Wednesday, April 22nd
A highlight for everyone today was seeing a pair of Resplendent Quetzals. During our walk through the Monteverde Cloudforest, we heard a male bird calling. However, we did not see this elusive bird. After the walk, we all got onto the bus, and as we were ready to go, another guide came jogging up the road telling our guide that they had spotted the bird. We all walked silently down the road a bit to where there were a few people gathered around a spotting scope. The guide carefully directed our attention to where the bird was and soon many of our group could spot it with their naked eye or with their binoculars. Three feet away from the male bird was the female. The male Resplendent Quetzal is a stunning bird. The male is about 14” tall with long, green tail-like, feather streamers extending another 25”! It is mostly glittering green with a crimson colored belly. It has a distinctive crest with a small, yellow bill.
The guide then kindly offered us the chance to see this remarkable bird through his scope. One at a time, everyone in our group got a phenomenal look at the Costa Rican national bird. The guide then took several of the students’ cameras and took “digiscope” photos of the bird through the spotting scope.
Many bird watchers travel thousands of miles and spend mucho dinero in an attempt to see this fantastic bird. Many are unsuccessful. We got lucky and, due to the generous spirit of that local guide, we all saw a very special “life” bird! Pura vida!
This blog has been such a wonderful tool to help us experience your trip. Thank you for sharing all that you have.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the students will continue to reflect on their time in Costa Rica and share more with us over the coming weeks. The kids are obviously learning so much about themselves and the generous spirit of others, not to mention all the educational stuff! I"m impressed with all that they have done.
Thank you Nora, Sean, Laura and Dave for taking such good care of our kids. I'm looking forward to your safe return.
I just have to say that the other day we were walking through the town forest and thinking about you all and decided to pray that you all would see things in nature that usually people do not get to see - that there would be some kind of sighting that would be really special and rare - so reading about this Quetzal made us so happy and was also a clear answer to prayer for us! Pura Vida! Mrs. Ogburn
ReplyDeleteSimple acts of kindness... how lovely that the 2nd guide wanted to share such an amazing and special experience with you all! This is a great life lesson that I hope the kids take to heart. It only takes a moment to say a kind word or do something thoughtful and it might create a memory or experience that will last a lifetime. Costa Rica sounds like it is filled with lovely, kind people.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels!
Susan