Nice one Ralph!
I'm currently on exactly 20 of the CR Hummer species (although that's over 3 separate trips to different parts of the country).
But was very glad to get this one!
That's awesome! Did you manage to photograph all of them?
I was able to get decent or good photo's of 12 species. The purple-crowned fairy was able to evade my camera.
It was one trip for me so 13 species is quite alright. Also saw 3 more species in Mexico (Yucatan).
I'm returning to Central America this year. Nicaragua this time around. Hopefully I'll see some more hummingbirds!
No gallery indeed, and neither is there for their National Zoo. (which I'm not sure I'll be visiting. From what I can find online, it doesn't look that impressive)
I'll be sure to share photo's. I expect I'll see less species than I will in CR, but I already found a few locations that would give me the possibility to add a few new species (like double-striped thick knee and black skimmer). I will also try to find a few species I missed in Costa Rica (I didn't see any puffbirds of bellbirds) On the other hand, this time around I'll be visiting in winter which means there will be winter visitors that weren't there when I was in CR (July)
Unfortunately, the El Jaguar Reserve is now closed, which was a main destination for mammal watching (olingo, tayra).
Surprised you didn't see Three-wattled Bellbird, as I saw both times I went to Monteverde (2019, 2022). Also White-whiskered Puffbird in 2022, but these are much harder as they skulk low in the trees. Some of my pics from previous trips are on here too, if you're interested.
Black Skimmer would be wonderful species to see....
Was it very wet in CR in July? We are considering a wet season trip at some point (all our 3 trips have been in Mar-Apr).
There are so many amazing/ rarely seen mammals in Central America - but most are nocturnal and very hard to see. You've clearly seen a few though.....
When I was in CR in July, we had two days where it rained the entire day (one in Monteverde, one in Drake Bay). The other days were mostly dry, the evenings wetter (which might be a concern if you're doing night walks)
I did see a couple of nocturnal mammals in CR - both sloths (but saw those during the day as well), kinkajou and nine-banded armadillo. Got very close to seeing a possum (this one I can blame on the guide).
I hope to see a couple of others in Nicaragua, like a porcupine or skunk, but I guess I will need to be very lucky. A margay, ocelot or olingo would be a dream come true, but I don't see that happening.
Also hoping to see a few owls - I saw two species in CR (mottled, barn), but I'd love to see one of the larger species like the spectacled owl. Again, I will need a lot of luck.
