“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order”. – John Burroughs
By my fifth day in the Osa Peninsula, I was finally beginning to fall into a rhythm. My rusty Spanish was improving and I could comprehend more. My body had adjusted to the high humidity and heat of the jungle, and I naturally began rising at dawn with the morning sun and singing of the birds. My soul was relaxed, and I finally felt peaceful and free. Sadly I only had three more days left of my epic adventure yet I was determined to make these three days as fantastic as possible.
There is something about a Costa Rican breakfast that makes me smile. It is almost always the same: Gallo Pinto. Black beans and rice from the meal the evening before, stir-fried with the magic Costa Rican sauce Lizano and then topped with queso crema, a homemade sour cream that has a tangy taste to it and complements the dish well. There may be a slight variation to the morning meal that includes scrambled eggs, freshly made tortillas, fruit or fried plantains. But the gallo pinto are always available and after my week in Costa Rica I grew to love it.
My incredible breakfast
For today’s tour, we would meet Carlos Villalobos at his family property in Rancho Quemado for a birdwatching canoe ride on “Laguna Chocuaco” their private rainforest lagoon. We said our goodbyes to our friends Alice and Enrique at Rancho Verde and were on our way.
Their property includes a farm with livestock (pigs, chickens, cows and horses), a vast pasture and field for growing trees and produce, a dormitory for tourists to stay in, and a large open-air eating area for home-cooked Costa Rican meals.
When we arrived at the ranch, Carlos’ brother was milking the cows and getting ready to lead them out to the pasture. We had a brief tour of the farm and then headed out to the pasture where Carlos showed us some of the trees that they raise at the family farm.
While many farmers cut down all the trees so there is more pasture for the livestock to graze on, Carlos and his family believe it is important to keep the trees for various reasons. The trees provide shade for the animals on the hot, humid days and fruit for the birds and to sell at the market. Lots of birds like toucans rely on the seeds and flowers off the tops of the trees for their diets. The trees also provide a lot of natural beauty to the landscape and a place for birds to nest in. The property has over 40 species of birds in which 20 species live along the low growing trees and bushes along the lagoon.
A toucan
We spent about half an hour exploring the trees and then headed along a wooded pathway to the lagoon for our canoe ride. The lagoon is named after the Chocuaco bird which is native to this part of Costa Rica. There are over two dozen birds that reside along the jungle sanctuary of the lagoon and make it their home.
We reached the lagoon a little before noon, and it was so peaceful. There were birds singing and off in the distance at the edge of the jungle I could hear the infamous roar of the howler monkeys. It was quite an extraordinary place. I couldn’t stop taking photos as it was so immensely beautiful.
Carlos pushes the canoe into the water
And we are off!
We were extremely fortunate to see a ton of Chocuacos. Carlos had never seen so many on a tour before and was a bit surprised at our luck especially since we had initially planned on getting out much earlier in the morning.
As we slowly glided across the calm waters of the lagoon, the clouds began to come in threatening rain. It was time to turn back. It would be hard to forget such a beautiful, mystical place.
What a day it had been. Now I wish so much I could jump back into this picture, into this one moment in time and be there. To feel so utterly relaxed and at peace with nature is a truly beautiful gift.
Wow! Those reflections of the sky are breathtaking.
Thank you! These happen to be some of my favorite pictures from the trip. I loved the reflections too. 🙂
How beautiful and I was happy to read about how they’re taking care of the trees and their property. That’s wonderful.
janet
Thank you Janet! I loved the property. It was so beautiful.
Thanks for your moments of tranquility…another memorable experience for you to savor.
Thank you Sally! I loved the reflections in the water and the birds. It was very beautiful.
gorgeous pictures- especially the ones with the sky!
Thank you so much! 🙂
What an enjoyable adventure! Great captures. Thank you for sharing, Nicole!
Thanks Amy!
The beauty of Costa Rica is no less than a heaven. great pictures, Nicole!
Thank you Arv! It is a beautiful place.
You’re lucky Nicole to be able to experience this heaven. And we’re lucky to have this virtual trip. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed Arv! 🙂
Absolutely Nicole 🙂
🙂
The peace and serenity of this place oozes out of our article and photos Nicole. Wonderful captures of the birds and love the reflections in the water.
Thank you Sue! I love Costa Rica. I’m getting excited to head back with the kids for Spring Break. Our first big family trip. 🙂
very good. I liked it so much
Thank you!
Very good👌👌
Thank you!
Cok guzel. Guzel ve degisik yerleri gezmek her zaman pozitif enerji verir insana. Cokta guzel anlatmissiniz gezinizi tebrikler begendim.
Thanks so much! Just translated your comment into English. Appreciate it!
Hello Nicole!
I can feel the tranquility as if I were there… it would have been amazing seeing the variety of birds and there is more ‘human life’ in a jungle than I would have imagined. Another beautiful post my friend 🌟🌟💕
Thanks Di! It was such a magical place and no one was there except us. These are some of my favorite pictures too from the trip as I loved how the clouds reflected on the water. 😌
Wonderful! And thank you for opening up a part of the world to me that I’ve never considered before, Nicole. Not long until another adventure for you with your family 🌹🌟
So glad you enjoyed it Di! Central America is probably pretty far for you! I’ve been to Australia and it took so long to get there but I loved it so much. A beautiful country! 🙂
Inspirierende Aufnahmen! Sehr schön…
Danke! Thank you!
Oh this reminded me so much of out time in the Amazon! We saw a walking tree there too, but no toucans. Instead we saw hoatzin birds. What a day you had in that beautiful place. That photo fourth from the bottom is gorgeous, and the chocuacos are wonderful.
Alison
I would love to go to the Amazon someday Alison. So many places I want to see!
Yes me too 🙂
What an adventure you are in! I have always loved padling among mangroves and in lagoons, and Chocuaco looks like a treat. Thanks for sharing. As always gorgeous photos.
Thanks Otto! 🙂
Breathtaking pictures! Wish I were there! Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks! Wish I was there too again! 🙂
Your photos are phenomenal! I almost felt like I was gliding along that lagoon with you.
Thanks LuAnn! It was really a remarkable place. So incredibly beautiful.
I be living there soon
😊
Wonderful!