Costa Rica has long been a mecca for traveling birders- as a small, "up and down" country the variety of easily accessible habitat is mind-bogling. CR has almost 900 species crammed into a area the size of Colorado! The close proximity of all this diversity to the main airport in San Jose is what sets this country apart from say, Panama, where visiting the high country from Panama City requires a long car ride or additional time in the air. One can convieniently motor from chilly mountain cloud forest to pristine Pacific coastlines in a few hours. Add to an expeditited travel schedule a robust transportation system, both public and for hire, a well developed tourist infrastructure, numerous ecolodges scattered about and a high level of special or range restricted species and the lure becomes irresistable. CR really is a unique and altogether satisfying birding experience. In November of 2008 four excited birders from Southeast Texas made the trek to this fabulous Central American country, and below are the results of one of the participants meager attempts to document our finds. Be sure and visit Don Jeane's Smugmug page also for some really spectacular shots from this birdtrek. Note that the recent earthquake In Jan '09 centered in and around the La Paz/Chincona area has basically destroyed much of the region's birding and nature hotspots, or at least made them inaccessible for awhile. For those planning this sort of trip down south, our group can heartily recommend the services of Costa Rica Gateway, whose assistance in arranging van transportation, lodge reservations and guide service was reasonable, professional, economical and indespensible. By acting as our own "general contractor" in this manner, we saved a bundle of dough!