Rising early this morning I had the beach to myself and enjoyed a nice walk along its full extent. The last time I was in Costa Rica I had the good fortune to photograph a pair of Scarlet Macaws, albeit with a low resolution camera.  Today I decided to return to the same area, just north of the Manuel Antonio national park, in hopes of doing so again.  As I began the three hour drive, I passed through a small town and noticed several children wearing traditional costumes and being accompanied by their parents to school. I decided to stop and attend what turned out to be a colorful performance in celebration of the Anexion del Partido de Nicoya, a local holiday.

When I reached the Tarcoles River, I paused to visit the crocodiles that can be found sunning themselves on the banks at midday.  Although I found many other great birds while searching up and down the coast, the macaws continue to elude me.  My best images of the crocodiles and all the birds I shot today were lost.