Travel

Leafcutter Ants – Costa Rica

While in Costa Rica, hiking trails with my cameras, I spend a lot of time looking at the ground for snakes. (There are snakes there you don’t want to come upon by surprise, trust me.) It was amazing how many colonies of these leafcutter ants I saw. They were everywhere, crisscrossing the trails, heading up and down tree trunks on their own two-way highways. Not only were they industrious, but the leaves they could carry, compared to their own body size, was astounding. Check it out.

If you’d like to follow my posts regularly, sign up for my email newsletter.

North Channel – Benjamin Islands

By Kimberli Bindschatel

This fall, I had the amazing opportunity to spend some time sailing and hiking in the beautiful North Channel. This is one of the premiere fresh water sailing destinations in the world and it’s only a few day’s sail from my home port.

The Benjamin Islands are a favorite spot. The lichens that color the rocks give it so much character. It was a bit windy and overcast the day we anchored in the island chain, but I think you’ll get a good feel for the place.

Enjoy!

If you’d like to follow my posts regularly, sign up for my email newsletter.

Purple-throated Mountain-gem

By Kimberli Bindschatel

On my last trip to Costa Rica, I spent some time photographing hummingbirds. This beauty, the Purple-throated Mountain-gem was absolutely stunning. From most angles, he looked like a plain, green bird with no distinct markings. But then, when he’d turn to face you, at just the right angle–bam!–he glowed with iridescent splendor. Hopefully it was captured here in the video.

If you’d like to follow my posts regularly, sign up for my email newsletter.

Costa Rica Wildlife Photos – Teaser

By Kimberli Bindschatel

I’m so excited to share some photos from my recent trip to Costa Rica. These are a few of the best.

The Squirrel Monkey above is highly endangered. They are so cute and docile, they’ve been very popular as pets and are almost gone in the wild.

The Scarlet Macaw is another endangered animal, again taken as pets and their beautiful plumage for decoration.

The White-faced Capuchin is a smart primate, crafty even. Tourists are warned not to leave anything on the beach when they go swimming because these little guys like to run off with shiny trinkets.

The Emerald Toucanet, a bird I had not yet seen. I was thrilled to capture this portrait. Isn’t he a spectacular bird!

The Northern Tamandua, an anteater, is nocturnal. We got lucky enough to find one snoozing on a palm tree.

The Red-eyed Leaf Frog is the iconic critter of Costa Rica. He was absolutely stunning.

One can’t talk of the wildlife of Costa Rica without including the iguana.

You hope to see a sloth (you’d think they wouldn’t be that hard to find, but you’d be surprised) so when Amber and I came across this little cutie and photographed him for almost two hours as he stretched and posed for us, we couldn’t believe it. We named him Hollywood!

I’m sure my fellow photographers will appreciate this photo. I’ve always dreamed of catching a shot like this. Wow! You fire away, click, click, click, then in editing this pops up. Mind blown!

All these and more are in my new book, Costa Rica Wildlife: A Photographic Collection, available in just a few days. I’ll post when it’s official. Also, Costa Rica Birds: A Photographic Collection and Costa Rica Hummingbirds: A Photographic Collection are in the works, so stay tuned.

Want to travel with me?

By Kimberli Bindschatel

So, I’m pondering leading some tours in Costa Rica and Alaska to see wildlife. Would you be interested in joining me for a conservation-minded tour? What an adventure we would have! Please send me an email. I’d like to gauge the interest.

kimberli@kimberlibindschatel.com

Sailing the North Channel- Part Three

By Kimberli Bindschatel

On our way home, as we passed through Grays Reef, I snapped this image of the abandoned lighthouse. Something about this old structure gives me hope. When I ponder the troubles we face due to overpopulation, global warming, mass extinctions, I can get overwhelmed by it all. I love the metaphor presented in this scene. The top of the old light looks like a bird cage, yet now that it has been vacated by man, the birds have taken over. Free. Uncaged.

Sailing the North Channel- Part Two

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Day 6

After picking up friends in Little Current, we head northeast to the famous fjord Bay Fiene with the plan to anchor in a protected natural harbor called the Pool. A long narrow bay, Bay Fiene is lined on the north side by the White Granite mountains. And they are. White granite dotted with pines. As we anchor at sunset, we see two otters splashing about, fishing. Otters are usually rather shy, but these two seem accustomed to boats being here.

The next morning I’m up before dawn, all bundled up with a hot cup of tea, listening to them in the dark. Splash, crunch crunch devouring a fish. Splash some more. The sound echoes off the rock walls. Nature. Beautiful.

Sailing the North Channel- Part One

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Day 4

Finally, a quiet anchorage where we can watch the sunset in solitude.

Day 5

We’ve found a snug little anchorage, tucked in a cove of Turnbull Island, a giant rock sprouting perfectly formed white pines. Similar smaller islands surround us, an archipelago, all dotted with pines and painted in brushstrokes of orange and yellow lichens.

The sun is still high in the sky, but we decide to take a dinghy ride around to explore. On the other side I find a beaver dam and plan to wait there at dusk to see if anyone is home.

Back at the boat, after lunch, as I’m lounging with a book, I hear a rustle in the bushes on the shoreline. I quickly grab the binoculars to see a raccoon making his way along on the edge of the water, moving between the rocks, fishing. Every once in a while a splash, then crunch-crunch-crunch of a fish being devoured. Raccoons are usually nocturnal, so I’m surprised a bit, but what a delight to witness.

At sunset, we head out as planned in the dinghy, only to find the beaver is already out and about. I don’t know who spots whom first, but soon enough, he dives under with a slap of this mighty tail and is gone.

A cold front moves in during the night, and we leave that spot in a gusty rain.

Field Trip

By Kimberli Bindschatel

Last week, I took a field trip to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center. Yep, three-hour drive and I’m in Canada. Short trip, eh?
Why did I go? Well, the next Poppy McVie novel, Operation Grizzly Camp, will include a ride (or two) in a de Havilland Beaver. I was hoping to sit in the cockpit of one and get inspired. Visitors can board many of the aircraft at the center, but unfortunately, the Beaver isn’t one of them. They are very proud to have serial number 2 and she is a beauty.
I did enjoy the history of bush planes, particularly their role in Canada and fighting forest fires. If you are ever in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, stop in. You won’t be disappointed.
I have had the pleasure of riding in a de Havilland Beaver, but of course, that was many years ago and I wasn’t paying attention to the degree that I could remember details now. But I found some other ways (wringing my hands deviously) So stay tuned. Meanwhile, check it out.

Follow My Adventures