Postcards from Costa Rica (2010)

The daylight social centre of our star party is the swimming pool. At night, the reclining lounge chairs accommodate binocular observers. (Nikon FE, Fuji Sensia 200 slide film.)

The 7th annual Costa Rica Southern Star Party ran from January 16th through 23rd this year. We usually have excellent observing conditions and clear skies, but this year was exceptional. Virtually every dark hour was free of clouds and rich with celestial rewards.

Ensenada "Star" Lodge. (Nikon FE, Fuji Sensia 200 slide film.)

Our accommodations in Costa Rica are basic, but comfortable. One of the great benefits of the arrangement there is that we can leave our equipment set up all night long outside the front doors of our individual cabins.

Detail from painted wall at Asociacion de Mujeres Artesanas, Isla Chira. (Nikon FE, Fuji Provia 100F slide film.)

The major daytime excursion this year took us to Isla Chira, the largest inhabited island in Costa Rica. The island is situated in the Gulf of Nicoya and requires a 45-minute boat ride to reach from the lodge.

Royal Terns on dock. (Nikon FE, Fuji Provia 100F slide film.)

While the stars keep us up all night, those with the energy to do so spend some of their daylight hours birding. This year we logged more than 90 individual species, including the common and comical Royal Terns shown above.

Sunset, Thursday January 21, 2010. (Nikon FE, Fuji Provia 100F slide film.)

Some of the vastness of the Ensenada nature preserve can be seen in the photo above. The sun is setting over the Nicoya Peninsula, with the Gulf of Nicoya in the foreground.

Sunset at DFW. (Nikon FE, Fuji Provia 100F slide film.)

The journey begins and ends at an airport. In this case, the sun is setting at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport after the first leg of my return voyage.

Next year's star party is scheduled to run from February 27th to March 6th. In addition to the usual southern splendors, this set of dates will allow us to view the magnificent constellation Scorpius as it reaches the meridian in the pre-dawn sky.

If you’d like to join us, drop by the TravelQuest International
web site for more information. Details on the 2011 tour should be posted soon.