Froggy Went a-Walking

Our guide took us on an informal tour of the gardens at our hotel in Tortuguero.  One of the gardens was dedicated to the support of tree frogs.  We had a good look round but couldn’t find any.  The guide dashed off somewhere and came back with his hands cupped, holding this little chap (he told us that he recalled seeing one earlier, but I suspect he took it out of a breeding tank).  He placed the frog on large leaf so we could photograph it with a natural background.  Red-eyed Tree Frog – Agalychnis callidryas.

—Stephen—

To Tortuguero

Our guide, who introduced himself during the mid-morning breakfast session, called on us to load our luggage on to the appropriate shuttle-bus for the onward journey to Tortuguero – he was a little bemused by the fact our family had none.  We were soon on our way for the next leg.  It was a bit like “Wagons Roll!” as all the buses set off in convoy down the road. Our guide explained that some of the roads were so rough it was worthwhile that they all stick together, in case one broke down.   Sections of the road were a bit dodgy to say the least.  (Our return ride, after our stay at Tortuguero, was delayed by an hour because of a landslide.)

After what seemed like an age, we arrived at a sort of inland river port – where we were put aboard a covered flat bottom boat equipped with a meaty looking outboard engine.  We were asked to don life-vests before setting off down the river at a fair rate of knots towards our ‘hotel’.

Many of this type of boat filled with orange clad tourists zipped up and down the river at ‘changeover’ time.

Lop eared cattle seemed to be the main breed in this part of Costa Rica – I guess these arrived by boat too.

A little bit of excitement when a young fawn was seen swimming across the wide river in front of us – everyone was relieved when we watched it struggle ashore – crocs and caiman are present in the rivers hereabouts.

.. and a kingfisher staring into space…. a bit weird, but who’s to know the mind of kingfisher!

—Stephen—

 

 

 

Latest Generation Adversary

I can almost see the cunning in its eyes!  Just waiting for me to move out of view before it has another crack at the bird feeders.  I will prevail…. hopefully!

—Stephen—-

How now, brown cow?

—Stephen—

Lazin’ on a Sunny Afternoon

What else to do?

—Stephen—

By Tommy Craggs

Another piece of wood sculpture, not far from the example in my previous post (which is called “King Hollow”).  Apparently, the trees had to be felled so the landowner commissioned Tommy Craggs to do his thing on the remains.   (This piece is called “Kingfisher”). Both are within a stone’s throw of the River Nidd on the edge of the town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.   Some can create,while the rest of us can only try to record.

—Stephen—

Grey Squirrel 2015

Seems a bit late in the day to wish everyone a Happy New Year, but I do so, nonetheless.  I’ve not done quite so much photography over the last few weeks, so I was pleased to be able to get this little pest this afternoon.  Only a youngster, he/she was investigating the various wind blown fruits, nuts and seeds from nearby trees.

Happy New Year!

—Stephen—

Miaou

I doubt you’ll get me posting many pictures of cats but that doesn’t mean I won’t.

—Stephen—

Dog Island

The dog had nothing better to do than swim out to the small island in the middle of the river and proceed to chew its stick to pieces – safe in the knowledge, perhaps that it’s owner couldn’t do very much about it!

—Stephen—-

Crab

An unusual addition to a memorial – I can’t recall another, but something is stirring in the ol’ grey matter.

—Stephen—
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