#CostaRica🌿
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mikemelton.bsky.social
A male Green Honeycreeper alert in the rain at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
A small, vivid turquoise bird clinging to a dark branch. It has a jet-black head, a bright yellow bill, and striking red eyes.
May 6, 2025 at 3:03 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
I warned you that I have a problem.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge #CostaRica

#birds #hummingbirds #nature 🌿
A small bird perched on a branch, displaying brilliant iridescent plumage that shifts from green to turquoise, with flashes of fiery orange on the throat and a deep blue crown.
May 12, 2025 at 1:07 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Cream-spotted Tigerwing from this morning at @tapirvalley.bsky.social

#butterflies #costarica #nature 🌿
A butterfly perched delicately on a purple flower. Its wings display vivid orange coloration with bold black sections and distinctive white spots.
May 9, 2025 at 11:13 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Orange-collared Manakin, Osa Peninsula #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
A small bird with vivid yellow and orange plumage and a glossy black cap perches on a branch, set against a softly blurred background in neutral tones.
April 24, 2025 at 3:56 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
I love these too much. I just can't help myself with photographing them.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird at Batsu Gardens, San Gerardo de Dota #CostaRica

#birds #hummingbirds #nature 🌿
A small bird with shimmering green, blue, and golden feathers, a dark head, and a slender black beak perched on a light brown branch against a softly blurred background.
May 1, 2025 at 4:43 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Fiery-throated Hummingbird trying to dry out at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
A small bird with shimmering green and blue feathers spreads its tail and lifts its beak upward while perched on a branch, surrounded by a soft, rainy green background.
April 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
A male White-throated Mountain-Gem keeping an eye on his competitors. At Batsu Gardens, San Gerardo de Dota #CostaRica

#hummingbirds #birds #nature 🌿
May 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Hercules Skimmer dragonfly from this morning at @tapirvalley.bsky.social

#bugsky #dragonflies #nature #costarica 🌿
A dragonfly with a vivid red body and transparent wings perched on the tip of a green and brown plant stem against a warm, blurred background.
May 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
This male Snowcap was getting ready for bed last night at @tapirvalley.bsky.social. Very low light, but he was very relaxed.

#birds #hummingbirds #costarica #nature 🌿
A small bird with deep magenta plumage and a striking white crown is perched on a slender branch against a smooth green background.
May 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
A lovely Giant Parrot Snake in the forest near my house last night. These are only mildly venomous and harmless to humans. But if you're a frog...

At @casabentbill.bsky.social

#snakes #reptiles #costarica 🌿🐍
May 8, 2025 at 10:22 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Such characters (like all corvids), you can always tell there's a flock of White-throated Magpie-Jays in the neighborhood.

#CostaRica #birds #nature 🌿
A striking bird with a tall crest, pale underparts, and blue wings perches on a branch, gazing forward with its beak slightly open.
May 17, 2025 at 12:57 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
A frisky Fiery-throated Hummingbird at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
A small bird with a vivid mix of iridescent green, blue, and purple feathers and a slightly curved red-tipped bill perches upright on a lichen-covered branch against a soft green background.
April 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
I found this very cool weevil in the forest at @tapirvalley.bsky.social this morning.

#bugsky #nature #weevils #costarica 🌿
A small beetle with a long, curved snout stands on the edge of a green leaf, its body covered in mottled brown and yellow patterns.
May 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
A freshly-molted Zammara smaragdina cicada in the forest near my house at @casabentbill.bsky.social #CostaRica

#nature #bugsky 🌿
A vibrant insect with translucent wings, bright green and blue body, and large dark eyes clings to a mossy tree trunk, freshly emerged from its brown exoskeleton behind it.
April 25, 2025 at 4:35 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Not a bad morning here at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge #CostaRica

This male Resplendent Quetzal was checking out the area before he delivered breakfast to the nestlings.

#birds #nature 🌿
A vibrantly colored bird with a bright green head, red belly, and extremely long, flowing tail feathers perched on a mossy branch, holding a dark fruit in its yellow beak.
May 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Here's the lovely song of the Olive-crowned Yellowthroat at @tapirvalley.bsky.social

Often, I'll find these birds perched right next to the trail at sunrise, singing their little hearts out for me. They really need to let everyone know where their territory is.

#birds #nature #costarica 🌿
May 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
A dramatic Black-striped Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus) that I photographed near Corcovado National Park #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
A slender bird clinging upright to a pale tree trunk. It has a long, slightly curved bill, a speckled white-and-brown throat, and rich reddish-brown body feathers.
May 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Male White-collared Manakin at @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
A small, plump bird perched on a narrow mossy branch. It has a bright yellow belly, olive-green back, crisp white collar, and a black cap on its head.
May 6, 2025 at 4:57 AM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Resplendent Quetzal #CostaRica

#birds #nature 🌿
Stunning jewel-toned bird perched on a lichen-covered branch, showcasing brilliant emerald green plumage with hints of burgundy. Its striking blue-green crest stands tall above an alert black eye and bright orange-yellow beak. The elegant long tail feathers cascade downward, displaying layers of iridescent green with dark tips. Soft moss and delicate tropical foliage surround this magnificent creature, creating a serene natural setting that highlights its extraordinary colors.
April 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
We're at the very end of the dry season here in this part of Costa Rica and there are #butterflies everywhere at @tapirvalley.bsky.social

This is a Deep-Blue Eyed-Metalmark, a less-common and beautiful butterfly here.

#costarica #bugsky 🌿
A butterfly perched on a vibrant green leaf. It has wings that are brilliant metallic blue with striking black edges and an eye-like marking.
May 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Another great bird of Costa Rica, this is a White-collared Manakin snapping his wings to attract the ladies at @casabentbill.bsky.social #CostaRica

For about half the year, the forest around my house is full of the sound of these birds displaying.

#birds #nature 🌿
April 29, 2025 at 3:43 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
I've only seen the Bare-necked Umbrellabird twice, both times in the forest at @tapirvalley.bsky.social. It's always a fun treat.

#birds #costarica #nature 🌿
A large, glossy black bird perched on a mossy branch. It has a thick, arched crest on its head and a bare, bright red, wrinkled throat patch.
May 6, 2025 at 3:29 AM
motherflicker.bsky.social
For #birdoftheday theme #EFG, a Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) at sunrise, Volcan Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica, December 2025.

🌿🪶 #birds
#birding
#wildlife
#photography
#costarica
#tanagers
September 29, 2026 at 12:29 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
Ringed Tortoise Beetle (Ischnocodia annulus)

These are super common around the house at @casabentbill.bsky.social. Such beautiful little gems.

#bugsky #costarica #nature 🌿
A small, shiny beetle resting on a green leaf. It has a transparent outer shell, bold black markings, and bright yellow-gold edges.
May 2, 2025 at 10:26 PM
mikemelton.bsky.social
This young male Snowcap is developing his adult feathers quite nicely and he's even starting to get his white cap here.

At @tapirvalley.bsky.social #CostaRica

#birds #hummingbirds #nature 🌿
A small bird with mottled white and reddish plumage, a greenish crown, and a tiny white spot on its head is perched on a thin, pale branch against a smooth green background.
May 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM