Birds of Costa Rica/Sam Merrill

Costa Rica, with an area less than that of West Virginia, has approximately the same number of bird species as the United States.  With forests that range from dry to very wet and elevations from sea level on both the Pacific and the Atlantic to a central spine that rises to over 12,000 feet, and much rugged terrain in between, the land supports many different habitats.  Costa Rica has had no army and a relatively stable government for over 60 years and has many national parks and eco-lodges.  Sam Merrill will illustrate his presentation of a two-week guided birding trip to Costa Rica with his photos of tropical specialties of this fascinating country, such as the Collared Aracari, the Montezuma Oropendola, and the Turquoise-browed Motmot.

Sam Merrill has a lifelong interest in birds and has been active in Audubon for the past twenty years; he is currently Conservation Chair of the Black Hills chapter.  Retired from college teaching, he holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and does research in mathematics and political science.