Sunset on Sunday

that's right.....I've been studing Photoshop. Correcting exposure is fairly simple, it's the watermark that has taken hours to figure out. Now, onto borders............

Got Wood?

I couldn't resist posting this snapshot of a house I photographed while driving lost in Escazu a couple of weeks back. I took this photo as I was passing in traffic so no time to frame it up. It appears this guy cannot even get in his front door due to all the generous donations of wood.
The sign reads "No Mas Madera Gracias", translated "No More Wood Thanks".
Funny stuff.

Darling Ducklings

I now know what kind of duck this is, Black-bellied Whistling Duck with a pink bill and feet (thanks Carol A. for info). I had thought there was only one duckling but when I returned home yesterday, I let out two dogs and Macha found the whole flock of ducklings hovering in the corner of the yard, under the lemon tree and banana trees. It was a yellow and black blur of little fur bodies scrambling to get through the fence to the other side AWAY from Macha. Unfortunately, Macha is just too quick and already had one in her mouth. I rescued it from Macha's jaws but it died in my hands. The rest of the bunch hurried off into the tall grass. I spent the rest of the afternoon searching for them with a bucket in hand. I wanted to collect them and take them to the river but I never found them. Not being able to find them is pretty incredible since the chicks are brightly colored yellow with black spots and there were about 10 of them traveling in a huddle.

Late last night, I kept hearing a bird calling, for hours. The birds are quiet at night. It sounded like a toucan but with more lift and flurry. I was told this type of duck whistle when they take off (hence the name). As I tried to go to sleep, listening to this weary call over and over, I couldn't help but wonder if the mother was calling out for her lost duckling (the one Macha killed). I wondered if all the flock was in a safe place and if she ventured out away from the others to call to her missing duckling as not to endanger the others. There are many hawks in the area.
Life is a challenge in the jungle. It really is survival of the fittest and the strongest (and smartest).

The Dotted Duckling

For all those that have kept up with my blog, you know I love nature and animals, especially all the living things around my house. These are my favorite subjects. This morning I looked out and a duck flew into my yard. I know they use the tall palm in my yard for nesting so I looked around for her ducklings. In the past, I have seen as many as ten little ducklings fall 30 feet (about 10 meters) from that palm tree and in a straight line, they follow their mom to the river. Those days were BEFORE the fence. I watched to see how she was going to get her one and only duckling pass the fence. The duckling dodge in and out of the chain link fence but the mom was blocked by her size and would not fly over so I went out and opened the gate for them. Momma Duck waddled pass me and ushered her little duckling into the free world. I was so thankful I found them before the dogs did. I'll keep watching for more ducklings.
She looked as though she paused to say "Thanks Macha" and waddled out with her one precious follower.

Church on Sunday

Church in San Mateo, March, 2006
September, 2009
Recently, I made a trip to San Jose to renew my residency and on the way back I got a great surprise. The church in San Mateo has been under renovation for a long time. It was late so I couldn't stop and go inside but looking through the front doors, it looks beautiful inside as well. I'll have to return and take my time.

"Church on Sunday" is in remembrance of my mother.

The Last Frontier

Around these parts, I consider the vacant coastline down around the pig farm and out at Tulin ("Four Corners"), the last frontier. They tore down the deserted concrete buildings that have been out there for years. Guess, those people believed that electric/water was coming WAY OUT THERE. Well, from what I hear, it is NOW. Rumor has it, a wealthy guy from Pakistan bought all of that property and it is slated for construction of a housing development of 400-600 houses. Us good people here in Hermosa can thank this guy for improving our water system (so I hear). We are getting a huge water filtration system plus all the bells and whistles! I'd prefer to live with the dirty Hermosa water (after it rains) and keep Hermosa Beach just like it is, thank you. Progress sucks sometimes.

This is my water after a big rain. So you see, picking this water over the construction of housing that will bring us better water, is saying a whole lot!!

Post note: Seems Playlist (TeriTunes) is on a permanent blink. I cannot edit songs or play them on my end so I'll probably delete it. If you want to hear some music, Southern Rock, go here.

Pura Vida - I learn from my dogs

Check out this past post: http://yo-yoinparadise.blogspot.com/2006/09/pura-vida-i-learn-from-my-dogs.html
I blogged about this way before Cesar Millan taught me that "dogs live in the moment". His show has been a gift to me and my dogs and I so much appreciate everything I have learned. Thank you Cesar and Melissa Jo (and others) for bringing dog education to humans.
This is my most favorite thing, to walk my dogs and watch them enjoying themselves. Never underestimate the power of the walk!! They are almost cured of fighting. No fighting for months now!! These are the two sister dogs that used to fight, running on the beach, loving life!

This is my Macha, looking down the beach to see if there is another dog to chase. Bad Macha!! Can't break her of that one,,, but I'm working on it. She chased a horse on the beach that day and ruined our little photo session!

Farewell Brandon

Here's wishing you a happy life and hoping you find your way back to Costa Rica one day. Pura Vida.

Leap Frog

Every night, at dog feeding time, the toads come out for their share. These photos were at dark with a cheap camera. I'll have to feed the dogs earlier to catch the show with a better camera. The frogs fight over the food. They actually bite at each other (I've witnessed this) or in these photos, climb on top to prevent the other from eating. This pinned frog got some food anyway!! It's hilarious to watch! The dogs don't even steal their food. It's all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! ("Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations" - Cesar Millan)

(just another one of my frog blogs)

Just for Fun, too

Check this out: http://www.zazzle.com/surfer_alberto_costa_rica_calendar-158199620614146970

I've been working on making a promotional calendar for a local surfer, Alberto.
He doesn't know yet!!
Surprise, surprise!!
Want surf lessons??
Find the good surf spots?
Call Alberto Vasquez, Surf Instructor and Guide, 506-8915-5159

Just for Fun

This is George with a new hair buzz. That guy's got great style on a board.


Love this, he (don't know the guy) looks like one of those dolls with bendable arms and legs!

Just another day in paradise....

Banderas Bonitas!!

Banners are still lining the streets of Jaco and Hermosa mountain road from the ISA Billabong World Surfing Games held a couple of weeks ago. This photo was taken on Calle Ancho in Jaco on Sunday.

Birds of the Same Feather....

flock together. The Lapas have returned in full force. I counted at least 16 on Sunday. The almonds are ready for the plucking so they are attracted to these trees. What a beautiful sight to see them in flight.
Makes me smile every time!

Technical Difficulties

I've had more than my share lately. It all started over installing a new wireless router. They should pack a technician in the box with it!! I can't get Playlist to work right either. It has that old message about the artist not authorizing in foreign countries. Works, doesn't work, that's COSTA RICA.

For all those that have said you are "so lucky to live in Costa Rica"... yes, it may be some luck but mostly it's sheer tenacity and persistence that got me here and keeps me here. It ain't easy, those that have come and stayed, know this. If it were luck, I'd say mine has run out but I'm still staying here.

I'll be back to blogging once I get my computer back on track! In the meantime, enjoy my favorite artist at the moment, Adele.

Basket Baby

Out of all the photos I shot during the Billabong surf event, this one of a little girl passing in a bicycle basket during the parade, is the one I remember.

A Special Day

To all the mothers, everywhere.

My Angels - Blessing in Disguise

About a week before the BIG EVENT, I turned into a serious nail bitter. Just on one finger, my thumb. I was so nervous anticipating what was coming. Everyone said, "you have to get a guard!" I didn't want someone hanging around my house for a week and that expense! As always, I had faith that it would all be o.k. and kept biting my thumbnail, worrying about the what ifs.

The first day, Saturday, of the 2009 ISA Billabong World Surfing Games, they poured into Hermosa in droves. They had designated "PARQUEO" right next to the location of the event but everyone chose to park off the side of the road and down little dirt roads. My front filled up with cars first with everyone blocking each other in and stacked on top of one another. When it rains, I have a big sippy hole in the front (a sippy hole is what is created when you mix mud with water). Luckily, it didn't rain that first day and everything worked out. I was trying to get "the powers that be" to block off that area with tape and barrels like they did in other areas. No response. Sunday, the parking guys from San Jose show up. I wasn't to thrilled about THAT!! I still went out there to meet them and offer them coffee. I watched at a distance and they were doing an amazing job of keeping the traffic moving and getting cars in and out. I was impressed. The police didn't show up until later on Sunday when things got a little hairy with the mass exodus. By Tuesday, they were my best buds and I had a steady job of keeping the four of them in coffee, tea, ice, chairs, umbrellas, black plastic for rain, the garden hose to wash off beach sand for their clients and I even made PARQUEO name tags with their photo on it for I.D. purpose. They had claimed the whole front as their territory for the week long event.


What a week it was! Rains came, people got stuck in the "sippy holes", it was maddening at times but these guys kept everything under control. They even kept the trash picked up during the week. By the finals the following Friday and Saturday, I was feeling pretty blessed to have these guys here. The police did finally come the day before the finals when ALL OF CR (it seems) was here. They told the guys they had to leave. It really bothered me that they had worked so hard and was going to mi$$ out on the last days of the competition but, hey, pura vida, they had made money already. Turns out, they had done such a fabulous job, the police let them stay until the very last,,, till late Saturday night for the big concert. I feel so fortunate that everything worked out like it did. This was PEAK TIME for robberies and such. I felt my guardians angels really looked after me this time by sending me these great guys!! They gave me a huge tip, too!!
Thank YOU!!
If these guys show up at your house to park cars or you see them parking cars at another event, I recommend them highly,,, and please tell them, Macha says HOLA!!

All Pau

Before and after....

That's Hawaiian for all done, finished. I walked down to the beach to see the progress and it's wrapping up. They've torn down most of the structures. This was the site for the concerts. Do you see the sink in the photo?
Some things remain, like the four light poles with two lights on each pole going to the beach. I wonder if they will leave the wireless and cell service.
That would be a bonus.

The river just changed it's direction and is now flowing where people slept the other night.

These photos were taken high tide this morning.
I still want to post some more of the photos I took during the event,,, and I will as soon as I catch up.
Hermosa is beautiful. Jaco is cleaned up. Jaco was totally trashed, totally. I truly believe people think by throwing their trash down, it creates jobs for other people,,, which it does.


I took these shots with a little carry around camera and you can't see in the photo but the Costa Rica banners go all the way down the road. It's really a beautiful sight.

THE VIEW and Video- 2009 ISA World Surfing Games

Master Photographer, Agustin Muñoz from Argentina (www.NitsugaPhotography.com), loaned me this shot he took on the last day of the contest. I was unable to get down to the Hermosa Mirador for this shot and he graciously let me borrow it for my blog to show everyone. It is a wild shot. Almost surreal when you have this image in mind and walk on the beach today,,,, it's vacant,,, not a soul in sight.
PURA VIDA and thank you so much Agustin for giving me the highlights of the events as it progressed during the week. Check out more of Agustin's photography at http://www.agustinmunoz.com.
Now, everyone have a big, big sigh... they're gone and we have our beach back!!

Check out this reeeeally cool video by Ezequiel Avaro and Agustin Muñoz for Surfos Magazine -

More Videos by Ezequiel Avaro here: www.youtube.com/ezequielavaro

The Day After - 2009 ISA World Surfing Games

The party's over.
Before the crack of dawn on the day after, the music was turned back on for a 'one song' wake-up call. The vibrating bass pounding through the still night, waking those left over from the party the night before. Here are some shots of the beach and "the zone" around where I live. Peace has returned and I can hear the birds again.

Ho'omalamalama Pono
"Bring light, love and care to every effort, situation and intention in life"

I got that off BreeWee's blog, it helped me get through this past week and keep a generous heart in all the chaos.

Thanks for comin' Ya'll. It was great and everyone was so nice to each other.

I have lots more photos of the last day I will post soon.

Gridlock to World Surfing Games - Hermosa Costa Rica

My friend, Carol, braved the traffic early Saturday to come out to Hermosa and do a little shopping at the Planeta Aventura they have set up at the surf event. She took these shots trying to get back to Jaco a little before noon. It was over an hour drive. My electrician stopped by to get me out of a jam (the wire on my car alarm came out and totally shut down my car) and he called back, still on the road, to report people walking from Jaco. An incredible sight. This was the pilgrimage to surf land. They cancelled the "Walk for Jesus" pilgrimage to Cartago this year due to swine flu. That didn't stop these people. It was estimated over 25,000 people were here.