An Update (From Canada)

Now that I have finally finished my posts about our time in Colombia, I thought I would provide an update as to what Laura and I have been up to for the last month and a half.

On February 28th we left Medellín and flew to San José, Costa Rica for the next leg of our trip. Our idea was to travel in Costa Rica together for six weeks, upon which Laura and I had plans apart from each other. My intention would be to fly to Ontario in mid April, lead a tour in Spain for two weeks in late April for Quest Nature Tours, and return home to Ontario to spend the bulk of the spring/early summer. Laura meanwhile had organized a few volunteer placements - one, for six weeks, at a wildlife rehab center in Costa Rica, and another with a vet clinic in Grenada where she would spend the first half of June. She hoped to return back to Canada and reconvene with me for the rest of June and the first half of July. 

Helmeted Iguana (Corytophanes cristatus)

The Costa Rica trip started out very well. Laura and I rented a car from San José and explored some areas on both slopes within a few hours of the capital. We stayed at a hostel in the Osa Peninsula for three nights - a definite highlight for both of us - and visited some other iconic areas including a few national parks such as Los Quetzales, Tapanti and Braulio Carillo. We concluded the route with a few nights in the Arenal area before returning to San José to return the rental car and switch it out for a Toyota Rav4. That evening my parents landed in the capital, and for the next week and half, we explored Costa Rica with them. 

Red-capped Manakin

Around the time that my parents were boarding the plane in Toronto, the travel restrictions were just beginning and shortly after, recommendations were made by the Canadian government that all Canadians should return home as soon as possible. The four of us kept a close eye on the situation. We looked into bumping my parents' return trip up, but it would either cost several thousand dollars, or involve a layover in the States (which they were trying to avoid). In the end, they kept their seats on the March 23 flight and Laura and I also booked tickets on that same flight. By March 24, all four of us were back in Canada.  

Collared Redstart

Needless to say, our travel plans have changed considerably due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, we are thankful for what we have at the moment and we realize that there are many other people out there who are experiencing real suffering. Our plans may have had to change, but we have a place to stay, food on the table, and our health, so life is good for us. Hopefully, we can collectively get this virus under control in the upcoming months and life can move towards some semblance of normalcy.

In the meantime, Laura and I have been trying to get outside for some hikes locally here in Cambridge, Ontario. Luckily, I know of lots of great places to check out that are devoid of people, even though many of the conservation areas, provincial and municipal parks, etc are closed. One location, which we have dubbed Covid Woods, is only a five minute walk from our house in Cambridge. It is situated near an area slated for upcoming development and involves a muddy walk down an ATV track, meaning that we never see any other people while we are hiking. The birding and herping possibilities seem quite good at Covid Woods, with scrubby second growth, a nice Sugar Maple/Beech/Red Oak stand, and a hydro utility corridor as well as fallow fields. Below are a few photos from the last couple of weeks, both at Covid Woods and a few other local areas. Spring is definitely here, with new signs of the changing seasons appearing daily.

Northern Ribbonsnakes - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Mourning Cloak - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Eastern Gartersnake - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Covid Woods - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Ruffed Grouse - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Northern Ribbonsnakes - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Round-lobed Hepatica - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Dekay's Brownsnake - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Ruffed Grouse - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Northern Ribbonsnake - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Ruffed Grouse - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Eastern Gartersnake - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

Ruffed Grouse - Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario

In the next month or so I will try to post all of the material that I have from our three weeks in Costa Rica. The never ending quest to keep my blog up to date continues!