This photo shows a frog that was found near the small constructed pond in C & J gardens. Numerous frog species can be heard during the night at our pond in Playa Chiquita.
Frog in the garden
Check out this howler monkey video to see them jump from tree to tree behind the C & J gardens. This other howler monkey video shows a common sight for the people staying at C & J Cabinas in Playa Chiquita, as these howler monkeys are found all around the property.
Take a look at this three-toed sloth seen just down the road from C & J Cabinas in Playa Chiquita! Both two- and three-toed sloths are found here, and you will be very lucky if you get to see one. This is because sloths live in the trees, and only come down once a week to go to the bathroom.
Check out this red legged honeycreeper found feasting on a bunch of ripening bananas in the C & J gardens! This honeycreeper is joined by another bird species, and species interaction is a common sight here at C & J Cabinas. Playa Chiquita is an excellent spot for bird watching, because many different Costa Rican bird species are found here.
We see a fascinating daily display from the insect world, just in and around our neighborhood. A wide variety of insects and invertebrates inspire exhibitions in mimicry, defense and color. It’s safe to look, but don’t touch - especially the catepillars!
Photo Gallery
Costa Rica is home to more bird species (approximately 890) than huge areas such as Europe and North America. Of these, some 600 species are permanent residents. 
More than 200 species of migrant birds travel to Costa Rica every year, mostly from North America. From September through November, Costa Rica becomes a corridor for thousands of migrant birds, on their way from North America to South America and Panama. These birds migrate in order to spend the Northern winter at the tropics, where they share available food with resident species. Particularly in October, the passage of thousands of vultures and raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons and their kin) through the Caribbean region of Costa Rica is a spectacular phenomenon that attracts many bird watchers.
Birding Gallery (more photos coming soon!)
Chris recently rescued and relocated these two boa constrictors. The massive one was found on the main road on February 11, not far from C & J’s. It is the largest relocated boa to date. The baby boa in Chris’ hand was removed from a house in Cocles. WOW! 
Colombian redtail boas are the largest snakes found in Costa Rica. Boas are important members of our ecosystem, as are all snakes, especially because they feed on mice and rats! This means that they are preventing the spead of disease to humans by rodents. We try to educate neighbors that boas are a good snake to have around your home property, and you should not kill them. However, if you are uncomfortable sharing your couch with a friendly boa, then call C & J to have it safely removed and relocated to natural habitat.
Look at this video of a 2.5 meter long boa constrictor taken just after its release into the jungle by Chris.
Check out this eyelash viper (Bothriechis schleglii) that was found at a neighbor’s home and relocated by C & J. The name “eyelash viper” comes from a distinguishing characteristic of these snakes, which is a modified set of scales over their eyes that resemble eyelashes. Wide variations in color help these poisonous snakes blend into their environment. These vipers are arboreal, meaning that they live in trees, and are one of the most common species of snakes found in this Caribbean area of Costa Rica.
Most of the time we can’t see the frogs that are vocalizing, but we enjoy listening to them.
Follow this link to listen to this frog’s vocalization (unfortunately we couldn’t find it in the vegetation!)
In our own backyard, we grow bananas, which provide an awesome opportunity for birding. Most of the time, the birds enjoy the bananas before we do!
Follow this link to watch Red-legged Honeycreepers feasting…
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5799869354450894532
These howler monkeys have been hanging around our neighborhood lately.
Listen to the howler monkeys by following this link:
