New species #82: The Magnificent Frigatebird

            On my last morning in Costa Rica, I got up early and headed off to an isolated lava rock cliff to just sit and thank God for blessing me so. As I climbed clumsily over the boulders there were small pockets of sand with shorebirds, lizards, hermit crabs and spiders. This combination kept me exploring for much longer than my stored energy allowed.

While taking a break from the climb, I noted a small flock of frigatebirds gliding effortlessly over the bay. As they rode the thermals, I could see that if they did not break pattern, they could be very close soon. I decided to find a comfortable spot (somewhat difficult on lava rock) and wait. 

Just as I decided that it was time to attempt a shot, four of the five birds broke pattern and headed up the coast. As blessings go, just one remained, this female who may well have been curious about seeing the biggest rock-climbing human she had ever seen…granting me this near head on shot.

No wildlife was harmed in capturing this shot, but both my right leg and lens hood received pretty good scrapes. The leg healed in a week or so, but the lava rock scratch on my lens hood still remains as a reminder of that morning…and is now treasured!

Lava rock adventure before dementia!

Taken on: May 8, 2024

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