C & J Cabinas - Playa Chiquita beach, Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica

Yes, that is a real fly

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:33:15 +0000

Around our own garden we see a variety of wildlife, especially insects, that seem impossible to describe. Here is a stunning blue fly that we found. It’s real - we didn’t paint it, although it looks like it! We set it on a loofah sponge grown from our own garden for this photo opportunity.

New Moth Sightings

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:19:26 +0000

WOW! Here is just a sample of some of the new moths we have sighted in our garden and outdoor kitchen. The photos don’t do justice to how large these moths are - they are huge!

Birding Videos

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:08:21 +0000

Backyard birding caught on video!

This tanager decided that it could better reach the bananas upside down.

Listen and watch as a Cacique calls and feasts on ripening bananas.

Passerine’s Tanagers can often be found in our garden, feeding on bananas, calling and chasing each other.

Blue-gray Tanagers are common visitors to the garden and are often seen feeding on or around our banana plants. Right now there are many bananas fruiting! A great opportunity for close-up backyard birding.

Thief Caught in the Act

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:58:35 +0000

Can you believe it? Not only do we have the normal challenges of gardening in a tropical environment, but the local lizards are munching on our precious cherry tomatoes! This is a common basilisk…it was found taking a big bite out of a tomato and then ran away with his find. We hope it was tasty!

Lizards All Around

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:31:31 +0000

There are many types of anoles, a type of lizard that we commonly find around our gardens. This one is the green anole, looking quite curious in a patch of hibiscus. That green color is the exact color as the surrounding leaves!

The photo below is of a canopy anole (Norops lemurinus) that was found in the C & J gardens. This was a unique wildlife viewing experience, because these anoles rarely venture down from the forest canopy to the forest floor. Canopy anoles are distributed along the Atlantic coast of Central America, and live in forested lowland areas from sea level to at least 800 meters. These anoles are just one of the variety of lizards that roam the C & J property.

Lizard found at C&J Cabinas

Frogs in Our Garden

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:41:34 +0000

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

Howler Monkeys on the Move

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:26:19 +0000

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.

Sloth sighting

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:01:07 +0000

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.

Banana Feast!

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:54:57 +0000

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.

Insects and more

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:34:33 +0000

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