Author Archives: AWOlivieri

Quiz Bird #3/Examen de aves #3!

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This will be a race to see who responds first because this one is easy!

Mystery Bird Photo by Gail Hull

Mystery Bird Photo by Gail Hull

The Two Clues

Location: Finca Cantaros

Time of year: October

This time the prize will be a lens cleaning cloth that you can attach to your binoculars, courtesy of The Audubon Shop in Madison, CT.

Good luck everybody: the clock is ticking!

Please send your answer to: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com and if your initials are GH, JF, JG, JZ or FS, you are not eligible for this one!

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¡Esta será una carrera para ver quien responde primero porque esta es fácil!

 Las Dos Pistas

La ubicación: Finca Cántaros

El momento del año: el mes octubre

Esta vez el premio será un pañito para limpiar lentes que puede sujetar a sus binoculares, cortesía de The Audobon Shop en Madison, CT.

Por favor envíe su respuesta a: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com

Suerte a todo el mundo: ¡El reloj está corriendo!

Special Guest Robert Dean at Annual Meeting 2015

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Pepe Castiblanco, naturalist guide and co-owner of Casa Botania, with Robert Dean (photo by Harry Hull).

Pepe Castiblanco, naturalist guide and co-owner of Casa Botania, with Robert Dean (photo by Harry Hull).

Illustrator of The Birds of Costa Rica and The Birds of Panama, Robert Dean was the featured guest at the SVBC Annual Meeting 2015.

Robert led a Bird Walk at the Wilson Botanical Garden on the morning of the meeting, Saturday, Feb. 21, that ended with an all-time high species count of 65!

Following the walk, members adjourned to Cascata del Bosco for a mid-morning brunch. At the business meeting, President Alison Olivieri summed up club activities in 2014, Treasurer Fred Schroeder gave a financial report for fiscal year 2014, BirdSleuth-International Teacher Roni Chernin provided a detailed report on the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology Education Program in local schools and Communications Chairman Harry Hull reported statistics from our website.

Brunch dessert! (Photo by Jean Schroeder)

Brunch dessert! (Photo by Jean Schroeder)

Big Bird Feeder Competition

A Consolation Prize was given to Gail and Harry Hull of Finca Cantaros for the unhappy appearance of Species #27and #28 two days after the official closing date. Wendy Russell took Second Runner Up with 25 species. The feeders at El Tangaral made Greg Homer First Runner Up with 28 species but Roni Chernin swept First Place with her bananas from Finca Paz y Flor! Congratulations to all and let’s beat Roni’s 28 in 2016!

Additionally, members faced a challenging Bird ID Quiz created by Member Jo Davidson featuring her photos of 40 species commonly seen in and around San Vito. ONLY our guest, Mr. Dean, correctly identified 100% of the birds!

Robert then spoke about his role in creating a new field guide, The Birds of Costa Rica, with Richard Garrigues nine years ago. The newly revised edition published in January  was available for members so Robert finished the day by sharing his unpublished artwork and signing books, new and old!

A Bird Walk led by Robert Dean, top step with Julie Girard, kicked off the Annual Meeting 2015 (photo by Harry Hull).

A Bird Walk led by Robert Dean, top step with Julie Girard, kicked off the Annual Meeting 2015 (photo by Harry Hull).

Ernie Vogt 1942-2015

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The Man Who Loved and Planted Trees

The SVBC Annual Meeting 2015 was dedicated to Member Ernie Vogt who never failed to encourage and generously support the Club’s activities during his and Lydia’s time here with us in San Vito.

ERNIE VOGT 1942-2015

ERNIE VOGT 1942-2015

While the rest of us were walking around, peering through our binoculars, oohing and aahing: “Oh, it’s a White-throated Spadebill” and “Ooooo, look, a Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant”, Ernie was busy planting trees. We understand, after talking with Lydia about this on several occasions, that Ernie was always fascinated by trees. Many of you know they had an avocado orchard in California. Many of you also know that Ernie started planting trees the year they arrived – 2009 – and that year managed to put 500 new trees into the forest at Finca Sofia. Eventually, the number of trees he planted grew to 2,000.

Ernie appreciated birds and even got excited about them. But Ernie knew that birds need trees – and he knew they’re not alone. We all need trees: insects, mammals, birds, reptiles and even rain forest fish need trees to survive. So, please raise your coffee cups to Ernie who understood the Big Picture in a way many of us do not. And let’s all plant trees this year and think of Ernie.

Lydia and Ernie birding at the Wilson Botanical Garden (photo by Alison Olivieri).

Lydia and Ernie birding at the Wilson Botanical Garden (photo by Alison Olivieri).

Jungle Pools and Rushing Water/Piscinas en la Selva y Agua Corriendo

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Thermal pool soakers (photo by Julie Girard).

Thermal pool soakers (photo by Julie Girard).

The recent day trip with Desafios Tour to Aguas Calientes and Finca La Libertad was a “birdy” and watery wonderful time! Everyone succumbed to the beauty of the two main thermal pools, secluded in the forest next to the fast-moving water of the Rio Coto. Members enjoyed the morning soaking in the warm water, hiking further into the woods to find a third pool, photographing local flora and fauna and just sitting on the huge rocks, chatting and enjoying the scenic backdrop.

Our very first bird was an obligingly perched Purple Crowned Fairy, seen well and by everybody. Other avian highlights included a likewise perched Double-toothed Kite and a sweep of ‘pecho amarillos’: Great Kiskadee, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Gray-capped Flycatcher and Tropical Kingbird.

Purple-crowned Fairy (photo by Jeff Worman).

Purple-crowned Fairy (photo by Jeff Worman).

 

Our leader from Desafios, Henry Barrantes, then led us to his family’s huge farm, Finca La Libertad, where we had a delicious lunch cooked by his wife, Francini, and served by his daughter Valeria who also accompanied us on our previous Desafios Tour at Los Chocuacos.

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¡El reciente tour de un día con Desafíos Tour a Aguas Calientes y a la Finca La Libertad fue un “aviario” y acuoso momento increíble! Todo el mundo sucumbió a la belleza de las dos piscinas termales principales, aisladas en el bosque junto a la rápida corriente del Río Coto. Los miembros disfrutaron la mañana empapándose en el agua cálida, adentrándose en el bosque en busca de una tercera piscina, tomando fotografías de la flora y fauna locales y sentándose en las enormes rocas para hablar y observar el escénico ambiente.

Balancing act (photo by Julie Girard).

Balancing act (photo by Julie Girard).

Nuestro primer pájaro fue un colibrí picopunzón amablemente posado y visto fácilmente por todo el mundo. Otras aves destacables incluyeron un gavilán bidentado posado de la misma forma y  variedad de “pecho amarillos”: benteveo, mosquerón picudo, benteveo mediano, bienteveo cabecigrís y el benteveo real.

Nuestro líder de Desafíos, Henry Barrantes, nos guio luego a la enorme granja de su familia, Finca La Libertad, donde compartimos un delicioso almuerzo hecho por su esposa, Francini, y servido por su hija Valeria, quien nos acompañó también en nuestro tour con Desafíos a Los Chocuacos.

 

 

Annual Meeting 2015 on Saturday, Feb. 21/¡Reunión Anual 2015 el 21 de febrero!

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Please join us at this year’s Annual Meeting, Saturday, Feb. 21. We will begin the day with a Bird Walk at the Wilson Botanical Garden, starting at 7:30 am at the Reception Building – please note this is not our usual meeting place! The walk will be led by our Special Guest Robert Dean, illustrator of The Birds of Costa Rica.

New, revised edition of The Birds of Costa Rica by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean

New, revised edition of The Birds of Costa Rica by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean

At 10:30 am, we will adjourn to Cascata del Bosco for brunch followed by the general meeting. This year we will dedicate our gathering to Ernie Vogt. The agenda will include reports by Treasurer Fred Schroeder, ‘Detectives de Pajaros’ Head Teacher Roni Chernin and Communications Committee Chair Harry Hull, a vote to approve 2015 slate of officers, a special surprise event, and a chat and book signing with Robert focusing on his inspiration to illustrate this invaluable field guide, artistic methods and more. Note the meeting is for members only so if you would like to attend but have not as yet paid your annual dues for 2015 — Resident Members $20 or C10,000; International Members $15 or C7,500 — please bring them!

Brunch will cost C5,000 (or $10) per person and will include fresh fruit, fancy eggs, hash browned potatoes, juice, tea, coffee and dessert.

We need a final count for Cascatas by the morning of Friday, Feb. 20, so PLEASE send an email to: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com or click here to let us know you will attend!

¡Reunión Anual 2015 el 21 de febrero!

Por favor acompáñenos en la próxima Reunión Anual el sábado 21 de febrero. Comenzaremos el día con una caminata para ver pájaros en el Jardín Botánico Wilson, saliendo a las 7:30 am en el Edificio de la Recepción – ¡Por favor note que este no es nuestro punto de reunión usual! La caminata será guiada por nuestro Invitado Especial, Robert Dean, ilustrador de The Birds of Costa Rica.

A las 10:03 am, nos retiraremos a Cascata del Bosco para un desayuno tardío seguido de la reunión general que será dedicada a Ernie Vogt este año. La agenda incluirá reportes del Tesorero Fred Schroeder, La Profesora Principal de “Detectives de Pájaros”; Roni Chernin y el Presidente del Comité de Comunicaciones; Harry Hull, una votación para aprobar la nómina de oficiales para el 2015, un evento sorpresa especial y firma de libros y charla con Robert enfocada en su inspiración para ilustrar esta invaluable guía de cambio, métodos artísticos y demás.

Este evento es solamente para miembros así que, si no ha pagado sus cuotas para 2015 pero le gustaría asistir, por favor esté preparado para pagar en la reunión (C10,000 miembros residentes).

El almuerzo tardío costará C5,000 (o $10) por persona e incluirá fruta fresca, huevos elegantes, picadillo de papas doradas, jugo, té, café y postre.

Necesitamos un número final de participantes para Cascatas para la mañana del viernes 20 de febrero, ¡Así que POR FAVOR envíe un correo electrónico a: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com o haga clic aquí para dejarnos saber que va a asistir!

 

Trip to Aguas Calientes and Finca La Libertad on Thursday, February 12

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Please join us Thursday, Feb. 12 for a day trip to Aguas Calientes and Finca La Libertad. Once again, we will meet at the cemetery in San Vito to consolidate car pooling. Please be there no later than 8:15 am.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in flight. Photo by Julie Girard.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in flight. Photo by Julie Girard.

Our first stop will be Aguas Calientes, a natural thermal pool near Gutierrez Braun on the way to Amistad Park. We will bird around the entrance and along the path to the pool. In the past we have seen many species of migrants there including American Redstarts, Ovenbirds, Black-and-white warblers, Kentucky Warblers, Northern Waterthrushes plus local hummingbirds and Sulphur-winged Parakeets. Please bring bathing suits and a towel if you’d like to take a dip in the pool!

We’ll travel from there to Finca La Libertad, a working farm belonging to the Barrantes family where we will have a tour of the fruit orchard and vegetable garden and do some birding on the forest edge. A tasty Tico lunch will be provided while we feast our eyes on the beautiful Talamanca Mountains.

At $25 per person, a minimum of six people will be needed to run the trip with a maximum of 12 as space is somewhat limited at the pool. Please let us know ASAP if you would like to attend by sending an email to: sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com  First come, first served!

This adventure is for members only so if you would like to participate but have not paid your dues for 2015, please bring them with you! Hope to see you there!

A Fine Foray to Los Chocuacos!/Una Buena Incursión a Los Chocuacos!

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Boat-billed Heron, un chocuaco (photo by Jeff Worman).

Boat-billed Heron, un chocuaco (photo by Jeff Worman).

Desafios Tour, a local company offering interesting tours in and around San Vito, helped us plan a great day trip to the Boat-billed Heron colony near Paso Real on Friday, January 23, 2015. We had two guides from Desafios, owner-operator Henry Barrantes and his assistant Justyn Rodriguez, who arranged trip details and helped our 14-member group see Red-eared Slider turtles, a Forest Giant dragonfly, Least Grebes, Purple Gallinules, Neotropical Cormorants, one Northern Jacana, Green Herons, Boat-billed Herons by the tree-full and the (surprise!) Bird of the Day: Sungrebe, found by Greg Homer!

SUNGREBE! (Photo by Jeff Worman)

SUNGREBE! (Photo by Jeff Worman)

Other notable “landlubber” birds included Olivaceous Piculet, Plain Xenops, molting Summer Tanager, duetting Riverside Wrens, and Steaked Flycatcher.

We have not visited Los Chocuacos in several years and the owner, Miguel Antonio Lopes, has made some improvements including a covered dock extending out onto the lake where we were able to set up our scope to get additional views of the Sungrebe. The two swimming pools were a nice attraction for some as was lunch: a fresh tilapia casado with patacones, rice, salad and a big shot of Rompopo for dessert.

P.S. Wally Barton gets a free beer next time for correctly answering an Avian Pop Quiz: what family of birds has the most feathers? Yes, penguins!

SVBC at Los Chocuacos (photo by Henry Barrantes).

SVBC at Los Chocuacos (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Participants: from left to right Jo Davidson, Terry Farling, Wendy Russell Bernstein, Julie Girard, Alison Olivieri, Wally Barton, Barbara Keeler Barton, kneeling Greg Homer, Helen LeVasseur, Portia Wilkinson, Roni Chernin, Denise Worman, Jeff Worman and Pat Morgan.

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Desafíos Tour, una compañía local que ofrece tours interesantes en y alrededor de San Vito, nos ayudó a planear un grandioso viaje de un día a la colonia de garzas pico de bota cercana a Paso Real viernes, 23 enero 2015. Tuvimos dos guías de Desafíos, el dueño-operador Henry Barrantes y su asistente Justyn Rodriguez, quienes arreglaron los detalles del viaje y ayudaron a nuestro grupo de 14 miembros a ver tortugas de orejas rojas, una libélula gigante de bosque, zampullines macacitos, cormoranes neotropicales, una jacana del norte, garcitas verdosas, arzas pico de bota y (¡Sorpresa!) el Pájaro del Día: ¡El avesol americano, encontrado por Greg Homer!

Neotropical Cormorant (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Neotropical Cormorant (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Otros pájaros terrestres destacables incluyeron al carpinterito olivo, el picolezna menudo, una tangara veranera mudando, un dueto de soterreyes pechibarreteados y el bienteveo rayado.

No habíamos visitado Los Chocuacos en varios años y el dueño, Miguel Antonio Lopes, ha hecho unas lindas mejoras incluyendo un muelle cubierto que se extiende hacia dentro del lago donde pudimos establecer nuestro campo de visión con el fin de tener vistas adicionales del avesol americano. Las dos piscinas fueron un gran atractivo para algunos, al igual que el almuerzo: un casado de tilapia fresca con patacones, arroz, ensalada y un gran vaso de Rompope para el postre.

P.D. Wally Barton obtiene una cerveza gratis la próxima vez por responder correctamente el Examen sorpresa aviario: ¿Cuál familia de pájaros tiene la mayor cantidad de plumas? ¡Sí, los pingüinos!

A beautiful, birdy site -- Los Chocuacos is near Paso Real (photo by Henry Barrantes).

A beautiful, birdy site — Los Chocuacos is near Paso Real (photo by Henry Barrantes).

Participantes: Barb y Wally Barton, Roni Chernin, Jo Davidson, Terry Farling, Julie Girard, Helen y Greg Homer, Pat Morgan, Alison Olivieri, Wendy Russell Bernstein, Portia Wilkinson, Denise y Jeff Worman.

2nd Annual Big Birdfeeder Competition/2ª Gran Competencia Anual de Comederos de Pájaros!

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This year’s Big Birdfeeder Competition will run from January 14 through February 14 – one month to watch your feeder and make a list of all the species you see landing there or foraging underneath.

“Bird feeder” is defined by fruit (or other appropriate bird food) placed in the same spot for the duration of the contest. The odd hummingbird (or other non-feeding species) that lands on the feeder can be counted as can any bird that actively feeds on dropped scraps underneath but you may NOT count a bird randomly hopping under the feeder with no active feeding behavior.

Fiery-billed Aracari, first class feeder bird. Photo by Terry Farling.

Fiery-billed Aracari, first class feeder bird. Photo by Terry Farling.

Member Pat Morgan won the First Competition last year with 25 species! Let’s see if you can beat her record in 2015!

Please submit your list by February 19 to sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com – the winner will be announced (and prizes handed out) at the 2015 Annual Meeting on February 21.

READY? SET? GO!

Este año la Gran Competencia de Comederos de Pájaros será desde el 14 de enero hasta el 14 de febrero – un mes para observar su comedero y hacer una lista de todas las especies que vea posándose o buscando alimento en él.

Un “Comedero de Pájaros” comprende fruta (u otro alimento apropiado para pájaros) colocado en el mismo lugar durante todo el concurso. El extraño colibrí que se pose en el comedero (o otro especies solo visitando) puede ser contado como cualquier otro pájaro que se alimenta activamente de los residuos caídos del comedero pero no puede contarse un pájaro que brinca de forma espontánea bajo el alimentador sin mostrar comportamiento alguno de estarse alimentando activamente.

¡La miembro Pat Morgan ganó la Primera Competencia el año pasado con 25 especies! ¡Vamos a ver si usted puede batir su record en 2015!

Por favor envíe su lista antes del 19 de febrero a sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com – el ganador será anunciado (con premios) en la Reunión Anual 2015 el 21 de febrero.

¿EN SUS MARCAS? ¿LISTOS? ¡FUERA!

Happy New Year 2015! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo 2015!

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December's Double Rainbow in Linda Vista. Photo by Jo Davidson.

December’s Double Rainbow in Linda Vista. Photo by Jo Davidson.

We begin the New Year with a Membership Drive, so please don’t forget to pay your annual dues as soon as possible: International Membership $15 per person; Resident Dues are $20 per person.

While you are thinking about your SVBC membership, please also consider supporting our innovative education program, “Detectives de Pajaros”. This year we hope to have four teachers to present the class in at least 10 schools. One complete program of 10 lessons plus a community project for the school costs $350. We’re counting on your support for continued success in local schools!

The Big Birdfeeder Competition will begin January 14 and go for one month, ending on Valentine’s Day, February 14. You will then have a week to submit your birdfeeder counts as the winner will be announced at the Annual Meeting 2015 on February 21.

Here is a recap of the rules: the idea is to count the MOST species at your birdfeeder in a month. A “birdfeeder” can include just a hanging bunch of bananas but the location must remain constant for the month. Any bird that lands on the feeder is countable – yes, even a hummingbird or other oddity. Birds under the feeder that are actually feeding also qualify but not birds that accidentally land or hop there. Remember: this is an Honor System Competition!

We will provide details about the upcoming Annual Meeting in subsequent posts. In the meantime, the SVBC wishes you Good Birding in 2015!

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Empezamos el Año Nuevo con una Campaña de Membresía, así que por favor no olvide pagar sus cuotas anuales tan pronto como le sea posible: la Membresía Internacional es de $15 por persona; las Cuotas Residentes son de $20 por persona.

Mientras está pensando en su membresía al SVBC, por favor considere también apoyar nuestro innovador programa educativo, “Detectives de Pájaros”. Este año esperamos tener cuatro maestros para dar la clase en al menos 10 escuelas. Un programa completo de 10 lecciones más un proyecto comunal para la escuela cuesta $350. ¡Estamos contando con su apoyo para el éxito continuo en las escuelas locales!

La Gran Competencia de Comederos de Pájaros va a comenzar el 14 de enero y durará un mes, terminando el 14 de febrero, Día de San Valentín.  Usted tendrá entonces una semana para enviar los conteos de su comedero de aves ya que el ganador será anunciado el 21 de febrero en la Reunión Anual 2015.

Aquí hay una recapitulación de las reglas: la idea es contar la MAYOR CANTIDAD de especies en su comedero de pájaros en un mes. Un “comedero  de pájaros” puede ser sólo un montón de bananas colgadas pero la ubicación deberá ser constante durante el mes. Cualquier pájaro que se pose en el comedero cuenta – sí, incluso un colibrí o cualquier otra rareza. Los pájaros debajo del comedero que están comiendo del mismo también califican pero no los pájaros que accidentalmente se posan o saltan ahí. Recuerde: ¡Esta es una Competición con Sistema de Honor!

Proveeremos detalles sobre la próxima Reunión Anual en mensajes subsecuentes. Mientras tanto, el SVBC le desea ¡Una buena Observación de Pájaros en 2015!

 

1st Annual Volunteer Thank You Lunch/Primer Almuerzo de Agradecimiento a los Voluntarios

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As the rainy season draws to a close we decided it was time to thank members who’ve volunteered time, energy and supplies over the past several years with a special Volunteer Thank You Lunch at OTS Las Cruces!

Whether it was painting faces at the Festival Eco-Cultural and the Feria Brunka Emprende, baking and selling for our fund-raiser bake sales, contributing expertise to the Detectives de Pajaros community projects or anything else, we are extremely lucky to have these members who consistently, year after year, help the SVBC participate in community-based special events.

Horticulturist Dave Janas leading the Garden Walk November 8, 2014. Photo by Liz Allen.

Horticulturist Dave Janas leading the Garden Walk November 8, 2014. Photo by Liz Allen.

We have bird walks all the time but just prior to our lunch on Saturday, November 8, Dave Janas led us on a Garden Walk to the Cactus Garden, Cycad Hill, the Economy Garden and the Hummingbird Garden, pointing out interesting plants and answering all kinds of questions along the way. A trained horticulturist, Dave is new to the Wilson Botanical Garden — we all hope he will be here for some time to come!

Many of the “lunchees” signed up to help Dave twice a month with gardening projects that will renovate and beauty-up the botanical grounds. With a garden of this immense size, projects and needs for equipment and supplies never end so if you have time and energy to contribute, please contact Dave at davetheplantguy@gmail.com or click here to contact us or just send an email to sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com.

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Attendees at the SVBC Volunteer Thank You Lunch in November 2014. Photo by Liz Allen

Attendees at the SVBC Volunteer Thank You Lunch in November 2014. Photo by Liz Allen

Conforme la estación lluviosa se acerca a su fin, decidimos que era tiempo de agradecer a aquellos miembros que han aportado tiempo, energía y suministros durante los últimos años con ¡Un Almuerzo de Agradecimiento especial en la OET Las Cruces!

Ya fuese pintando caritas en el Festival Eco-Cultural y la Feria Brunka Emprende, horneando y vendiendo para nuestra venta para recaudar fondos, aportando experiencia a proyectos comunales de los Detectives de Pajaros o cualquier otra cosa, tenemos muchísima suerte de tener a estos miembros que consistentemente, año tras año, ayudan al SVBC participar en eventos especiales enfocados en la comunidad.

Tenemos caminatas para pajarear todo el tiempo pero, justo antes de nuestro almuerzo el sábado 8 de noviembre, Dave Janas nos guió en una Caminata de Jardín por los Jardines de Cactus, la Colina de las Cícadas, el Jardín de la Economía y el Jardín de Colibríes, señalando plantas interesantes y respondiendo toda clase de preguntas durante el camino. Dave es un horticultor entrenado nuevo en el Jardín Botánico Wilson ¡Todos esperamos que esté aquí por un tiempo más todavía!

Muchos de los “almorzadores” se inscribieron para ayudar a Dave dos veces al mes con proyectos de jardinería que van a renovar y embellecer los terrenos botánicos. Con un jardín de este inmenso tamaño, los proyectos y las necesidades de equipo nunca terminan. Así que, si usted tiene tiempo y energía para contribuir, por favor contacte a David a la dirección davetheplantguy@gmail.com o haga click aquí para contactarnos o envíe un correo electrónico a la dirección sanvitobirdclub@gmail.com.