Costa Rica Photo Gallery

Birds and Wildlife at Rancho Naturalista

January 2009 -- Digiscoped images by Joseph Morlan

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
24 January 2009, CATIE Botanical Garden, Costa Rica CATIE is the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center. http://www.catie.ac.cr/magazin_ENG.asp?CodIdioma=ENG The triangular processes in front of the eyes help distinguish this Caiman from the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). This ridge is similar to the triangular teeth on the edge of the lily pads. The Northern Jacanas kept a safe distance. Panasonic Lumix LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)
Joseph Morlan