Esther's photos

Juvenile black-crowned night heron at Cano Negro, Costa Rica. Black crowned night herons are found throughout the world. They can be found standing still at the water's edge waiting to ambush prey, mainly at night or early morning. Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, small mammals and small birds. During the day they can be seen in trees or bushes. AxMG_2375

This is not quite as sharp as I would have liked, but it was shot from a boat in marginal light. Spectacled caiman at Cano Negro, Costa Rica. The Spectacled caiman lives in lowland wetland and riverine habitats in fresh and salt water. Males tend to be 6 - 8 feet long while females grow to almost 5 feet. They can be identified by the bony ridge between the eyes, which looks like they are wearing spectacles. AxMG_2367

Female Anhinga flying over Cano Negro, Costa Rica. The word "anhinga" derives from the Brazilian Tupi language and means devil bird or snake bird. They are diving birds and when swimming, only their curved neck is above water - hence the nickname, "snake bird." Their feathers are not waterproof and they often perch in the sun to dry them. AxMG_2322

Black vultures at Cano Negro, Costa Rica. Black vultures are gregarious scavengers that primarily feed on carrion, but will also eat eggs or kill small newborn animals. It often perches with its wings outstretched. Its stance is believed to serve multiple functions: drying off wings, warming itself, and heating off bacteria. AxMG_2354

Spectacled caiman at Cano Negro, Costa Rica. The Spectacled caiman lives in lowland wetland and riverine habitats in fresh and salt water. Males tend to be 6 - 8 feet long while females grow to almost 5 feet. They can be identified by the bony ridge between the eyes, which looks like they are wearing spectacles. AxMG_2331

Boat billed heron at Cano Negro, Costa Rica. The boat- billed heron is a nocturnal bird that lives in mangrove swamps. AxMG_2349

Big Apple Circus - 2011 AIMG_1258

Big Apple Circus - 2011 AIMG_1254

Great blue heron at Cano Negro, Costa Rica ODT: Begins with H AxMG_2281