Today is Tuesday, Saturday I will leave all I know and love to pursue a lifelong love of birds and nature in general.  I am packed, I am bored, I am ready to head into what I know as the unknown to discover volcanos, snorkeling, white water rafting, rip lining and discovering a world that up to now has only been available to me through National Geographic and Nova.  I want to smell the air, taste the salt of the water that the sea turtles taste, smell the clean air and feel the breeze that many of the birds I have studied for a lifetime take for granted.  They expect the fresh air and breeze under wing.  I will see things that the average Homo Sapiens will never see,  The world as it was meant to be, natural, undisturbed, uninhibited, to see the diversity of species that a sheltered life here in the United States has sheltered me from.  I am filled with angst and excitement as I imagine seeing flocks of Scarlet McCaw's flying or feeding on the clay that is such an important part of their diet. Or watching a hummingbird with a plethora of color exploding from his foliage, hovering to take in the nectar the earth has provided.   To walk along the shores of the most famous geographers, biologists and adventurers from all facets of science, just to see the same sunset they might have seen, to walk along under the ruckus of howler monkeys, and do what a naturalist does, watch, listen, smell, think, and wonder how it all comes together.  These are the things on my mind as I sit in my comfortable condominium in Tulsa Oklahoma, a long way from my birthplace, a long way from my resting place.  I am ready.  I am honored.  I am humbled for this opportunity.

Below is a map of the area we will be travelling in.

Here is the Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) featured on the cover of "The Birds of Costa Rica" (Garrigues and Dean 2007) and in the advertisement magazine "Overseas Adventure Travel" published 5/23/14.  Such a popular bird in several publications, I expect to see some in Costa Rica!!

And finally, one of several species of Spider Monkeys pictured in the Manuel Antonio National Park

I have been doing my homework and getting to know the species I will see there.  It's going to be a great trip!!

I have been watching a "Great Blue Heron" (Ardea herodias) in the retention pond in Oklahoma.  Just discovered this is one of the largest wading birds.  This guy is a long way from home!!

Introduction

Geocaching at Chandler park-Tulsa OK

Eurasian Eagle Owl- compliments of  

Bob Aanonsen

Steltzlen, Christopher is my name.  This is my first blog and I am sure there will be a learning curve of sorts.  I am hopeful I will be able to add some interesting content during my trip to Costa Rica.  This is my second time in the tropics, I have traveled extensively in Europe, from Amsterdam to the Czech Republic by train.  I have to say that was an amazing trip and I learned so much in all the stops along the way.  This trip is Costa Rica with a study abroad trip.
I am a lover of birds of all sizes and habitats, I have loved birds as long as I can remember.  Not sure what it is about birds, but they always seem to bring a smile to my face no matter the mood I am in.  I also love to Geocache.  Geocaching is growing in popularity and I keep up with new ideas for Geocaching.  Latest I heard there was one placed by NASA in outer space and I know of some under water that require diving equipment to get to them.  I will keep my Geocaching simple and safe in Costa Rica, as I intend to spend most of my time watching the birds I have spent a lifetime learning about and loving, in their natural setting, where I think they truly belong.  So, here is my introduction, I will add content frequently and read other blogs to get ideas.  Hope you follow me on my trip through Costa Rica and get a "birdseye" view of the diversity of species and wonderful ecosystem there.