We are a little surprised that the howler monkeys are still around...  they spent the morning lounging and nibbling leaves.  One came over to check out our bedroom patio, leaving behind a nasty momento and greatly ruffling the dog's composure, but otherwise innocuous.

Eventually we cruised next door to watch from our neighbor's better vantage point and had a great time inventing stories to describe the troop's behavior.   Of the 13 monkeys, we think that we identified the alpha male- other than his absurdly large and dangly bits, we also figured that his general attitude could only be described as "in charge".  There is an infant that was being cared for by what we think is an "aunt", because one of the other females looks much more like a nursing mother with a still-distended belly that could be from a recent birth.

When the "aunt" tried to hand the baby over to the female that we think is the mother, "mom" scurried away and went back to sleep, covering her bosom.   Her actions left us wondering what could be going on.

There was a minor tussle at one point, with one monkey walking up to another who was feeding and giving her a good verbal dressing-down.  The 'victim' ran off to a third monkey, who then went over to the first monkey and told her off.  In the mean time a male moved in between the first two and sat there scratching his butt, perhaps to say "Hey, you two.... settle down."  At least that is how we imagined the conversation to have gone.

Perhaps the most notable part was that a single male was sitting lower and apart from everyone else, once in a while the two other males would hoot and grunt in his general direction, at which point he would look away with what we imagined was a very sad look on his face.  We think that maybe he was either getting cut out of the troop or perhaps just failing to join.  Hard to tell.  As the day wore on he was further from the rest and around midday he seemed to have left to go off on his own.  Such drama.

Labels: Costa Rica, dog, garden, monkey, photo, tamarindo

While I'm betting that the iggies are likely to gobble this guy before it ever really grows, I'm happy to see that some jalapeñ0 seeds that I planted are coming up.
If the first one gets gobbled, I'll come up with a way to protect the other two or three that are just starting to come up.
Simple times=simple pleasures.

Labels: garden, photo

As a novice gardener, I'm frequently impressed much more than I "should" be by simple things. I've been reading up on foliar fertilization and thought to give it a go a little while back. Using 10-10-10 fertilizer seemed to encourage growth, but with changing seasons it can be tough to credit the fertilizer vs. the "rainy" season (that hasn't had much rain).

So I got some "Ever-Green" organic fertilizer and mixed up a dilute solution of 10-50-30 to see if we could get some super-flowers. That was about three weeks ago.

While it is true that there are now more blossoms than there were before, I'm pretty sure that we also had some of these plants blooming last year at this time of year (though not all). Did the fertilizer do it? I don't think it hurt, so we'll likely use it again. Heavily diluted organic fertilizer is unlikely to hurt my garden so if it made even two or three more blooms than not using it, that's good enough for me. Besides, getting out and spraying the foliar fertilizer is a relatively pleasant way to walk around the yard and look at stuff.

Labels: garden, photo, tamarindo, weather

Thanks Rain!

I am happy to have a second day in a row with rain. I'm sure that I'll be biting my tongue in another month when the cats and dogs are falling, but I heard yesterday that this area is suffering the driest August/September in the last 70 (seventy!!) years. It has been awfully pleasant from a "spending time outdoors" perspective, but any extreme weather event has got to have some lasting repercussions on local wildlife. I know that our garden has been suffering, despite my half-hearted attempts to water -I just can't bring myself to water extensively in the "rainy" season and I haven't fixed our sprinklers yet- so I can only imagine what the effect has been on larger wild trees and plants and animals.

Unfortunately for me, the rain interrupted a little afternoon photo session. Ah well. Back inside to work.

"Coral Vine", Antigonum leptopus.
Growing nicely up the wall of the living room ---------------->

Labels: Costa Rica, garden, photo, tamarindo, weather

Wind Chime on "verenera" over pool.
basil, odd leaf curl, advice welcome.
New flower on tobasco plantPretty spider

Labels: Costa Rica, garden, house, photo, tamarindo, weather

Today starts as a cloudy, "cool" morning (maybe low seventies) and we begin the day with coffee, coffee cake, and birds. One of the pleasures of our home is the large number of birds that we see from our deck. There are two large "Jobo" trees in our driveway positioned such that the crowns of the trees are only 3-5m (10-20ft) above our eye level but at least 20m (~65ft) above ground level. "Ground" in this case is a hill, so some of the higher branches may be several meters further from the dirt. Regardless of actual height- birds seem to enjoy the trees.

We also enjoy a fairly sweeping view out over a woodlands that turns into an estuary, where more birds feed and congregate.

As a snapshot of what is out there, I list the 12 different species we saw this morning. Most notable today was a large (longer than my forearm) Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) that we were lucky enough to watch fly up from the estuary directly towards us until it landed (amongst much distress from smaller birds) in the tree directly in front of us. It reminded me of watching a commercial jet come in for a landing with its heavy body and motionless wings as it approached. The bird itself is quite notable for two features: 1) it has a distinct "bandit's mask" coloration on the face. Think raccoon. 2) it's voice is very much like a laugh, and very loud. We have been hearing it for months but did not know what it is. Now that we know, it is even more fun.

There was actually a pair in the tree, but we were so enthralled by the first that we did not even notice the second until they flew away together (calling in duet).

H. cachinnans is primarily a snake-eater, catching venomous and non-venomous snakes, also lizards and rodents. Its talons are particularly scaly and tough-looking, I imagine that helps it avoid envenomation.

The rest of the list is as follows, with common name, then scientific in italics.

Laughing Falcon - Herpototheres cachinnans - pair
Orange Chinned Parakeets - Brotogeris jugularis - several small groups of 3-4
Great Tailed Grackles - Quiscalus mexicanus - various
Pigeon (?) flying by - probably red-billed pigeon- Columba flavirostris
Rufus Naped Wren - Campylorhinchus rufinucha - 2 groups of 2 and 3
Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulfuratus - pair and single
Green Breasted Mango (hummingbird)- Anthrocothorax prevostii - single (hummingbird)
Hoffman's Woodpecker - Melanerpes hoffmannii - pair
Swallow (maybe a Martin) flying
Blue-Gray Tanager - Thraupis episcopus - pair
Striped-Headed Sparrow - Aimophila ruficauda - single
Orange Fronted Parakeet - Aratinga canicularis - pair

Of course, there are also squirrels, iguanas (Ctenosaurus), at least five types of butterflies (yellow, white, orange & black, green and black, small green), ants, some mosquitos, some millipedes, other ants, Melipona bees, dragonflies, and one cute mixed-breed dog. Nice little menagerie that we enjoy here!

Labels: bird, garden, house, tamarindo, weather

I enjoy my bug photos so much, that I feel compelled to share them.
           
Note the seriously japanese-robot style legs on this beastie! Actual size, by the way, is a little larger than my thumbnail, somewhere near the size of a U.S. quarter or a Costa Rican 10 colon coin (the aluminum one).

If anyone tells you that you look like the ass-end of a moth's wing... I submit that it is a compliment. (Unless you are electric-jazzy-blue-sparkle phobic)

Labels: Costa Rica, garden, photo

While pulling laundry from the line on account of rain, Jocelyn came across this little stunner. Not sure if it is a butterfly or a moth-- typically butterflies rest with their wings vertical, moths horizontal. But... moths are more typically 'hairy'.

Based on how disinclined it seemed to fly, I suspect that we have a freshly emerged moth that was drying its wings while thinking something akin to "Please don't eat me". It may also have been thinking "I blend in so well with this white tshirt", which is, of course, completely untrue and leads me to ask: Why on earth would a critter have such amazing markings?

Just another slice of beauty. Exactly the type of thing to keep in mind next time I'm stuck at the hardware store waiting an hour to find out that the stuff I custom-ordered was delivered wrong, again, and so I can't finish my simple roofing project.

Also the type of thing to consider when we get a few mozzie bites and consider the notion of spraying the yard. I think that a few itches are worth this incomparable living gem. Just need to build a couple of ponds/fountains with mosquito fish so we can enjoy the yard that much more.

Meanwhile, Caly seems to think by burying her snout in the rocks, she can somehow catch/wait-out the iguana that is probably on the other side of the pool munching our flowers. I suspect that there is a lesson in there somewhere, but fail to produce a pithy caption just now.

Labels: Costa Rica, dog, garden, photo

Storm clouds on the horizon, but with what I like to think of as "fresh sunlight"- that first few rays of the day- sneaking under the clouds to illuminate the trees.

Labels: garden, photo, tamarindo, weather

I use the internet.

Unreservedly. Frequently. Adeptly.

But on occasion I marvel at the huge compendium of information and the ease with which we can all access it.

This afternoon I got to thinking "I really would like to know what vine I have covering most of a wall on the house. Is it going to become a terrible scourge on my garden? Or will it continue to be an attractive addition? Is it liable to die off this year?"

Off to the internet! After a quick search or three, for "vine with small pink flowers heart leaves"... I came up with a link to several sites that conclusively identify my mystery vine as Antigonon leptopus or Coral Vine. Originally from Mexico. Hardy, perennial, and mildly invasive/smothering. Perfect for keeping an isolated wall covered in pretty green and pink. You can read more about it here if you like.

That sure was easy!

Labels: garden

The 2nd loaf came out excellent! I'm so happy.
Need to lower the rack in the oven or back off from 500 degrees- the top got a little overcooked, looks more like toast than bread. The flavor is still excellent, and the interior is fine.

I like the mouthfeel of white bread better, but a little whole wheat in there makes me think that it is a tad healthier.

While baking, we also saw a new-to-us bird in the tree out front. Turns out it is a Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata). White feathers, black mask, red bill/eyes. Pretty interesting looking bird that reminds me of a penguin. (image linked from RioRvPark.com).

Feeling good about the morning so far.

Labels: bird, bread, food, garden, tamarindo

i am finally starting my line of art installations for the home and garden: mobiles, chimes, bowls, sink design, sconce design, book covers. basically, art pieces for indoors and out, for use and for beauty. i'm starting the line with copper, but figure i will integrate other types of metal as well as found and natural objects. here is my first prototype for the mobile/moving art collection of the line.

Labels: garden, house

Planted jalapeno seeds today. Again.

I think that the last batch failed to germinate because we tried to start them inside, on the kitchen counter. I've since read that they like hot soil. Well.... they are now out by the shower- full sun for at least 6 hours/day. They'll be hot, all right.

Just have to keep them moist, and get them out from under heavy rain showers (that tend to flood flower pots).

I also threw a few errant basil seeds in. Hey, why not? Right?

Hopefully, in about 3 months, we'll be writing about the fabulous jalapeno and basil sauce we're making.

Labels: Costa Rica, garden, jalapeno, tamarindo, weather

As I was driving to the airport on Friday, I got a call from Jocelyn saying:

"Hey, there is a snake in the yard! Can I pick it up?"
me: "Is it poisonous?"
j: "That's why I called *you*! It has a green head. Its really cute."
me: "No." "No picking up strange snakes."
j: "Are you sure?"
me: "Listen, I'm too far away to turn around and drive you to the hospital if it is poisonous. Don't pick it up."
j: "I guess that's a good point."

As it turns out, it was a green-headed tree snake. Very mildly venemous and rear-fanged thus not dangerous unless it gnaws on your nostril for a while (or some other thin area of skin). But I'm sticking to the "Don't pick up unknown snakes" rule.

I don't have to worry about that rule as I'm basically petrified of snakes. They give the willies.

Labels: garden, tamarindo

So I've decided that I'm going to keep a monthly almanac of things interesting (particularly to me) here at ODS #17. To start off, I took several photos from upstairs in all directions and intend to take similar shots on the first of every month to see the changes. I'm feeling especially pleased with myself that I managed to take these pictures on May 1 (the idea being that the almanac comes out on the first of every month - though I'm not off to a promising start here on the third) and that was our last day of the dry season for 2009. It's a nice record and will serve to make June's photos all that more interesting.

Due east from master bedroom	East/Southeast from master bedroom	Due south from master bedroom	South-west from master bedroom
Due west from master patio	West/Northwest from master patio	West/Southwest from master patio	Road in the distance from master patio
Moon in mid-afternoon from master patio facing east	Front grass from master patio	Front flower garden from master patio	Ylang ylang tree from master patio
Pool and sun angles from master bedroom	Master bedroom	Shower garden with door	Sun angle in the living room

Labels: almanac, garden, photo, tamarindo, view

We've been anticipating, dreading, imploring, praying for/against, thinking about, visualizing, discussing, predicting, prognosticating, lauding, damning, preparing for, rushing ahead of, remembering, and otherwise considering the rainy season for about a month now (since the first rain came).

I feel pretty comfortable saying that Rainy Season 2009 is finally here. It alternated between drizzle and pour all night, and is coming down at a pretty clip pace as I type.

My garage is getting drenched, I'm hoping that most of the non-waterproof stuff is covered, but I'm sure something is out there getting ruined. Darnit.

For sure, my compost pile is getting some much needed moisture- we measured the temp this morning when I turned it- high 130's. Should be higher still to kill weeds, I'll bet it'll get there if it stays wet like this.

Speaking of temperatures: the trunks of some of our trees were in the low 70's at 9am. We don't know the actual air temperature because, frustratingly to me, we don't yet have a functional thermometer inside nor outside the house.

I'd love to share pictures of all of the new buds, shoots, and growth on plants all over the yard. I find it amazing that so many our plants that have been getting regular soakings, yet suffering greatly, have suddenly exploded in growth after a single overnight rain shower.

We are feeling awfully happy to have spent last weekend up on the roof patching holes. Let's hope it works!

That'll have to be all for now-- the lightning outside is getting pretty close and pretty frequent, so the laptop is getting unplugged.

Labels: Costa Rica, garden, photo, tamarindo, weather

So the Dean of Green just answered my question on the radio!

I don't want to steal his thunder, but the short version: I should use pots for my tomatoes... keep the diseases away. So that's on the list!

Labels: garden

Haven't chomped into one yet... but we've got some tomatoes on the vine that are juuust about ready for us. We are very excited.

And speaking of tomatoes: We are big fans of the podcast "The Dean of Green" on WGLT-FM. A few weeks back I sent in a question about growing tomatoes here in Costa Rica... and did they choose my question? Oh yes they did! I'm excited that we should hear an answer on Friday, April 10th.

This isn't big news, probably, to anyone but our garden... but you've got to embrace the little victories, no?

Labels: food, garden, tamarindo

Michelle Obama is advocating organic gardens at USDA facilities.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/19/How-the-garden-grows/

Seems like a great step towards education, sustainability, and better eating. Isn't that what the USDA is supposed to be doing?

Labels: garden

	It was such a lovely evening last night that I decided to snap some photos of the yard. I had completely forgotten that the moon was about to rise, the photos I got do it no justice, but I've shared what I did get.

Labels: garden, photo, sunset, tamarindo