Our group rose at 6:00 AM just as the sun was rising over the mountains to look for the resplendent quetzal, a magnificent bird revered by the Mayans and Aztecs.
This rare and threatened bird is found in the high cloud forests of Mexico and Central America and is heralded for its exquisite beauty. It has a glittering iridescent sheen and tail feathers twice the length of its body. It is one of the most longed for sightings by birdwatchers and is considered the most beautiful bird in the world. Several breeding pairs of quetzals live in the area and the Quetzal Research and Education Center is found here on the grounds of the resort.
Following Jimmy, the group hiked up a steep hill on the Savegre property and met up with another group and their guide.
Everyone waited patiently, quietly focusing upward on a tree where the quetzals feed on the small, tiny wild avocados. After waiting several minutes, a female flew in and perched on the tree. She was beautiful but because her coloring is much more muted than the male's ornate feathering, everyone was hoping they would also see a male quetzal.
After watching and taking photos, both groups hiked to a different site where quetzals had previously been observed. No quetzals there. The groups hiked to a third site where everyone was rewarded with a male quetzal landing on the avocado tree. He stayed perched on the branch long enough for everyone to have a clear view and take photos.
Wow! Two quetzal sightings on our first quetzal-seeking hike! Jimmy clearly brings us good luck!
Back to the lodge for breakfast and a morning hike to the mountain top to experience the oak forest. Since it is quite a long climb up to the top, we took Savegre's jeep to save time and energy so we could hike down. We all squeezed into the back of the jeep for the long, steep ride up the mountain to over 10,000 feet.
The change from low tropical forest to a high elevation oak forest ecosystem was quite striking. Tall oak trees towered overhead in this rich and voluminous montane forest. The oak trees were distinctive in that their lichen-laden trunks were extremely tall and straight with branches and leaves at the very top. Mats of moss covered the forest floor.
Jimmy provided an overview of this diverse montane ecosystem and pointed out the trail named for the founders of Savegre Lodge.
We gathered for a group photo before a couple of us took the jeep ride back down the mountain to save wear and tear on our bad knees. Jimmy proceeded to lead the group down the very steep mountain trail.
The hike down was quite steep and very scenic. At one point Jimmy, in an amazing feat of strength, 😉 had to hold up a falling tree with his birding scope to let the hikers pass!
The group made it back down in a couple hours just in time for lunch as the mist was rolling in to the valley.
After lunch we had a little time to walk around and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Behind the main lodge, fishermen were fishing in the trout stream.
Our afternoon adventure was a chance to experience the forest trails on horseback. Some of us went for a trail ride with Jimmy while others chose to walk around Savegre.
We met down by the stream and waiting for us was a very rag tag pack of horses, including two mares with their foals. These certainly were not pampered show horses but don't let their looks deceive! They were the most rugged, sure footed horses well used to climbing the narrow, steep, rocky and muddy trails. We even crossed a couple rock strewn streams with water up to the horses' knees and fortunately they knew right where to put their feet. The two foals scampered along with Jimmy, in the lead, obviously used to years of riding horses on his father's ranch. Is there anything Jimmy cannot do?
We returned with the rain showers and another delicious dinner at Savegre's restaurant which must hold the record for the biggest burgers in Costa Rica!
It was another amazing day, with, sadly, one more day to go.
It was another amazing day, with, sadly, one more day to go.
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