5am to go over the pass and down to the peninsula. The route takes us past San Guarda de Dota and even further up the mountain. About the only part of Costa Rica where I want to wear the flannel shirt that I wore down here from Seattle in January. Locals were all donning coats, hats and gloves. Then you drop down to one of the warmest parts of the country. The bus took us to Palmar Norte, where we caught a boat that took us on the 1 1/2 hour trip by river, mangroves and ocean to the Punta Marenco Lodge. A charming and rustic lodge out in the jungle that even has power for a few hours each day. We were shown our cabin and got settled in. The lodge has a large reserve next to is and we walked along the beach and went bird watching. Or perhaps "looking", it was not a good time to be watching as it was too hot. That evening the birds came out and we got our best seat just sitting in the dinning area and looking out into the reserver. Macaws, wood peckers, toucans, red rumped black birds, bats, and MY favorite...all the bird calls. Such wonderful music! The next day we went out to Isla de Caño to explore the island and snorkel. On the way out we came across a pod of whales and spent some time watching them. We were thinking they were pilot whales, but there was some question about that. I LOVE to get into the water! It was like swimming in a fish tank. Deb joined in, but I think she'll always feel more comfortable ON the boat than over the side. We got on the beach afterward and had lunch. One thing about Costa Rica is the hermit crabs. All over the place in such a variety of shells. I think the Osa Peninsula is probably the location where you'll find the most. One more snorkel and back to the lodge. The next day we went into the Corcovado National Park, known for it's tapirs. We spent about 5 hours in the park and, while we didn't see any tapirs we were confronted by a large band of paccuaries. We were duly confronted and challenged by the guard pigs and as we showed no threat the pack was ushered on to the other side of the road. I was able to get a reasonable video of them running past us. Many new birds for Deb to add to her life list. Sadly most of my photos of birds didn't come out. Shooting up into the bright sky, into the dark trees at small targets some ways away just doesn't work out as well as some other situations. That evening we took up our regular post at the dining room to watch the sunset and listen to the birds. Dinner was late, but with no refrigeration and power only from the generator I guess we eat when the supplies come in. Which is when it is. So...back to the big city to see what adventure is awaiting us there.