A New Life In Costa Rica

Sunday Blessing

I was walking around the house early this morning like I do most mornings, enjoying the scenery, thanking God for my life  and all it's blessings when I rounded the corner and saw an Emerald Toucanette in our star fruit tree. I quickly backtracked around the house and went to grab my camera. I got one shot off from inside the house before attempting to venture back outside afraid I might scare him away. He went right on eating as if I wasn't there. I stood only about 10 to 15 feet way with my tripod.

Hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed watching him.

 

 

Owl Butterfly

 
This big butterfly hung out around the house for a couple of days. Usually the big butterflies just kinda pass through our yard not staying long. I'm calling it an owl butterfly but don't quote me on it.

 

Since I'm no longer permitted to catch them (one too many fatalities), my daughter came out to help.

 

Callista used to be able to catch them between two fingers and let them eat rotten bananas out of her hand. She's no longer the little girl who made mud pies. Rotten bananas in the hand are "gross" now. I'm still surprised she didn't want to touch this guy.

We studied him for a few minutes while Callista explained the design on his wings. If you look for a moment and think about it you can see what resembles the head of a snake.

We do practice capture and release. After a couple of minutes we let him go.  

Plants, plants and more plants

I recently went into La Garita to visit the nurseries with friends. Over the past four years I've accumulated many of the plants I see when I visit. It was a both a surprise and thrill learning I have more herbs and medicinal plants than the viveros do. Thank-you to my local friends and neighbors who continually gift me with cuttings and teach me about the plants in our area.

 

With most of these plants all you need is a friend with a plant. You can take a small cutting and stick it right in a pot or in the ground and it'll grow.

 

I prefer to buy orchids at the known nurseries or at exhibitions rather than from street vendors as you know where they come from. Taking orchids from the wild is prohibited but many make a profit selling to unaware Expats. Another reason to purchase at the nurseries is that you'll get a better price. These large orchids were about $12.

I'm deciding if I want to get into bonsai plants. I thought I'd get one as a Christmas present for Bill but he said he wasn't interested. He wasn't interested in orchids before either. Now I catch him admiring ours when no one is looking. If I do get one I bet he takes it over. The thing about a bonsai is that it needs daily care. If I can find another double leaf, white flowering one I'm getting it.

 
 
 
 

Pin headed reindeer

 

This reindeer just isn't right! Look at his tiny head compared to his body. I bought him anyway. My pair, mom & baby needed a man. What can I say. Skippy the pinheaded male is now part of our trio.

I questioned the maker on his tiny head (I mean the reindeers) and he assured me they all were the same. Hmmmm............

A quick glance down the road confirmed it. All the reindeer they are making this year are pin heads. 

 

Soaking up the sun

I love iguanas. I don't want one but I love seeing them in the central park in Palmares. It's too cool in San Ramon for them. I hadn't been to the park in a long time so it was a real treat to sit and have a cup of coffee while watching iguanas and searching for sloth the other day. No sloth sightings this trip.