Costa Rica - Manuel Antonio Day 6

Morning walk in Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the Pacific Coast (7 kms southeast of Quepos in the Province of Puntarenas). The Park encompasses 1,685 acres and is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. South Espadilla and Manuel Antonio beaches are particularly lovely. The principal natural communities are the primary, secondary and mangrove forests, and lagoon and beach vegetation. The park includes 12 small islands just off the coast, which are excellent bird refuges. The fauna remains varied with 109 species of mammals including White-faced Capuchin, Howler and Squirrel Monkeys, pacas, Grey Squirrels, raccoons, White-nosed Coaties, and Two- and Three-toed Sloths and 184 species of birds including the Fiery-billed Araçari, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Baird's Trogon, Orange-collared Manakin, Blue-throated Goldentail, Blue-black Grosbeak, Brown Pelican, Laughing Falcon, Black-collared Hawk, White Ibis, White-bellied Chachalaca, BlueGreen Kingfisher and Jacana. The predominant tree species are the Cotonron, Bully Tree, Nargusta, Black Locust, Cow Tree, Santa Maria, and Silk Cotton, with specimens as tall 30-40 meters.

This deer lives in the park. she is very used to people and will just walk right up to you. She also goes for strolls on the beach from time to time.

I did question why Chip was taking pictures of a deer. We have mass quantities of deer at home. Then I remembered, it's digital who cares how many pictures he takes. And it's an extra special beach deer. We don't have beach deer in Ohio.  

Here's a toucan.

Here lizard lizard lizard.

There is a lizard which the locals call Jesus Christ Lizard. He walks on water. They are too quick to snap pictures. Instead you get this guy. There's nothing terribly special about him. Just a lizard.

Here is a sloth. Our guides were delighted to see a sloth moving. They rarely move.

They only come down from the tree to go to the bathroom.

He's cute.

This snake... is poisonous. I forgot the name of it, because I was pre-occupied. see picture below.

People are not too smart. When your guide is telling you how poisonous a species is... Don't put your camera with flash right on top of it? ARE YOU NUTS! Don't worry chip was not one of these tourists.

Here's what I was doing. The daily self portrait, how is the curly humidity hair doing.

The lady next to me.. not sure what she is doing. shhh snake?

And now the best part. Monkeys on beach!

see monkey. see humans. look familiar?

Better keep an eye on these guys or they will steal your sandwich.

He liked to pose for the camera

Later in the day we headed down to the hotel's beach

Love the new underwater camera. If you don't own one. You should buy one. They are inexpensive and fun!

You can take all the floating head pictures you want

That's Chip's hand. It looks like a foot for some reason.

Not in real life, just in this picture. That would be weird in real life.

Why am I a floating head? I guess I forgot how to eggbeater.

Check out Los Pollos De La Playa

And this Duck.. who mated with a cow, then a chicken? That's one crazy duck.

Later that night we left the resort and hit the main town. It was only about 2 blocks long. Again, no pictures. red-head, blonde, Ohio-white skin.. trying not to look like tourists.

We stopped for dinner at the best little Italian restaurant. Then we went to an ex-Pat's bar, full of salty fisherman. The ex-pats were friends with some females of the night who were working outside.  I love people. Interesting specimens.