The best gift I received this year came unexpectedly. Richard and I were on our way back from Manuel Antonio and stopped at a roadside cafe along the coast near Carara Biological Preserve. Now I'd been to Carara two other times specifically to see the scarlet macaws, a magnificent bird that once thrived here in Costa Rica and is now near extinction. On my first visit I came up empty sighted. On the second (with Barb and Jim) we saw one macaw and with our guide's help managed to get this picture before it flew off deeper into the park.
But on this December day as Richard and I walked back to the car after having coffee I saw a couple large bright birds land in the palm tree just a few feet from where we stood. "Hey, look at those big parrots." I said to him, not even thinking about what we were seeing. One of the pair was slightly hidden by the palm fronds, but the other was clearly visible, the sunlight causing his bright red, blue & yellow plumage to glisten like precious jewels. He squawked loudly and then he and his mate flew over our heads displaying an expansive wing spread and length close to three feet. It was the long, forked tail that made me realize we were seeing a pair of macaws, a rare sight in this country where they once filled the skies.
Carara National Park is the home of around 40 pairs of these birds, a population they hope will grow larger. We had the good fortune to see this pair as they ventured out of the park to the nearby beach. I wish I could send you a picture of them in flight, it is an awe-inspiring sight.
What I hope to share is the sense of wonder that came to me in viewing these magnificent and beautiful birds.

Mary