On our way out, we stopped at a nearby side road to try to call out an owl...

Next, down the coast to Esquinas...

We have seen the Striped Owl before - a couple of times, but only flying away; so we were hoping for a closer look.  We looked several places for this along the way but with no luck.  We weren't having any luck in Esquinas either and were on our way back to the lodge after a final unsuccessful attempt when one showed up in tree branches right next to the road.  This was all we ever hoped for.  As a bonus, Noel managed to lure in a Tropical Screech-Owl.  It was the first time he's seen the Screech-Owl at Esquinas.

On to our final birding destination, San Gerardo de Dota valley...

Along the way, we went up into the savanna (Alto Salitre Savanas) to look for Ocellated Crakes...

In September-October 2017, Costa Rica and the countries north experienced unusually large amounts of rain; and then Tropical storm Nate hit, with steady hard rain pouring for about three and a half days straight.  All this caused deaths and extensive damage that was still being cleaned up when we arrived.  This bridge is near Noel's end of town in San Isidro de El General.  You can see that the thick steel frame was bent and twisted.  Large boulders in many different streams came washing down, wiping out what ever was in their path.  Where riparian forests lined streams, there is now a rocky lining.

What caused the bridge to be wiped out was a factory up stream.  Legal wrangling is still in progress, but the locals took matters into their own hands and put in a temporary bridge.   What's cool is that a stand is set up on one side to take donations and the money rolls in. 

Then on to the San Gerardo de Dota region and Suenos del Bosque Lodge...

We were eating breakfast at the restaurant and one of the staff calls out that there's a Quetzal out front... the restaurant emptied...

We could see it back in the forest from where we stood, but Noel was making a bee line to a newly build bridge that climbs into mid-canopy - and we followed close behind.  Lucky for us, no one else followed because the bridge was very bouncy and photos would have been difficult.  When we got up there, he whistled an imitation call a few times and then played a recording.  Here it came - real close.  This is a male that is either immature or lost its tail feathers.  You'll see one with tail feathers further down the page.  Different colors shimmer when the bird turns.  Quite a sight.

For us, Providencia Road was our favorite place to explore last trip and this trip was even better... far better...

The Savegre and Providencia river valley area was first settled by ancestors of Noel (Chacon) Ureña.  They worked their way up from the bottom (ocean side) in the 1950's and settled throughout the area.  As we made our way down the road, we ran into many of Noel's relatives, especially in the little town of Providencia.

We stopped at Paraiso de Quetzal Lodge which has exceptional Hummingbird feeders set up with the endemic Fiery-throated Hummingbird a regular visitor...

The owner of the lodge, Jorge Serrano, does excellent carvings.  The above two Bellbirds were done by him as well as even more impressive carvings throughout the restaurant (should have taken more pictures, but you'll just have to visit for yourself).

When I was buying the compelling little carving of the Quetzal (right, about 12"), he brought out a new carving that was in the works - an very large high detail Quetzal.  Remarkable work.

While we were enjoying the intensity of the hummingbirds... someone spotted a distant pair of Quetzals.  Noel started attempting to call them in, whistling and playing a recording.  We heard a young Chinese girl behind us say to her boyfriend "He's going to call them in".  The boyfriend responded skeptically "No Way".  Well, here they came...  All the boyfriend could say was "Awesome"!

Well, it's time to hop on our horse and head back to San Jose to complete our circuit... and then on to our California home...

Noel dropped us off at the San Jose Airport about 4:30 AM... 

We'd like to give a super special thank you(!) to our friend and companion Noel Ureña for the exceptional tour - and to his wife, Sulma for letting him go.

If you're ever down in Costa Rica (highly recommended!) and want THE BEST birding guide in the country, contact Tropical Feathers