We were sitting on the patio yesterday talking, and suddenly Joel hollered TOUCAN! He spotted it as it flew through the yard and landed on our orange tree. I grabbed the camera and headed into the yard thinking it was in my neighbor’s orange tree until Joel made me realize it was in our tree, not 10 feet from where I was standing and I had better not move one more inch!
This is a Fiery-Billed Aracari, an unusual type of toucan only found in southwestern Panama and southern Costa Rica. We have only seen them a couple times before high in the trees behind our house. What a surprise to have one land right in our yard! I couldn’t believe I was that close to it.
In a few minutes it flew into my neighbor’s yard just over the fence, which made for a better photo.
After that it flew to the big tree behind our house and then into the woods beyond. The cyclist visiting us a few days ago said she saw them in the woods, so maybe they are hanging out in our area right now. We see a lot of cool stuff here, but a rare visit from this colorful and exotic bird is a real treat indeed!
The Panama Adventure 
You were lucky to get that shot. Maybe you’ll see more of them if they’re hanging out close by.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
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Oh yes indeed I was! I hope I see more of them too 🙂
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Nice shots.
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Thanks!
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What a beautiful bird, you are so lucky to see one in your yard. One of the great benifits of living in Panama. We saw a few were we stayed in David, but never one so colorful as this one.
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You saw some other kinds? Very cool! These are the only ones we have seen here, and even those don’t come here often.
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Oh, he is beautiful!!
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Yes indeed, he sure is!
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Beautiful Kris!
http://www.factzoo.com/birds/aracari-medium-sized-toucan.html
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Great link, thanks! According to that, they could be living near here and maybe nesting. I will have to watch for them.
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Kris, How amazing to watch a toucan from your patio. I love birds but have a cat who loves them for different reasons:((.
I have been enmeshed with repairs and installing a tank, etc., which means my time has not been my own,but it looks like there will be a lull soon and I hope we can meet “for real”. I do enjoy your posts and your creativity. Hasta pronto, Carol
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I was just thinking of you as I biked home today! The days fly by, then it’s weeks. Let me know when things settle down and I’ll come by. Or, if I can find out where these toucans are living we’ll go look for them together (without the cat 😀 )
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What a lucky shot! And, what a gorgeous bird.
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Yes for sure, an exciting afternoon!
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Wow…timing is everything! Nothing wrong with Joel’s eyes!
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He is definitely good at spotting things
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