Activites at La Esperanza

BIRDWATCHING

Primetime at La Esperanza is dawn, just like anywhere else for birds. Doug's balcony is still the best parrot-watching, but more Croton plantings have surrounded the deck nearby and make for excellent close-up work.
Some of the best birding taking place is done family-style. The access is so good that novices get professional quality views!
Recalling that moment, there were about 100 Yellow-eared Parrots in the Sapium tree over there . . . . . (Noisy buggers)
Sorry, but I "borrowed" this image and have yet to acquire the appropriate permission, but promise to do so soon! Scaled Antpitta.
The Columbian Chachalaca is a real favorite here (we won't get into the raucous chorus 5 mts from my head every morning at 5:30.) But that scaly breast is special.
The Broad-winged Hawk is a migrant here (Gringo Snowbird.) It's cheating, having placed itself just above some bananas where songbirds like to feed!

DIPPIN’ IN DOUG’S SWIMMIN’ HOLE

Notice how nicely the vegetation has filled in around that assembly you see below.
Boss was a pussy that day and floated on the children's mat. I recommend a swim, but it is bracing, so we encourage adults and children both to use the mat.
Another bathing beauty. Grandma had her 90th birthday when she arrived, but soon has her 100th!
Believe it or not, that's 10' deep at both ends and over 6-foot in the middle! Yes, these membranes are made for containing drinking water.
After vulcanization, the butyl rubber membrane was filled up with olympic-sized volume! After settling, you've got clear rainwater.
Here you can see how the rubber was buried along the edges and fish-breeding shelves have been sculpted on the sides.

HORSE-BACK RIDING

Don Jaime has been a good neighbor for 15 years now. We hope to step up the collaboration to our mutual advantage.
It's great country for horseback riding: cool, great views, and if you're with Jaime Marín, great company!
Funny, but even famous personalities might find themselves on top of a horse!

SPORTS

We try to keep up with the more sophisticated Europeans by offering croquet.
The set of 6 is actually custom-made by the director!
The symmetrical style of holding the mallet.
This cute little field has more than enough room for croquet, volleyball, badminton and kicking the soccer and footballs around.
It should be pretty clear that you need good legs to spike that high!
Hard to get hurt paying this sport, what with the weight of that tiny little shuttle.
North of the border . . . . . .
. . . . and south of the border!

HIKING AT THE RESERVE

DARN! I am soooo tired of those awe-inspiring views! I love to imagine the Atrato River behind those Western Andes and draining north to the Golfo de Urubá next to Panama.
It's hard to determine if that diverse canopy is more fascinating from above or below. It's easy to imagine how well those Olinguitos, night monkeys, Kinkajous and Tayras can leap from one to another.
But watch where you step! There is always some goatsucker underfoot. This one's the Pauraque.
You can't get lost. All roads lead to home, partly for the clear signage and partly for the enclosing fence.
Most carry quite a bit of expensive equipment and here is one of our accommodations. the farthest points always have a roof!
Awwwwwwwww . . . . . . .