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These Ruddy Ground Doves were found in the saltwater lagoon near San Jose Del Cabo. The country of Mexico as a whole, is host to 27 different species of doves, with the California Baja Sure home to six. The Baja, as it is known, is a truly diverse area. There is of course the dry, cactus strewn desert areas, but with mountains up to 7000 feet, the habitat for our local birds is quite varied. We have expanse saltwater lagoons, Rocky ocean shores, and fresh water streams and lakes. MORE
The poll, which was conducted by the San Jose, Calif. The Hill: A majority of voters would support a 10-cent increase in the federal gas tax if the money is used for specific transportation improvements, according to a new poll released on Wednesday. Mineta Transportation Institute, found that 71 percent of voters would be willing to pay a dime more than the current 18.4 MORE
At some stage, almost standing still in a traffic jam on the highway towards San Jose, I was calling a fellow 10K beat writer Pat O’Donnell, enquiring about the chances to meet in my hotel. Don’t you hate it when you cannot communicate while birding overseas? Having mobility issues, I still remember birding from a van along a rather productive dirt road in Costa Rica ( Broad-billed Motmot , Lineated Woodpecker , Cocoa Woodcreeper , etc.), while the rest of the group took a hike. MORE
Zamora Estate protects acres of unspoiled habitat within one of the fastest growing sections of San Jose, a holding that has sustained four generations of the Zamora family. The estate would be attractive based on location alone, since no other lodging worthy of the appellation “eco-luxe” lies less than 20 minutes from the San Jose airport. MORE
That’s where most of Costa Rica’s population resides and because of that, it’s also why we headed out around dawn, happily leaving the long line of vehicles on their way to San Jose in the rear view mirror. One of our first was at the remnant marshes of El Silencio, a small site just off the San Ramon-la Fortuna road that is always worth checking. I have a confession to make. Last weekend, I went on a birding binge. MORE
All Central America Costa Rica Eco-adventure Eco-lodges Farmers'' markets Osa Peninsula Restaurants/Cafes San Jose Coopedota Feria Verde Finca Bellavista James Kaiser Playa Nicuesa Lodge Product C Reuters Santa Maria de Dota | The Americas’ Greenest | Costa Rica and eco-travel have long been synonymous. And for good reason. MORE
Famous vegan mama indulges her sweet tooth with "crazy" vegan treats from Psycho Donuts in San Jose, California. Read More The post Mayim Bialik Celebrates Emmy Nomination with Vegan Donuts appeared first on Ecorazzi. Eats Entertainment Film/TV News Science Vegan Mayim Bialik MORE
This is how we saw 300 plus species in three days on day trips out of the San Jose area and it’s only one of several options: High and middle elevations. Those happened in the form of a visit to Cope’s where we were treated to a nice selection of lowland species at close focus length in Jose’s birding oasis followed by soul satisfying views of roosting Spectacled and Crested Owls. Birds can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways. MORE
Central America Costa Rica Experiences/Events News Nosara Osa Peninsula San Jose The Americas Tours Alta Hotel Cayuga Collection Coati Green Travel News Harmony Hotel Lapa Rios Eco-Lodge Nature Air Playa Guiones Reuters Enter online to win a week in Costa Rica at eco-luxe lodgings, with organic meals and travel on the world''s first certified carbon-neutral airline. Win the ‘ultimate’ Costa Rican dream green vacation is a post from: Green Traveler Guides. MORE
This foot-shaped piece of land in southern Costa Rica is just about as far from San Jose as you can go without leaving the country. For the birder, roads are an ironic boon. Whether made of asphalt, gravel, or dirt, they help us reach more birding sites in less time. In many places, roads bring us to ever distant nature but the downside is that roads also give access to people who would rather replace forests, wetlands, and grasslands with unsustainable housing and agriculture. MORE
In just a few years, local bans on plastic bags have spread from San Francisco to Honolulu to the North Shore of Massachusetts. very effective, and it’s very cost-effective,” said Kerrie Romanow, director of environmental services for San Jose, Calif. Since San Jose’s ban took effect in 2012, plastic-bag litter in storm drains, which can contribute to flooding, has fallen by 89 percent. This is a special day. MORE
This beauty is fairly common in cloud forest, even on the volcanic slopes that overlook the urban conglomeration known as San Jose. As one might surmise, a “toucanet” is a small toucan. Although still large enough to be a menace to nesting birds, they aren’t as super sized as the “quintessential toucans”, the ones we see on cereal boxes and in advertising. MORE
Some other insider questions to think about before birding in Costa Rica include things like, “How can I avoid traffic in San Jose?”, A successful birding adventure tends to include a fair bit of planning. It’s needed if “success” is synonymous with seeing a higher percentage of target birds (even if that just means any possible species), the trip being rather glitch free, and having abundant coffee available at all hours. MORE
One involves a windy, leisurely ride through mountains south of San Jose, the road eventually becoming gravel with occasional pot holes as it descends to Mastatal, the main village next to the park. December is a busy time in Costa Rica. The end of the scholastic year coincides with the commencement of the “summer”dry season and a host of festivities to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. MORE
San Jose Mercury News ). We’ve got promising green news on how we move forward with energy needs in a world of climate change threats. The experience of seeing a California condor in the wild has been more rare than the bird itself…until now. ( The nation’s largest labor unions are gathering to talk about how to create green energy jobs and fight global warming. ( NBC 10 Pittsburgh ). What’s hungry, aggressive and is destroying Caribbean reefs? MORE
The most common urban parakeet, this is the one that has become adapted to nesting on buildings, including the center of San Jose. MORE
The wet lands around San Jose Del Cabo and Todos Santos are the primary areas for the population, but I have seen them in Agua Caliente and as far north as La Purisima. I have no doubt that they could also be seen in the extensive marsh areas of Magdalena Bay, Puerto Lopez Mateo and even up to San Ignacio. Thru their hard work, much of the wetlands around Todos Santos and San Jose Del Cabo have been set aside for the future of this very pretty little bird. MORE
I began the trip with a rather long drive from the airport hotel in San Jose to Punta Uva on the southern Caribbean coast for a couple of “free” days before joining the actual tour. I recently returned from a twelve day birding tour of Costa Rica with Lifer Tours guided by an incredible birder, David Rodriquez. MORE
And in the late afternoon of Wednesday, October 11th, I landed at the Juan Santamaria airport of the capital San Jose (I’ll be honest with you – before I was invited to the country, I didn’t know the name of its capital). I have just returned from Costa Rica, the country about which I knew very little, despite it coming under my radar all the way back in 1999 when the “Africa – Birds & Birding” magazine published some of John Graham’s experiences from his visit in 1993. MORE
It’s sort of stuck between San Jose and Cartago and since it’s a volcano, it doesn’t stop at dominating the skyline. Irazu is the name of a volcano in Costa Rica. In fitting with proper volcanic decorum, it must loom or lord over a nearby populace with either a hint or a fistful of menace. Fortunately, for the moment, Irazu’s menace is diminished to a very welcoming hint. MORE
All Central America Costa Rica Eco-adventure Eco-lodges Farmers' markets Osa Peninsula Restaurants/Cafes San Jose Coopedota Feria Verde Finca Bellavista James Kaiser Playa Nicuesa Lodge Product C Reuters Santa Maria de Dota| The Americas’ Greenest | Costa Rica and eco-travel have long been synonymous. And for good reason. MORE
As soon as you leave the airport near San Jose, unless you are coming from the southeastern states during the summer months, you won’t help but notice the higher level of humidity. San Jose Traffic : Ouch! Most birding time in Costa Rica is spent away from San Jose so no problem there. If you have to bird from the San Jose area, you will miss out on the traffic by leaving at five in the morning to go birding anyways. MORE
Even if you had to spend a few frustrating days stuck in the urban wonderland of San Jose and surroundings, you still share the streets and parks with screeching Crimson-fronted Parakeets. However, few people come to this beautiful country to be stuck in San Jose; some plane it here for the beach life, others for zip-lining and tropical adventure. Proximity – Although this area is fairly close to San Jose, the nearness in this case is all about the birds. MORE
We spent to bulk of the week in the San Isidro El General area, staying there as well as up in the Quizarra area. We had three nights in The Birders Retreat Air BnB, two nights in San Isidro proper, and then back to Quizarra to stay at the Valle de Luna BNB for our last night. Our trip to Costa Rica has come to an end, and sadly, it ended with one of the best weeks of birding in the entire year. MORE
Meanwhile, in San Jose, Calif., If you’ve got some downtime between barbecues and fireworks (or, outside of the U.S., obsessing over World Cup matches), here’s some bird news to peruse: Loss of suitable habitat , instead of insecticides, seems to be the culprit in declining numbers of grassland birds. Know what else kills grassland birds? Ill-timed mowing … which a petition aims to stop in New York’s Hudson Valley. officials are considering bird-friendly building regulations. MORE
The original idea involved a roundabout trip that went from the San Jose area to the wet foothills and lowlands of the Caribbean slope, then back up to cloud forest, high-elevation forest, way back down to the hot habitats of the Pacific coast, and then up to San Jose. Last weekend, I went on a quest. The adventure was sort of like a search for treasure, except that the jewels were feisty, feathered sprites. MORE
In Costa Rica, that would mean the Sarapiqui area because this is where we find the closest Caribbean lowland forests to San Jose. It takes about four or four and a half hours to drive to Casa Calateas from the San Jose area. Costa Rica is situated right between two oceans. To the north of this mountainous isthmus, we have the Atlantic. In the other direction, the Pacific. MORE
SoloPower is currently applying for a Department of Energy loan to increase its production abilities at their San Jose factory. This week, a company called SoloPower unveiled a new line of flexible solar panels for commercial rooftops. SoloPower makes thin-film cells from a combination of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium which is then placed on a flexible foil. MORE
The Ornate Hawk-Eagle was noticed at the last minute on our drive towards San Jose through the dense rainforests of Braulio Carrillo National Park. San Vito Birding Club meeting. I write this on the final day of the year, the last bit of 2019. MORE
In Costa Rica, since winter doesn’t exist, June is kind of like every other month except that it rains more and the little summer of San Juan is right around the corner. If you want to go the relaxed route, don’t worry, there’s still plenty to see in hotel gardens in and near San Jose. It’s the end of June and up north, the birds are busy with their young, and taking full advantage of the summer’s arthropod bounty. MORE
Located less than an hour’s drive from San Jose, this latter spot also offers some of the most exciting and accessible birding near the capital of Costa Rica. Want to know a good recipe for tons of different bird species? Mix high mountains with abundant water, add warm stable temperatures, throw in a pinch of dry areas, and blend it in a place where different evolutionary lineages meet. MORE
The following are twelve such species of hummingbirds easily seen after an hour or so drive from the San Jose area: Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. It more or less replaces the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird at higher elevations and is a common, easy bird to watch and take pictures of at the Volcan Restaurant and and other site in the hills above San Jose. MORE
Instead of freaking out the doves in farm fields up north, our bird flew over San Jose to make house just outside Cartago, one of the main cities in Costa Rica! Unlike San Jose, the inter-montane valley where Cartago is located has a more humid environment including open areas with marshes and fields of sedge. In Costa Rica, we don’t get many chances to chase birds. MORE
Getting to our lodge is easy from either San Jose or Liberia, and once here you can take advantage of our extensive trails, multiple birding observation platforms, two feeding stations, and a 35-foot high bamboo canopy tower (seen above), where you can easily observe and photograph colorful toucans, euphonias, honeycreepers, and hundreds more. 10,000 Birds is running a series of articles by and about tour guides, tour companies, eco-lodges, and other birding travel organizations. MORE
Located in the mountains that overlook crowded San Jose, this beautiful site acts as a welcome green escape for anyone interested in a cloud forest experience, and for the birder, you could hardly ask for more exciting birding so close to the capital. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle and find yourself in San Jose with a day to spare, pay a visit to Locos por el Bosque, bird count or not, the birding is worth the trip. MORE
I sample birding on Poas more often than at other sites in Costa Rica because it’s close to home and makes for a worthwhile guided day trip from the San Jose area. The Poas area offers up some easy, excellent birding, especially for birders staying in the San Jose area with just one or two free days. Flying in to Costa Rica is accompanied by porthole views of the Central Valley and the mountains that flank it. MORE
Adventure Blog (always click 4 all blogs) Chicago Health & Wellness Yoga Costa Rica hammock no Facebook no phone no Twitter reflection retreat San Jose unplug vow of silenceI found a vacant wicker rocking chair on top of a hill that gave me a much better view than my home page on Facebook. I scanned the clouds with a refreshed set of young eyes. MORE
If you are in the need for commercial roofing contractors in San Jose or any of their other service areas then consider Cool Roofing Systems. Traditional roofing materials can absorb up to 95% of solar and thermal heat, translating to a surface temperature of up to 185 degrees F, which translates into deeper energy usage and high cooling cost. A cool roof is the answer to that. MORE
Brown signed the bill at a solar panel manufacturing plant near San Jose. USAToday : Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed legislation requiring California utilities to get one-third of their power from renewable sources, giving the state the most aggressive alternative energy mandate in the U.S. California utilities and other electricity providers have until the end of 2020 to draw 33% of their power from solar panels, windmills and other renewable sources. MORE
The first thing most people think of when the Baja, Mexico comes up, is “Cabo” or Cabo San Lucas, as it is officially called. For me, the southernmost end of the Baja, is all about the estuary in nearby San Jose Del Cabo. Birding Belding's Yellowthroat Mexico Northern Harrier San Jose Del Cabo White-faced IbisSquid Row, Cabo Crazies, and of course the Spring Break follies! MORE
That gave me Sunday morning off to re-visit the estuary at San Jose Del Cabo for the first time since Hurricane Lidia struck the area. Last weekend, my work had me driving to the very southern end of the Baja. At some later point, I can cover the incredible destruction that this beautiful area was dealt, but today I want to show off the new discovery that I found amongst the damage. My primary purpose for the visit was to see how the Belding’s Yellowthroats had faired. MORE
Hundreds of them have washed ashore dead between San Jose and Piura on the country’s north coast. Hardy Jones, executive director of BlueVoice.org and Dr. Carlos Yaipen Llanos of ORCA Peru covered 135 kilometers of beach running north from the fishing village of San Jose. A catastrophe has hit the dolphins of Peru. MORE
Although a lot of beautiful rainforest was replaced by bananas, cattle pasture, and other ag-lands many years ago, at least we can still enjoy great birding at a number of sites, most of which are easily accessible including Sarapiqui, the most visited site in the lowlands north of San Jose. As with peninsulas and places situated on an isthmus, Costa Rica has more than one coast. MORE
Following the successful completion of a long pilot program, Starbucks announced that San Francisco branches will be among the first to offer the wireless charging technology to customers. Stores in San Jose, California and Boston, Massachusetts are already using the technology, but most other stores across the nation will have to wait until 2015. MORE
San Jose Related Topics 10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 16, 2016
The first thing most people think of when the Baja, Mexico comes up, is “Cabo” or Cabo San Lucas, as it is officially called. For me, the southernmost end of the Baja, is all about the estuary in nearby San Jose Del Cabo. Birding Belding's Yellowthroat Mexico Northern Harrier San Jose Del Cabo White-faced IbisSquid Row, Cabo Crazies, and of course the Spring Break follies!
Green Traveler Guides
MAY 31, 2013
Central America Costa Rica Experiences/Events News Nosara Osa Peninsula San Jose The Americas Tours Alta Hotel Cayuga Collection Coati Green Travel News Harmony Hotel Lapa Rios Eco-Lodge Nature Air Playa Guiones Reuters Enter online to win a week in Costa Rica at eco-luxe lodgings, with organic meals and travel on the world''s first certified carbon-neutral airline. Win the ‘ultimate’ Costa Rican dream green vacation is a post from: Green Traveler Guides.
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Green Traveler Guides
MARCH 12, 2013
All Central America Costa Rica Eco-adventure Eco-lodges Farmers' markets Osa Peninsula Restaurants/Cafes San Jose Coopedota Feria Verde Finca Bellavista James Kaiser Playa Nicuesa Lodge Product C Reuters Santa Maria de Dota| The Americas’ Greenest | Costa Rica and eco-travel have long been synonymous. And for good reason.
Green Traveler Guides
MARCH 12, 2013
All Central America Costa Rica Eco-adventure Eco-lodges Farmers'' markets Osa Peninsula Restaurants/Cafes San Jose Coopedota Feria Verde Finca Bellavista James Kaiser Playa Nicuesa Lodge Product C Reuters Santa Maria de Dota | The Americas’ Greenest | Costa Rica and eco-travel have long been synonymous. And for good reason.
Elephant Journal
MAY 11, 2015
Adventure Blog (always click 4 all blogs) Chicago Health & Wellness Yoga Costa Rica hammock no Facebook no phone no Twitter reflection retreat San Jose unplug vow of silenceI found a vacant wicker rocking chair on top of a hill that gave me a much better view than my home page on Facebook. I scanned the clouds with a refreshed set of young eyes.
Conservancy Talk
OCTOBER 23, 2013
San Jose Mercury News ). We’ve got promising green news on how we move forward with energy needs in a world of climate change threats. The experience of seeing a California condor in the wild has been more rare than the bird itself…until now. ( The nation’s largest labor unions are gathering to talk about how to create green energy jobs and fight global warming. ( NBC 10 Pittsburgh ). What’s hungry, aggressive and is destroying Caribbean reefs?
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 4, 2018
Even if you had to spend a few frustrating days stuck in the urban wonderland of San Jose and surroundings, you still share the streets and parks with screeching Crimson-fronted Parakeets. However, few people come to this beautiful country to be stuck in San Jose; some plane it here for the beach life, others for zip-lining and tropical adventure. Proximity – Although this area is fairly close to San Jose, the nearness in this case is all about the birds.
Eccorazzi
JULY 23, 2013
Famous vegan mama indulges her sweet tooth with "crazy" vegan treats from Psycho Donuts in San Jose, California. Read More The post Mayim Bialik Celebrates Emmy Nomination with Vegan Donuts appeared first on Ecorazzi. Eats Entertainment Film/TV News Science Vegan Mayim Bialik
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 2, 2017
The following are twelve such species of hummingbirds easily seen after an hour or so drive from the San Jose area: Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. It more or less replaces the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird at higher elevations and is a common, easy bird to watch and take pictures of at the Volcan Restaurant and and other site in the hills above San Jose.
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 4, 2014
As soon as you leave the airport near San Jose, unless you are coming from the southeastern states during the summer months, you won’t help but notice the higher level of humidity. San Jose Traffic : Ouch! Most birding time in Costa Rica is spent away from San Jose so no problem there. If you have to bird from the San Jose area, you will miss out on the traffic by leaving at five in the morning to go birding anyways.
Environmental Economics
APRIL 30, 2015
The poll, which was conducted by the San Jose, Calif. The Hill: A majority of voters would support a 10-cent increase in the federal gas tax if the money is used for specific transportation improvements, according to a new poll released on Wednesday. Mineta Transportation Institute, found that 71 percent of voters would be willing to pay a dime more than the current 18.4
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 15, 2017
That gave me Sunday morning off to re-visit the estuary at San Jose Del Cabo for the first time since Hurricane Lidia struck the area. Last weekend, my work had me driving to the very southern end of the Baja. At some later point, I can cover the incredible destruction that this beautiful area was dealt, but today I want to show off the new discovery that I found amongst the damage. My primary purpose for the visit was to see how the Belding’s Yellowthroats had faired.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 20, 2020
The most common urban parakeet, this is the one that has become adapted to nesting on buildings, including the center of San Jose.
Solar Power Ninja
JULY 12, 2010
SoloPower is currently applying for a Department of Energy loan to increase its production abilities at their San Jose factory. This week, a company called SoloPower unveiled a new line of flexible solar panels for commercial rooftops. SoloPower makes thin-film cells from a combination of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium which is then placed on a flexible foil.
10,000 Birds
JULY 21, 2018
Located in the mountains that overlook crowded San Jose, this beautiful site acts as a welcome green escape for anyone interested in a cloud forest experience, and for the birder, you could hardly ask for more exciting birding so close to the capital. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle and find yourself in San Jose with a day to spare, pay a visit to Locos por el Bosque, bird count or not, the birding is worth the trip.
Celsias
APRIL 5, 2012
Hundreds of them have washed ashore dead between San Jose and Piura on the country’s north coast. Hardy Jones, executive director of BlueVoice.org and Dr. Carlos Yaipen Llanos of ORCA Peru covered 135 kilometers of beach running north from the fishing village of San Jose. A catastrophe has hit the dolphins of Peru.
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 24, 2018
This is how we saw 300 plus species in three days on day trips out of the San Jose area and it’s only one of several options: High and middle elevations. Those happened in the form of a visit to Cope’s where we were treated to a nice selection of lowland species at close focus length in Jose’s birding oasis followed by soul satisfying views of roosting Spectacled and Crested Owls. Birds can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways.
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 4, 2020
The Ornate Hawk-Eagle was noticed at the last minute on our drive towards San Jose through the dense rainforests of Braulio Carrillo National Park. San Vito Birding Club meeting. I write this on the final day of the year, the last bit of 2019.
10,000 Birds
JULY 4, 2014
Meanwhile, in San Jose, Calif., If you’ve got some downtime between barbecues and fireworks (or, outside of the U.S., obsessing over World Cup matches), here’s some bird news to peruse: Loss of suitable habitat , instead of insecticides, seems to be the culprit in declining numbers of grassland birds. Know what else kills grassland birds? Ill-timed mowing … which a petition aims to stop in New York’s Hudson Valley. officials are considering bird-friendly building regulations.
10,000 Birds
MAY 4, 2016
The wet lands around San Jose Del Cabo and Todos Santos are the primary areas for the population, but I have seen them in Agua Caliente and as far north as La Purisima. I have no doubt that they could also be seen in the extensive marsh areas of Magdalena Bay, Puerto Lopez Mateo and even up to San Ignacio. Thru their hard work, much of the wetlands around Todos Santos and San Jose Del Cabo have been set aside for the future of this very pretty little bird.
Hug a Tree with Me
JUNE 23, 2013
If you are in the need for commercial roofing contractors in San Jose or any of their other service areas then consider Cool Roofing Systems. Traditional roofing materials can absorb up to 95% of solar and thermal heat, translating to a surface temperature of up to 185 degrees F, which translates into deeper energy usage and high cooling cost. A cool roof is the answer to that.
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
At some stage, almost standing still in a traffic jam on the highway towards San Jose, I was calling a fellow 10K beat writer Pat O’Donnell, enquiring about the chances to meet in my hotel. Don’t you hate it when you cannot communicate while birding overseas? Having mobility issues, I still remember birding from a van along a rather productive dirt road in Costa Rica ( Broad-billed Motmot , Lineated Woodpecker , Cocoa Woodcreeper , etc.), while the rest of the group took a hike.
10,000 Birds
MARCH 7, 2019
I began the trip with a rather long drive from the airport hotel in San Jose to Punta Uva on the southern Caribbean coast for a couple of “free” days before joining the actual tour. I recently returned from a twelve day birding tour of Costa Rica with Lifer Tours guided by an incredible birder, David Rodriquez.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 19, 2017
Instead of freaking out the doves in farm fields up north, our bird flew over San Jose to make house just outside Cartago, one of the main cities in Costa Rica! Unlike San Jose, the inter-montane valley where Cartago is located has a more humid environment including open areas with marshes and fields of sedge. In Costa Rica, we don’t get many chances to chase birds.
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 8, 2018
One involves a windy, leisurely ride through mountains south of San Jose, the road eventually becoming gravel with occasional pot holes as it descends to Mastatal, the main village next to the park. December is a busy time in Costa Rica. The end of the scholastic year coincides with the commencement of the “summer”dry season and a host of festivities to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
Environmental Economics
FEBRUARY 27, 2014
In just a few years, local bans on plastic bags have spread from San Francisco to Honolulu to the North Shore of Massachusetts. very effective, and it’s very cost-effective,” said Kerrie Romanow, director of environmental services for San Jose, Calif. Since San Jose’s ban took effect in 2012, plastic-bag litter in storm drains, which can contribute to flooding, has fallen by 89 percent. This is a special day.
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 29, 2016
In Costa Rica, that would mean the Sarapiqui area because this is where we find the closest Caribbean lowland forests to San Jose. It takes about four or four and a half hours to drive to Casa Calateas from the San Jose area. Costa Rica is situated right between two oceans. To the north of this mountainous isthmus, we have the Atlantic. In the other direction, the Pacific.
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018
I sample birding on Poas more often than at other sites in Costa Rica because it’s close to home and makes for a worthwhile guided day trip from the San Jose area. The Poas area offers up some easy, excellent birding, especially for birders staying in the San Jose area with just one or two free days. Flying in to Costa Rica is accompanied by porthole views of the Central Valley and the mountains that flank it.
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 26, 2017
And in the late afternoon of Wednesday, October 11th, I landed at the Juan Santamaria airport of the capital San Jose (I’ll be honest with you – before I was invited to the country, I didn’t know the name of its capital). I have just returned from Costa Rica, the country about which I knew very little, despite it coming under my radar all the way back in 1999 when the “Africa – Birds & Birding” magazine published some of John Graham’s experiences from his visit in 1993.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 9, 2018
This beauty is fairly common in cloud forest, even on the volcanic slopes that overlook the urban conglomeration known as San Jose. As one might surmise, a “toucanet” is a small toucan. Although still large enough to be a menace to nesting birds, they aren’t as super sized as the “quintessential toucans”, the ones we see on cereal boxes and in advertising.
10,000 Birds
MARCH 7, 2015
The original idea involved a roundabout trip that went from the San Jose area to the wet foothills and lowlands of the Caribbean slope, then back up to cloud forest, high-elevation forest, way back down to the hot habitats of the Pacific coast, and then up to San Jose. Last weekend, I went on a quest. The adventure was sort of like a search for treasure, except that the jewels were feisty, feathered sprites.
10,000 Birds
OCTOBER 23, 2011
Zamora Estate protects acres of unspoiled habitat within one of the fastest growing sections of San Jose, a holding that has sustained four generations of the Zamora family. The estate would be attractive based on location alone, since no other lodging worthy of the appellation “eco-luxe” lies less than 20 minutes from the San Jose airport.
10,000 Birds
APRIL 4, 2015
It’s sort of stuck between San Jose and Cartago and since it’s a volcano, it doesn’t stop at dominating the skyline. Irazu is the name of a volcano in Costa Rica. In fitting with proper volcanic decorum, it must loom or lord over a nearby populace with either a hint or a fistful of menace. Fortunately, for the moment, Irazu’s menace is diminished to a very welcoming hint.
10,000 Birds
MARCH 18, 2017
Located less than an hour’s drive from San Jose, this latter spot also offers some of the most exciting and accessible birding near the capital of Costa Rica. Want to know a good recipe for tons of different bird species? Mix high mountains with abundant water, add warm stable temperatures, throw in a pinch of dry areas, and blend it in a place where different evolutionary lineages meet.
10,000 Birds
JULY 22, 2017
Although a lot of beautiful rainforest was replaced by bananas, cattle pasture, and other ag-lands many years ago, at least we can still enjoy great birding at a number of sites, most of which are easily accessible including Sarapiqui, the most visited site in the lowlands north of San Jose. As with peninsulas and places situated on an isthmus, Costa Rica has more than one coast.
10,000 Birds
MARCH 31, 2018
Some other insider questions to think about before birding in Costa Rica include things like, “How can I avoid traffic in San Jose?”, A successful birding adventure tends to include a fair bit of planning. It’s needed if “success” is synonymous with seeing a higher percentage of target birds (even if that just means any possible species), the trip being rather glitch free, and having abundant coffee available at all hours.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 17, 2016
These Ruddy Ground Doves were found in the saltwater lagoon near San Jose Del Cabo. The country of Mexico as a whole, is host to 27 different species of doves, with the California Baja Sure home to six. The Baja, as it is known, is a truly diverse area. There is of course the dry, cactus strewn desert areas, but with mountains up to 7000 feet, the habitat for our local birds is quite varied. We have expanse saltwater lagoons, Rocky ocean shores, and fresh water streams and lakes.
Environmental Economics
APRIL 13, 2011
Brown signed the bill at a solar panel manufacturing plant near San Jose. USAToday : Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed legislation requiring California utilities to get one-third of their power from renewable sources, giving the state the most aggressive alternative energy mandate in the U.S. California utilities and other electricity providers have until the end of 2020 to draw 33% of their power from solar panels, windmills and other renewable sources.
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 11, 2017
That’s where most of Costa Rica’s population resides and because of that, it’s also why we headed out around dawn, happily leaving the long line of vehicles on their way to San Jose in the rear view mirror. One of our first was at the remnant marshes of El Silencio, a small site just off the San Ramon-la Fortuna road that is always worth checking. I have a confession to make. Last weekend, I went on a birding binge.
Green Prophet
JUNE 16, 2014
Following the successful completion of a long pilot program, Starbucks announced that San Francisco branches will be among the first to offer the wireless charging technology to customers. Stores in San Jose, California and Boston, Massachusetts are already using the technology, but most other stores across the nation will have to wait until 2015.
10,000 Birds
NOVEMBER 21, 2018
We spent to bulk of the week in the San Isidro El General area, staying there as well as up in the Quizarra area. We had three nights in The Birders Retreat Air BnB, two nights in San Isidro proper, and then back to Quizarra to stay at the Valle de Luna BNB for our last night. Our trip to Costa Rica has come to an end, and sadly, it ended with one of the best weeks of birding in the entire year.
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 6, 2014
This foot-shaped piece of land in southern Costa Rica is just about as far from San Jose as you can go without leaving the country. For the birder, roads are an ironic boon. Whether made of asphalt, gravel, or dirt, they help us reach more birding sites in less time. In many places, roads bring us to ever distant nature but the downside is that roads also give access to people who would rather replace forests, wetlands, and grasslands with unsustainable housing and agriculture.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 27, 2015
In Costa Rica, since winter doesn’t exist, June is kind of like every other month except that it rains more and the little summer of San Juan is right around the corner. If you want to go the relaxed route, don’t worry, there’s still plenty to see in hotel gardens in and near San Jose. It’s the end of June and up north, the birds are busy with their young, and taking full advantage of the summer’s arthropod bounty.
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