Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
We woke up today within a very calm bay inside the Sweet Gulf or Golfo Dulce in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica. This was the first official opportunity to try our kayaks. These sit-on vessels are virtually impossible to tip over and very easy to handle. Designed for two persons, they are the perfect way to explore the riverbanks and the dense mangrove roots where ruddy turnstones, snowy egrets, whimbrels, willets, green backed herons, spotted sandpipers and many other species of birds blend in with the sandbanks and are almost impossible to spot otherwise.
While couples in kayaks combed the edges of the mangrove forests, most of us took long Zodiac rides up the Rincon River. Tidal dependant, the river opened its various secrets to us: red, black, white, and ti mangrove trees, Jesus Christ lizards, mangrove black hawk, chestnut mandibles toucans, roadside hawks, and the two highlights of the morning: roseate spoonbills and a yellow-billed cotinga.
A small group chose to walk along a long gravel road hoping to spot new species of birds. Rewarded with king vultures, white hawks, a white necked puff bird, shining, red-legged and green honey creeper, our walkers came back with great smiles and pink cheeks.
Back on board for lunch, a nap, and a lecture, we tried to beat the heat of the day by disembarking late in the afternoon, it didn’t work! The wonderful gardens at “Casa Orquideas” – or the orchid house – made all of us forget the heat. After sampling “real bananas”, star fruits, lemons and limes and the amazing miracle fruit, we were all ready to go back home, to our faithful vessel, and begin our journey towards Panama waters.
