tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76295889046489608952024-02-20T01:58:16.126-05:00The Buckeye Herps BlogSearching for Reptiles and Amphibians in Ohio and MichiganBuckeyeherperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511804617379162369noreply@blogger.comBlogger20615tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629588904648960895.post-87334213823162880192015-02-13T01:01:00.000-05:002015-02-13T01:04:39.472-05:00Costa Rica 2014: Part 4 Finca Kubicki and the CRARC<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
You can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.<br />
<br />
<br />
Our last night was spent at the <a href="http://cramphibian.com/">Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center</a>, owned and operated by Brian Kubicki and his family. Finca Kubicki has a very large number of frogs documented, and some of them are quite rare. You can stay there in a cozy casita for a very reasonable rate, and get guided hikes of the property. He has quite the eye and ear for amphibians, and knows his property very well. It would have been great to explore this two nights and not try to cram so much into one night. A huge thanks to Brian for going on a marathon slog with us!<br />
<br />
Shortly into our hike, we started finding the herps.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/phaeota_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/phaeota_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Smilisca phaeota</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We were a bit higher in elevation than La Selva, and there was a new Craugastor in town.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccrass_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccrass_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Isla Bonita Robber Frog <i>Craugastor crassidigitus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ddiastema_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ddiastema_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Tink Frogs were calling, <i>Diasporus diastema</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the streams through the property contained a new species for us - Rainforest Rocket Frog <i>Silverstoneia flotator</i> tadpoles. I would have really enjoyed seeing an adult of this species, as they are quite striking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Sflotator_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Sflotator_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We started to explore some streams and seepages along the Siquirres River, and more new frogs started to show up. Let there be glass frogs!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Salbomaculata_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Salbomaculata_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">White-spotted Cochran Frog <i>Sachatamia albomaculata. </i>I wish I had photographed this frog better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I cut my photosession short because I got distracted looking into these ghostly eyes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Silex_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Silex_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Limon Giant Glass Frog, otherwise known as Ghost Glass Frog <i>Sachatamia ilex</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Silex_27jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Silex_27jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Palmer's Treefrog <i>Hyloscirtus palmeri </i>was next. This was a very uniquely shaped frog in my opinion, it's smile is endearing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hpalmeri_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hpalmeri_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Amplectic <i>Pristimantis cruentas</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">More <i>Pristimantis cruentas</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pridens_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pridens_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Pristimantis ridens</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were following the trail and I happened to glance to my right, noticing a head perched on top of a leaf, facing away from me. It was about 10-15 yards off try. Pays to get lucky sometimes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Eyelash Viper <i>Bothriechis schlegelii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I mentioned some camera issues I had earlier. These had persisted, and I managed to just work around them. Often I was shooting without the use of my LCD to review shots, not a huge deal. Photographing this eyelash, one of Carl's Canon flashes seemed to be having major fits. The humidity really rips through camera gear. Having spent much of the week fighting through issues, I felt bad Carl had to go through a similar experience.<br />
<br />
We turned up a couple of these awesome frogs throughout the night. This became another one of my favorites of the trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Drufioculis_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Drufioculis_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Rufous-eyed Brook Frog <i>Duellmanohyla rufioculis</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hpalmeri_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hpalmeri_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Another palmers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hpalmeri_27jun14_3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hpalmeri_27jun14_3a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">And another.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Most of the hike we were finding frogs left and right. There were some slower times as we moved to different areas though, and we all enjoyed picking Kubicki's brain on his knowledge of his land the the herps on it. My brother was still dreaming about ugly water snakes, and Kubicki had mentioned he saw them fairly frequently in the smaller streams. Not too long after...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hconcolor_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hconcolor_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Costa Rica Water Snake <i>Hydromorphus concolor. </i>Brian was ecstatic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another <i>Nothopsis rugosus </i>was spotted crossing the trail. A week ago, we didn't even know the snake existed, and now we had seen two.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Nrugosus_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Nrugosus_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I believe this is a good looking <i>Craugastor crassidigitus</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We saw a few of yet another glassfrog species - The La Palma Glass Frog <i>Hyalinobactrachium valerioi. </i>They liked to call from the underside of leaves.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hvalerioi_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hvalerioi_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hvalerioi_27jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Hvalerioi_27jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The frog bonanza continued. Lancaster's Treefrog <i>Isthmohyla lancasteri</i> was really stinking cool. Metallic looking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ilancasteri_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ilancasteri_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ilancasteri_27jun14_1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ilancasteri_27jun14_1c.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We heard another species of glassfrog - Grainy Cochran Frog <i>Cochranella granulosa</i>, and saw an eggmass, but never saw an adult.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cgranulosa_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cgranulosa_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
A Blunthead Tree Snake <i>Imantodes cenchoa</i> turned up along the trail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Icenchoa_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Icenchoa_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We reached a section of the preserve where the Lemur Leaf Frog, <i>Agalychnis lemur</i>, was more common. A number of them turned up fairly quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_3a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our first Splendid Leaf Frog <i>Cruziohyla calcarifer</i> at CRARC also turned up in this area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
More lemur. Where do they get the name?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Alemur_27jun14_4a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Brian Kubicki continued his quest of finding us new frogs and spotted this Gliding Tree Frog <i>Agalychnis spurrelli</i> from very far away. It was a huge frog with giant webbed hands and feet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Aspurrelli_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Aspurrelli_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The strawberry poison dart frogs looked a little different here compared to La Selva.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Opumilio_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Opumilio_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
By this time we had been at it for many hours. It was very late, and we were all starting to drag a bit. Every turn in the trail held something new though, and more opportunities for pictures. Some small ponds held a few more species we did not see along the streams and seepages.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Derbracattus_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Derbracattus_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hourglass Tree Frog <i>Dendropsophus ebraccatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Derbracattus_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Derbracattus_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Derbracattus_27jun14_3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Derbracattus_27jun14_3a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This <i>Leptodeira septentrionalis</i> was hunting in the vegetation the hourglass tree frogs were hanging out in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Lseptentrionalis_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Lseptentrionalis_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We had been looking for salamanders all over La Selva, and we were pretty excited to have a decent shot at them here. It took almost all night, but we finally saw a few.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPw0lXTalMUoUZmhRjrVYFdIiX3ZezohjauRn_Tpwz__uWup73GlrrwDkpCmcekPuPVWjQQZ5DOweKi8Kxt8s71SvtmCISKcqrvjXqsRnYXckFR1x1A0uNd2V2sobPPrTexlIBTgs-ww/s1600/Bstriatula_27jun14_1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPw0lXTalMUoUZmhRjrVYFdIiX3ZezohjauRn_Tpwz__uWup73GlrrwDkpCmcekPuPVWjQQZ5DOweKi8Kxt8s71SvtmCISKcqrvjXqsRnYXckFR1x1A0uNd2V2sobPPrTexlIBTgs-ww/s1600/Bstriatula_27jun14_1d.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Cukra Climbing Salamander <i>Bolitoglossa striatula</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Bstriatula_27jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Bstriatula_27jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another pond had yet more amphibian and reptile life.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Kleucostomum_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Kleucostomum_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A wary <i>Kinosternum leucostomum</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tloquax_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tloquax_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mahogany Tree Frog<i> Tlacohyla loquax</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And the other salamander species. We found two of these salamanders getting very close to our lodging for the night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Bcolonnea_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Bcolonnea_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">La Loma Salamander <i>Bolitoglossa colonnea</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Bcolonnea_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Bcolonnea_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We made a last ditch, half asleep effort for <i>Anotheca spinosa</i> without success. Check it out if you have never heard of it before. A super cool frog. I guess you can't see everything in one night. We thanked Brian Kubicki for his wonderful hospitality and for sharing his knowledge. Although exhausted, we made time to enjoy a last cerveza or two. The alarms were set for early that morning, with the plan of dropping Brian at a bus stop halfway back to La Selva, and then Carl and I continuing on through the mountains and to the rental car return. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.<br />
<br />
I have our final species count for the 6 days at 72. We had some overlap in species between La Selva and CRARC, but in our one marathon night at Finca Kubicki we saw 43 species! It was a great end to the trip.<br />
<br />
Brian made it back to La Selva safely the next day after we said our goodbyes. He would still have 5 more months in Costa Rica. Carl and I navigated the mountain passes without any delays from mudslides and got our car turned back in easily. I always try and choose to not lose a night by staying in San Jose the night prior to flights out, but it invites a certain amount of risk going through the mountains the morning of your departure. Luckily, this has not been an issue on my trips so far.<br />
<br />
The trip was a huge success. We got to visit Brian, get a feel for some of his research, and saw many of our targets. It was great to "get the gang back together". I hope we can continue to schedule trips every year or two as we have been doing. I am sure Costa Rica will be in our future again.<br />
<br />
BH<br />
<br />
You can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.Buckeyeherperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511804617379162369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629588904648960895.post-11297975238612705452015-02-09T22:32:00.001-05:002015-02-13T01:05:01.705-05:00Costa Rica 2014: Part 3 Breakfast Boas and finshing up La SelvaYou can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Carl and I slept in late this day, skipping breakfast. We woke up around 10 or 11 to a text or snapchat from Brian of a boa found in the rafters of the cafeteria. It was gone by lunch sadly. I have still yet to see a live boa in my Costa Rica trips. I hoped the pic had survived but it seems to have disappeared like the boa.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We joined Bri for lunch, and went on a short hike in the pouring rain that afternoon. I think we kept our cameras in our dry bags and didn't see much of anything. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After dinner, the rain had let up a bit. We set out for the night, serenaded by the calls of Fleischmann's Glass Frogs <i>Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni. </i>They could be heard calling almost every night from high up in the canopy, but were never low enough for us to see. A few <i>Teratohyla pulverata</i> were also calling, but we usually could only find one or two if lucky. A few new egg masses were again seen.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our first herp of the night was this toad. I believe it is a Wet Forest Toad <i>Incilius melanochlorus</i>, but may just be an odd looking Cane Toad <i>Rhinella marina.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/melanoticus_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/melanoticus_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i>
We saw some of the now usual subjects while hiking - <i>Craugastor bransfordii, Lithobates warschewitzii.</i> We also saw a few frogs with large heads. The males are pretty common throughout La Selva, and do have big heads. A female would be a true joy to find on this trip. They can be giant frogs, as <i>Craugastors</i> go that is.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/megaceph_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/megaceph_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite <i>Craugastors</i> - the Broad-headed Rain Frog <i>Craugastor megacephalus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This night we searched a different glass frog stream, in a different part of the reserve. The first stream we had been hunting previous nights was barely a trickle. This stream had deep water in areas and had some current. Upon arriving, the glass frogs were already calling.<br />
<br />
Stream Anoles <i>Norops oxylophus</i> were often noted to be sleeping in overhanging branches along this stream.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Noxylopus_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Noxylopus_.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Noxylopus_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Noxylopus_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
And evidence of previous glass frog romance were often found.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/glasseggs_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/glasseggs_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think these are <i>T. spinosa</i> eggs, laid on the underside of the leaf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/glasseggs_25jun14_2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/glasseggs_25jun14_2b.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think these are <i>E. prosoblepon</i> eggs as they are laid on the top of the leaf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, the <i>E. prosoblepon</i> were again out too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/prosoblepon_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/prosoblepon_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dreaded bullett ants were all over everything, every day, all the time. No one was shot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/bullet_25jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/bullet_25jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After finishing the stream transect, Brian was pretty tired, and decided to mostly book it back home. Carl and I took a more leisurely route back, hoping to turn up a snake or two. We did.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Snebulatus_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Snebulatus_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Snail-sucker <i>Sibon nebulatus</i><br />
This was found crossing the trail, and briefly repositioned for photos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Snebulatus_24jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Snebulatus_24jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/imantoides_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/imantoides_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blunthead Tree Snake<i> Imantodes cenchoa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/imantoides_25jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/imantoides_25jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Searching a swamp while half asleep turned up Olive Snouted Treefrogs <i>Scinax elaeochrous </i>and Hourglass Treefrogs <i>Dendropsophus ebracattus.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Selechroa_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Selechroa_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>The next day we decided to change locations slightly. Brian had developed a relationship with <a href="http://www.chilamaterainforest.com/">Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat</a>. We decided to head over there and spend a few hours hiking around on their trail system and try to explore the amphibian and reptile diversity. In a few short daytime hours we documented 8 frog and toads, as well as 4 lizards. Nothing new, but it was fun to explore some new trails.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbransfordii_26jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbransfordii_26jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing Striped <i>Craugastor bransfordii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dauratus_26jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dauratus_26jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dendrobates auratus</i> were more common than at La Selva.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This night was our last at La Selva. Brian had another transect to search so we headed back out for more glass frogging.<br />
<br />
A Smilisca was calling from a puddle in the lab clearing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/phaeota_26jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/phaeota_26jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Carl and I took our time hiking out, while Brian decided to truck it ahead and start the survey. We figured we would have a better chance of turning up some snakes walking a bit more slowly. Well no snakes for us... We did hear some frogs calling, and make a mental note to return and try to locate one of them. Upon arriving at the transect, Brian asked if we saw the huge Fer-de-lance on the trail. No... Evidently he left a long piece of flagging tape that said Bothrops on it. No... We must have been looking up? The snake was stretched out, so I am pretty sure it moved off the trail. But we also missed the red flagging tape. I doubt we both stepped over a meter long snake, but who knows?<br />
<br />
Brian had also already found a Sibon longifrenes too. Evidently our plan wasn't very successful (for the record, it had worked on other nights).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/longifrenes_26jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/longifrenes_26jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The glass frogs were again calling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/prosoblepon_26jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/prosoblepon_26jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Esparadana prosoblepon</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/prosoblepon_26jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/prosoblepon_26jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We searched the transect rather quickly, photographing less this night. After it was done we went back to search for the calling frogs from the trail.<br />
<br />
After quite a bit of triangulating, we finally spotted the culprit. They were buried in deep.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Lmelanotus_26jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Lmelanotus_26jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabinal Frog <i>Leptodactylus melanonotus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Lmelanotus_26jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Lmelanotus_26jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Moving forward again, we were just reaching the branch of the glass frog stream and hiking along it when I noticed a flash of color on the trail. Hot dog!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/alleni_26jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/alleni_26jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another <i>Micrurus alleni</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In our limited experience, the <i>alleni</i> seemed to like hunting along the smaller streams the glass frogs occupied. Brian was dreaming of the ugly <i>Hydromorphis concolor</i> in the streams, but this was a nice consolation.<br />
<br />
I photographed another <i>Craugastor bransfordii</i> for Brian.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbransfordii_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbransfordii_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But honestly, the highlight of the night was a very large adult female <i>Craugastor megacephalus</i>. This is a big head!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cmegaceph_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cmegaceph_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/megaceph_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/megaceph_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a look back at the male.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like most nights, after our hike we returned to the hangout spot near Brian's office for some good old biologist camaraderie. After a little while, someone asked if we saw the calcarifer hanging out in a plant in the lab clearing, about 20 yards away. No...<br />
<br />
One of my favorite frogs. the Splendid Leaf Frog <i>Cruziohyla calcarifer.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's so cool about this frog?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ccalcarifer_27jun14_1c.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next day we were moving locations for our last night. I think Carl and I again slept in, and packed up our things. We went for a short late morning hike just before lunch with the goal to photograph the wood turtles in the river. We had seen a few, but hadn't dedicated time to trying to stealthily get close for pictures.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Rfunerea_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Rfunerea_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black River Turtle <i>Rhinoclemmys funerea</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After lunch, I was talking with one of Brian's friends and he mentioned an "oropel" a little over a kilometer down one of the trails. Brian had headed to his room to get his bags, and the car was all packed... Carl and I readied our backpacks though and when Brian returned he was annoyed for a sec, but took the opportunity to get some work done in his office while we sprinted out. An oropel is the gold yellow morph of the eyelash viper, and one of Costa Rica's iconic herps. We really wanted to see one!<br />
<br />
Luckily it was just where it had been spotted earlier that morning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">golden <i>Bothriechis schlegelii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_1c.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_27jun14_1d.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And closer still. Super cool snake. It never moved a muscle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Carlos doing this thing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/carl_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/carl_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had started out clean and mostly showered.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got back fairly quickly as promised and got on the road. We had a couple hour drive from La Selva Biological Station to near Siquirres and the <a href="http://cramphibian.com/">Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center</a>, owned and operated by Brian Kubicki. See part four, as we saw quite a lot there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/laSelva_27jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/laSelva_27jun14_2a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye La Selva, until next time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
BH<br />
<br />
<br />
You can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.</div>
Buckeyeherperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511804617379162369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629588904648960895.post-35124154225650181172015-01-16T15:24:00.003-05:002015-02-13T01:05:18.420-05:00Costa Rica 2014: Part 2 More La Selva and Plenty of Glass FrogsYou can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.<br />
<br />
Carl and I set out on a short hike to look for lizards while Brian worked on his project. Carl managed to flip this racer checking under a piece of a fallen log.<br />
<br />
Another Dendrophidian sp (likely percarinatus?). This one was much larger than the snake last night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/dendrophidian_24jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/dendrophidian_24jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We saw many Central American Whiptails <i>Ameiva festiva</i> active around us. I even photographed a little one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ameiva_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ameiva_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We got decent looks at a Slaty-tailed Trogon? <i>Trogon massena</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/trogan_24Jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/trogan_24Jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
In a small clearing in the forest created by a tree fall, we spotted a Norops limifrons. It took some balance to photograph it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/carl_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/carl_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
We turned up a Tularan Robber Frog <i>Craugastor mimus.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/mimus_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/mimus_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
We joined Brian for a nice lunch and headed out to one of his study plots after. Unfortunately, it poured on us shortly after arriving. Nice reminder we are in a rain forest.<br />
<br />
Pug-nosed Anole <i>Norops capito</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ncapito_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ncapito_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
Limon Robber Frog<i> Pristimantis cerasinus</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
Litter Toad <i>Rhaebo haematicus</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Rhaebo_24Jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Rhaebo_24Jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
Brian finished up his plots and we headed back to dry out for the afternoon, recharge some batteries and get a nice hot meal. From here on Carl and I opted to drive to dinner. We were hiking significant distances from the lab clearing out into the forest, and managing our time for that. We also were enjoying a brew or three after returning back from our night hikes with other researchers. By the time we would set out on the long hike to our cabin from the lab clearing it would often be extremely late and night and our energy levels were on empty. We figured we could spend more time in the main forest and then get back to our cabin faster by car to turn in for the night.<br />
<br />
On the way to a froggy spot after the fall of night, we noticed one of the La Selva guards hanging out in the lab clearing. Brian jokingly asked him there was snake. He moved his flashlight and we saw this curled right by the path.<br />
<br />
Fer-de-lance Bothrops asper<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Basper_24Jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Basper_24Jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a hiked a way back, and turned off the main trail to head to our spot to search for the night. Right after turning, one of us noticed a small snake crawling between the feet of the first person. We had no idea what it was at first, which is usually a very exciting thing!<br />
<br />
Rugose Litter Snake <i>Nothopsis rugosus</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/rugosus_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/rugosus_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
The snake was really interesting to look at. Upon close examination, you could see tons of small scales along its head. It was a very different appearing snake.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/rugosus_24jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/rugosus_24jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
This night was starting off pretty darn good! I was very excited to be able to see and photograph more <i>Corytophanes</i>. Brian and I had only seen one in my first trip in 2010 and it was after my camera had died from the moisture. Carl also tends to be a big lizard fan, and it was a species we really wanted him to be able to see.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Corytophanes_24Jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Corytophanes_24Jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Helmeted Iguana <i>Corytophanes cristatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The frogs were out en masse.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS-GMEppJa7jvXylXV9eFuK3Al0qluxzgyef1RZds90EOcHVBjCK6gnLI6W51y5hfRs2n_sllZPM88kE0XmTMVA0VAc5nHssid4FIVzVfV4P_2s7Gi7GaAQDwU_NYVRSFWGxRThQUf80/s1600/Cfitz_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS-GMEppJa7jvXylXV9eFuK3Al0qluxzgyef1RZds90EOcHVBjCK6gnLI6W51y5hfRs2n_sllZPM88kE0XmTMVA0VAc5nHssid4FIVzVfV4P_2s7Gi7GaAQDwU_NYVRSFWGxRThQUf80/s1600/Cfitz_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fitzinger's Robber Frog <i>Craugastor fitzingeri</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After descending down, we had started working the start of the glassfrog stream. I was photographing a pretty neat frog when Brian called out that he had something we probably wanted to see. If we could find it. It took us a while to spot it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Eyelash Viper <i>Bothriechis schlegelii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a first for Carl and I, and we took many pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_24jun14_1d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eyelash_24jun14_1d.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I went back to photographing my frog. It wasn't nearly as cool anymore. It was a little <i>Pristmantis cruentas.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
But these guys are always cool. Warszewitsch's Frog <i>Lithobates warszewitschii</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/warsz_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/warsz_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And then the glass frogging began. We saw over 10 of these.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Spiny Cochran Frog<i> Teratohyla spinosa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And even a pair in amplexus<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_24jun14_2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_24jun14_2b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_24jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_24jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Emerald Glass Frogs <i>Espadarana prosoblepon </i>were also out and calling. We saw four of these tonight, as well as 1 amplectic pair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Prosoblepon_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Prosoblepon_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Prosoblepon_24jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Prosoblepon_24jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Prosoblepon_24jun14_2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Prosoblepon_24jun14_2b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hiking back to the start of the streams, Brian usually discussed other species he hoped would show up during his surveys. He mentioned he really wanted to see one of the water loving niche snakes, such as the Costa Rican Water Snake <i>Hydromorphus concolor </i>or the Orange-bellied Swamp Snake <i>Tretanorhinus nigroluteus. </i>I guess the crayfish biologist sometimes find them in similar streams during their surveys. Anyway, Brian was dreaming of future catches when Carl saw a flash of color and yelled "CORAL!!!" We all converged quickly and were elated to see a nice sized Allen's Coral Snake <i>Micrurus alleni. </i>It was very difficult to photograph.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/alleni_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/alleni_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/alleni_24jun14_1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/alleni_24jun14_1c.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The hike out we saw a Fer-de-lance <i>Bothrops asper. </i>I was unable to get pics, read on find out why.<br />
<br />
At this point, the humidity again got to my camera. Pardon my rant.<br />
<br />
When my Nikon D200 died in 2012 I had been awaiting a never announced Nikon D400 for years. It has still yet to arrive. Not fully committed to full frame, (I refuse to play your full frame upgrade game Nikon) I downgraded in some features to the Nikon D7000. It had much newer tech, a nice new sensor and fit my hand surprisingly better. It is a better camera just because of sensor technology in the many years that had passed. BUT, it does not have Nikon's pro weather sealing. Is it too much to ask for a pro-level crop DSLR with weather sealing Nikon? Clearly wildlife photography needs this. Canon has answered with the 7D and now 7D2 but Nikon continues to keep it's head in the sand. All along, knowing the type of use I would subject my camera to, this has been a concern. Well two years after purchasing, it crapped out. My concerns were realized. The camera became stuck in Liveview mode, and would also not take any pictures. I stuck it in a dry bag with silicon packets. Later that night after much troubleshooting, I figured out that if I popped the battery out while the camera was on, and then place the battery back in, the camera would be on but in an error mode. I could then press the shutter release, and the camera would function in normal mode, but now my LCD review would not work. I could shoot blind, similar to the dark ages of film, but without the instant review or histogram access. I was elated I could still shoot though! After a few hours of keeping the camera on in this mode, the LCD would start to work again, and I could review the pictures from hours earlier. If I turned the camera off at all, this whole process would start again. The trip was not ruined, but how long would it last like this?<br />
<br />
The rest of the hike out was fairly uneventful. We may have just been too exhausted to notice anything though. Our nightly ritual became convening in the lab clearing near Brian's office and shariing a brew (usually Pilsen) with other researchers on some hammocks and rocking chairs. We were doing this tonight when one of the girls started to walk back to her room. She yelled snake a few yards away and crossing the path we saw this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Oxyrophus_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Oxyrophus_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">False Coral Snake <i>Oxyrhopus petolarius </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Oxyrophus_24jun14_1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Oxyrophus_24jun14_1c.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We eventually called it a night and wearily stumbled to our car. On the short drive back to our cabin, Carl and I did roadcruise a new species for the trip though.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/rufi_25jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/rufi_25jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Canal Zone Treefrog <i>Hypsiboas rufitelus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What a couple days in the field... More to follow!<br />
<br />
BH<br />
<br />
You can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Buckeyeherperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511804617379162369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629588904648960895.post-19501922162125666762014-12-21T23:34:00.001-05:002015-02-13T01:05:37.460-05:00Costa Rica 2014: Part 1You can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
If you have read some past posts, you probably know that Carl and I try to get together for a trip once every year or two. Sometimes, it is just a long weekend, but usually we sneak away for a week or so. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
This year I wanted to do something before my son was born. Call it a "last hurrah" of sorts. My brother Brian was spending the year down in Costa Rica conducting his PhD research on leaf litter frogs and human parasites, so why not take advantage of that and join him?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div>
We visited near the end of June, 2014. The World Cup was in full swing and Brian had been there long enough to welcome visitors. Beckett was due in late August, and Carl had wrapped up his teaching responsibilities for the semester. It seemed like as good of a time as any to make the trek.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We chose to limit our travel and mostly stay on site at La Selva Biological Station where Brian was working. We looked into visiting an ecolodge or ecoresort later in the week for a few days, but ended up camping out at La Selva due to the cheap cost and ease of it all. We did commit to a night at another site on the last day, which was a nice change of pace.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I flew in a day earlier than Carl, sorted out the rental car, and fought my way through the back roads to La Selva. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/LaSelva_27jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/LaSelva_27jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">La Selva Biological Station was our home for the week.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I settled in, grabbed dinner and met some of Brian's friends. I was eager to hit the field though, and shortly after night fell, Brian and I headed to a stream he thought would harbor glass frogs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Right outside his office I noticed this Masked Treefrog, <i>Smilisca phaeota</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/phaeota_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/phaeota_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We set out on the trails and quickly were seeing many of the typical subjects. We flipped this sleeping Central American Whiptail <i>Ameiva festiva.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/ameiva_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/ameiva_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was elated to spot one of this frogs though, something I had missed four years ago.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/warsz_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/warsz_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Warszewitsch's Frog <i>Rana warszewitschii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/fitzingeri_22jan14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/fitzingeri_22jan14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Almirante Robber Frog <i>Craugastor talamancae</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Almirante Robber Frog <i>Craugastor talamancae</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_22jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcerasinus_22jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Almirante Robber Frog <i>Craugastor talamancae</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We were working our way to our destination, a nice first order stream, when Brian spotted two really stinking cool lizards in the trees.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/corytophanes_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/corytophanes_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Casque-headed Lizard <i>Corytophanes cristatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Shortly after arriving in the stream, Brian found one of our targets, the Spiny Cochran Frog <i>Teratohyla spinosa. </i>We would see 12 of these frogs this night, and hear many more calling.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
More spinosa.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_22jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_22jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_22jun14_3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Tspinosa_22jun14_3a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
We also saw one Emerald Glass Frog <i>Espadarana prosoblepon.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cprosoblepon_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cprosoblepon_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pcruentas_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Chirriqui Robber Frog <i>Pristimantis cruentus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I was photographing a glass frog and looked up to see this cool snake moving through a tree.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Slongifrenes_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Slongifrenes_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Stejneger's Snail Sucker <i>Sibon longifrenis</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We saw a couple Cat-eyed Snakes, a large Fer-de-lance and various frogs on the hike back out. A nice first night!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the second day we got up early to head back into San Jose and pick up Carl from the airport. Both trips into town and back out went without any major issues. We were soon showing Carl around La Selva and photographing the "common" stuff. Carl and I were housed a little farther off site in a row of cabins that were more tradition "rooms" with private bathrooms. Brian had a cabin to himself most of the year, but did share a bathroom. I forgot the name of our cabins now... It was cool because it forced you to walk 3/4 of a mile to and from the main cafeteria and lab clearing and you ended up herping/birding more. After two days of hiking our asses off and essentially stumbling into the lab clearing very late at night, we started driving to and from the cafeteria. "Lazy" Gringos!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After settling in, we headed to la comedor (dining room) for lunch. We took our time on the walk in and kept our cameras out for some of the daytime animals that were out and about.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/pumilio_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/pumilio_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Strawberry Poison Dar Frog <i>Oophaga pumilio</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ncarpenteri_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Ncarpenteri_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Neotropical Green Anole <i>Norops biporcatus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Mmelanonomus_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Mmelanonomus_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">a young Salmon-bellied Racer <i>Mastigodryas melanonomus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Nsebae_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Nsebae_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Redback Coffee Snake <i>Ninia sebae</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/noblei_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/noblei_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Noble's Robber Frog <i>Craugaster noblei</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We then set out to a few of Brian's study plots. A very quick and dirty version is that Brian marked out study plots under different species of trees and then counted as many reptiles and amphibians, and mark and recaptured them, throughout his plots, all year long. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of Brian's favorite dirt frog, Bransford's Robber Frog <i>Craugastor bransfordii</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbrandsfordii_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbrandsfordii_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This frog is pretty variable in coloration. Brian asked me to try and photograph a few of the different morphs for him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbrandsfordii_23jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cbrandsfordii_23jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These eggs were in one of Bri's plots. Not sure what they are?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eggs_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eggs_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While exploring along a stream we came across this Green and Black Poison Dart Frog, <i>Dendrobates auratus.</i> These seem to have an expanding range at La Selva.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dauratus_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dauratus_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Imelanoticus_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Imelanoticus_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Wet Forest Toad <i>Bufo melanochlorus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We hiked up on a swamp that had two calls in an active chorus. One of the frogs was an unIDd Smilisca species. The other was a large breeding congregation of Southern Narrow-mouth Toads <i>Gastrophryne pictiventris</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Gpictriventris_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Gpictriventris_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/gpictriventris_23jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/gpictriventris_23jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We headed back in to charge our batteries, and enjoy a hot meal. After dusk fell we headed back out to the swamp. On the hike in we walked right under this trogon. I believe it is a Black-throated Trogon <i>Trogon rufus</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/trogan_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/trogan_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The swamp was alive with activity. We saw a number Olive Snouted Treefrogs <i>Scinax elaeochrous.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Selechroa_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Selechroa_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
There was lots of evidence of recent breeding activity, as seen by recent egg masses of Costa Rica's charismatic Red-eyed Treefrogs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Agalychniseggs_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Agalychniseggs_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Red-eyed Treefrog <i>Agalychnis callidryas</i> eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Agalychniseggs_23jun14_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Agalychniseggs_23jun14_1b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cfitzingeri_23jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cfitzingeri_23jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fitzinger's Robber Frog <i>Craugastor fitzingeri</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dphlebodes_23Jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dphlebodes_23Jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">San Carlos Treefrog <i>Dendropsophus phlebodes</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eggs_23jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/eggs_23jun14_2a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">More unIDd eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Brian turned in for the night, but Carl and I headed to another swamp.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
More Scinax were out and about.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Selechroa_23jun14_2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Selechroa_23jun14_2a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
as well as both Agalychnis callidryas and Agalychnis saltator.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Acallidryas_24jun14_3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Acallidryas_24jun14_3b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Red-eyed Treefrog <i>Agalychnis callidryas</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Acallidryas_23jun14_3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Acallidryas_23jun14_3b.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also saw another Sibon longifrenes, caimen, green basalisk and the hourglass treefrog. We were pretty gassed and it was getting very late so we started the long trek back to the lab clearing, then the comedor, then hike back to our room. It wasn't totally wasted, although we could barely keep one foot going in front of the other.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cpulverata_22jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Cpulverata_22jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Powdered Glass Frog <i>Teratohyla pulverata</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pulverataeggs_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Pulverataeggs_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pulveratta eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also spotted this snake sleeping along the trailside.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dendrophidian_24jun14_1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.buckeyeherps.com/images/Costa%20Rica%2014/Dendrophidian_24jun14_1a.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Dendrophidian sp, likely percarinatus?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We stumbled back to our rooms, showered, tried to clean equipment and eventually made it to bed. It was extremely late at this time, and if you can imagine, we had a hard time making breakfast in the morning.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will leave you here for now. More to come in the future!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
BH</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can see <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2014/12/costa-rica-2014-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/01/costa-rica-part-2-more-la-selva-and.html">Part 2</a>, <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-3-breakfast-boas.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://buckeyeherps.blogspot.com/2015/02/costa-rica-2014-part-4-finca-kubicki.html">Part 4</a> here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Buckeyeherperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511804617379162369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629588904648960895.post-53688894862271518342014-12-20T00:42:00.000-05:002014-12-20T00:42:06.376-05:00Where does time go?I can't believe I haven't updated the blog since spring. Well, actually I can totally believe it. It was a busy year and I just find myself spending less time on-line and on social media. I read less blogs, and in turn have less interest in blogging myself. August also brought the arrival of my first child. Life has changed for the good, and my little man Beckett is very good.<br />
<br />
This is not farewell, I just will likely use the blog for big trips when I get around to writing them up. The good news is Carl, Brian and I had an awesome time in Costa Rica last June. Photos to come shortly.<br />
<br />
Be safe out there,<br />
<br />BHBuckeyeherperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04511804617379162369noreply@blogger.com0