by Todd Gustafson

6:00 AM and the toucans are in again! At least ten Chestnut-mandibled Toucans were joined momentarily by two shy Collared Aracari Toucanettes! Blue-grey and Palm Tanagers were mixed with Summer Tanagers and a jewel-like Red-legged Honeycreeper. It was hard to leave but we had to drive to Tortuguero, the next stop on our adventure.

A two hour drive followed by an hour and a half boat ride got us to our lodge in the heart of the Caribbean wetlands. Our afternoon boat ride gave us great chances at more toucans, Bare-throated Tiger Herons, and kingfishers.

The afternoon ended with a hike on a Caribbean beach. Our guide told us to leave the big lenses on the boat and bring only macro and wide angle lenses. As we walked the black sand beach we saw some movement…a tiny turtle making its way to the sea. Yehudi said it was probably the last of a nest of hatchlings.  Walking further down the beach we found a nest that had baby turtles simply spilling out of it. We each chose a turtle to follow as it made a mad dash to the ocean. A life moment if there ever was one. It was a hard choice as to which lens to use. I started with macro, changed to video and ended with fish-eye wide angle shots of my turtle heading for its 15 year life at sea. He looked strong. I’m sure he’ll make it.

People on the tour were asking if it can get any better than this. I’m not sure if it can.

After dinner we had a night walk on raised walkways through the flooded old growth forest. There were a few frogs, lizards and moths to photograph but the highlight was a two-toed sloth with a baby. She was climbing around at eye level through a Cecropea tree looking for a comfortable place to sleep. The coolest was when she turned upside down and looked at us; the baby holding on the whole time.

BTW, when I wrote about the five foot boa constrictor from yesterday I didn't mention how he woke up and started to slither up the tree. I sort of coaxed him into a dramatic position on the tree. He knew who had done that, so every time I came near him for a shot he made a hiss just before making a lightning fast strike at me. He had about a 20” strike range and I happened to be about 22” away from him. This story is going to keep growing, but Luis and Yehudi have me jumping backwards five feet and screaming like a schoolgirl. Every time they tell the story the voice gets higher and the movements more effeminate. Seriously, I’m the one who risked life and limb to keep this 18 foot long bad ass snake on the set! Jeez!

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