Herpetile Blitz 2

January 8-15, 2023

Our second herp blitz with the amazing Twan Leenders!  We will explore the river, low forest and upland forest in search of reptiles and amphibians. Last trip we recorded 50 species, including 6 species of glass frogs! We will visit Culebra Creek, Bothrops Beach and Glass Frog Alley, all of which have provided us with good diversity of species. We will also have a night in Sierpe to go out with Raby Nuñez of sierpefrogs, allowing us to see an even greater variety of species. A full day in Corcovado for all kinds of natural wonders is included. Free time for swimming is allowed too!   Trip starts and ends in Golfito.

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Cost: $1,550 US per person, shared accommodations.

Leaders: Twan Leenders, author, photographer, leading herpetologist for Costa Rica. Co-led and organized by Fiona Reid.

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Dawn: I can’t imagine a more fun way to learn about frogs and snakes and other herps than to be out exploring at Sylvan with Twan Leenders and Fiona Reid. We discovered glass frogs and colorful poison dart frogs and a myriad of other wonderful creatures. Go!
Brian: Fiona’s property at Sylvan is ideal for viewing a wide diversity of tropical plants and animals. Her knowledge of the species there is incredible. Fiona and Twan go out of their way to accommodate your specific interests and must-see species. 

  One space left!!

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Tropical Field Sketching

February 3-10, 2023

This workshop is led by artist Debby Kaspari and includes 9 classes on sketching from life in a complex, tropical environment. We also have excursions to other habitats to enjoy birds and wildlife, as well as different art challenges.

Classes include: the six foot landscape, focusing on a small section of habitat; rendering light and shadow using toned paper, pencil and white pastel; sketching water in motion, and many more. Participants will learn how to sort out and simplify complex rainforest subjects, how to keep a nature journal, drawing trees, and how to make quick thumbnails of compositions. You will even have a chance to draw a cane toad from life! In addition to exploring habitats at Sylvan we will visit a huge wetland at Coto 47, reach a higher elevation at Wilson Botanical Garden, and explore a beautiful canyon well off the beaten path.  This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a pristine natural environment and learn how to portray it yourself. Trip starts and ends in Golfito.

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Cost: $1,450 US per person, shared accommodations.

 

Leaders: Debby Kaspari, artist with many years experience painting from life in Panama (see above study and https://drawingthemotmot.com), the Amazon, and around the USA. 

 Co-led and organized by Fiona Reid.

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New Workshop!

One space left.

Bat Blitz 3

February 19-25, 2023

An intensely bat-focused blitz. Do not expect to sleep much this week. We will spend our nights catching bats in different parts of the property.  We will focus on catching free-tailed bats in triple-high nets over the river, as we have added several quite rare species using these techniques. We have some new property to explore, and also the option to take hammocks to a distant ridge and spend the night in the forest in search of rare species.  By day we will look for bat roosts, bat tents, and other flora and fauna. Free time for swimming is allowed too!  This blitz includes visits to a cave for vampire bats, a mangrove tour and a treehouse property with several known bat roosts. Trip starts and ends in Golfito. 
 

Cost: $1,450 US per person, shared accommodations.

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Leaders: Daniel Hargreaves, British bat conservationist, photographer and the reason  we will not get any sleep; Melissa Donnelly, expert in bats from Cuba to Sulawesi and the other reason we will not get any sleep.  Co-led and organized by Fiona Reid, who has staked out bat roosts and activity hotspots in anticipation of this trip. 
 

We had an amazing workshop, adding to our list of bats to a grand total of 50 species - approximately half of all the species in Costa Rica! 

Kathy: it is a wonderful vacation paradise, and seeing so many bat species was thrilling!

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Birds/General Nature Tour

Jan 24-31, 2023

This is a week with time to relax and enjoy everything that Sylvan has to offer, from tanagers and hummingbirds in the garden, to frogs at night, with visits to several waterfalls for photography and swimming.   It is also a great opportunity to learn about different aspects of tropical biology in a pristine setting. We will explore different parts of the property with Fiona and search out the numerous species of birds and wildlife  at Sylvan.  Early birding, night walks, bat and moth studies, and more are on the agenda, with time to visit the waterfalls and swim in clear river pools. Day trips to Las Cruces for highland birds, Coto 47 for waterbirds, and a visit to a treehouse round out the week. Trip starts and ends in Golfito. 

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Cost: $1,250 US per person, shared accommodations.

Leaders: Local guide Daniel Hernandez will be used at Coto 47 and possibly elsewhere.  Led and organized by Fiona Reid who will show the group birds, mammals and  interesting plants and animals she has found at Sylvan.

Karrie: I really enjoyed the entire experience of the workshop!  You, your staff and your facilities/ property  made the experience that much more special.  Glad I was able to expand on my birding skills. I look forward to  a return trip to Sylvan in the future

Tom: Thank you, Fiona: what a wonderful place, and area, you have situated in! 

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