A bit about Noel Ureña
Noel’s life long and abiding love of all things avian have naturally led him to a career as one of Costa Ricas best birding guides.
He has been delighting clients with his enthusiasm for birds since 2000. He is one of the countries top authorities on birds, bird identification and locales in Costa Rica.
If you have specific target birds the chances are very good that he will know where to find them.
His early interests resulted in a degree in ecotourism and environmental management which aided him in starting Tropical Feathers in 2004.
Noel has also managed the Fila Costera bird count area since 2003, producing some of the largest results of any bird count area in Costa Rica.
His ability to identify and respond to individual and often very quiet bird calls out of the cacophony of calls in the forest is uncanny. What puts paid to his skills is his ability to then actually find where that specific bird is.
Noel’s idea of a day off involves doing bird counts. He will often stay overnight in one of the many ranger stations dotted throughout the various parks and reserves. This gives him the chance to hit the trails well before the sun comes up.
Noel’s bird photographs grace not only the Tropical Feathers website, but publications and websites all over the country.
He has a genuine feel for the art of bird photography and knows what photographers need to get that special shot.
He is continually delighted at being in the field and always has a knowing sense of expectation of what’s around the next corner.
About Johan Fernandez
Johan Fernandez has worked as a guide for seven years, He is the creator and
organizer of the Christmas Bird Count of Carara National Park with the Audubon National Society,
in 2007 he reported by first time to Costa Rica the Pacific Golden Plover. Johan is co-founder
of the Costa Rican Ornithologists Union, where actively participates in the various bird
conservation programs, he currently studies the career Management and Protection of
Natural Resources in Costa Rica.
About Leonardo Garrigues
A birder since the age of six, Leonardo Garrigues has been
accumulating natural history experience all his life. In addition to studying Biology and Forest Engineering at the Universidad Nacional in
Costa Rica, he has been involved in various projects on the Osa Peninsula, where he has helped monitor Jaguars, White-lipped
Peccaries, and Harpy Eagles. He is also part of a team of recordists who are recording bird calls and other animal vocalizations in the Osa.
His guiding experience likewise began on the peninsula, where he led trips to Corcovado National Park. He has worked as local guide at
Rancho Naturalista in Costa Rica, as well as Tandayapa Birding Lodge and Wild Sumaco in Ecuador. Leo now leads birding and natural history
tours all over Costa Rica.
