We stayed at the Canopy Tower from June 3-9, 2006, & found it to be a wonderful time of year to visit.

It's the "green season", so there was a bit of rain, but not enough to cancel any of the offered tours. It mostly rained at night, which was nice. The main reason we chose this time of year, besides the lower price, was the fact that all of the migratory birds from North America are gone by then. Not having to sort through all of "our birds" made finding the Central American species much easier. We actually saw most of our target birds!

The guiding skills of Jose, Carlos & Josecito made finding these beautiful birds relatively easy. Not only do they know the calls & songs, but they can imitate most of them, which allowed for some very good views. A few highlights were: A very confiding Great Tinamou on lower Pipeline Rd, feeding right out in the open on some fallen fruit, with a Little Tinamou feeding a few feet away in the grass; A 20 minute look at a Streak-Chested Antpitta, singing his little heart out from on top of a small fallen log; 5 species of Trogon on upper Pipeline Rd; Great looks at Crimson Crested Woodpecker; likewise the wren-that-looks-like-an-antbird: Song Wren. What an interesting bird! Oh, & don't forget that quirky Brownish Flycatcher, whose previous name is much more fitting: Twistwing!

We spent June 9-12 at Raul's newest place, the Canopy Lodge, & it was very comfortable & luxurious. The hummingbird garden is one of the most active that we have seen in Central America. Highlights were: Rufous-breasted Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Garden Emerald, Violet-Crowned Woodnymph and Snowy-bellied Hummingbird.

The road running in front of the entrance to the lodge had raptors such as White Hawk and incredibly a perched Black Hawk-Eagle observed from maybe 100 ft! Amongst other birds observed on the road were, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Yellow-margined Flycatcher, White-thighed Swallow, Black-chested Jay and Dusky-faced, Tawny-crested, Yellow-rumped and Bay-headed Tanagers.

Many trips outside the lodge were included. We birded La Mesa Road where we saw Swallow-tailed Kite, Barred Hawk, Brown-hooded Parrot, Blue-throated Toucanet Plain Xenops and many other birds. Later we birded Cariguana Road in El Valle town which held for us: Lance-tailed Manakin and Rufous and White Wren.

Another day we went up the trail at Cerro Gaital for Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, White-throated Spadebill, Pale-vented Thrush and the elusive but seen Tawny-faced Gnatwren. Our last day was spent at Altos Del Maria, in the cloud forest, that revealed Orange-bellied Trogon, White-ruffed Manakin, Rufous-browed Tyranulet and the well earned and striking Black-crowned Antpitta!

Many thanks for helping us see these beautiful and sometimes difficult birds goes to our guide, the irrepressible JOSECITO! My wife and I, Howard King and Bob Beckler, are your biggest fans. WE WILL BE BACK!

We also wish to thank Raul and Denise Arias for their hospitality, the chefs for the fine food, the guides and every-one who works for and with the Arias'.

WE WILL BE BACK!,

Thank you so very much!