Mike Melton
@mikemelton.bsky.social
All photos are my own and not AI.
I am a filmmaker and photographer based in Olympia, WA, and Bijagua, Costa Rica @casabentbill.bsky.social but I spend as much time as I can in hot, humid, tropical forests. Because that's where the birds are!
he/him
I am a filmmaker and photographer based in Olympia, WA, and Bijagua, Costa Rica @casabentbill.bsky.social but I spend as much time as I can in hot, humid, tropical forests. Because that's where the birds are!
he/him
There are at least four species of glass frogs at Tapir Valley. They can be tricky to spot, as some of them are kind of high above the creek.
November 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
There are at least four species of glass frogs at Tapir Valley. They can be tricky to spot, as some of them are kind of high above the creek.
It's all complicated with getting your focus, composition, light, and settings while standing in a stream. And checking for snakes, of course. Birds are much easier. 😂
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
It's all complicated with getting your focus, composition, light, and settings while standing in a stream. And checking for snakes, of course. Birds are much easier. 😂
I have some at my house, too. There's a very large influx of them right now in the area.
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I have some at my house, too. There's a very large influx of them right now in the area.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy them!
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy them!
This beauty has been visiting pretty consistently, but it's very stealthy. I put out one of my wireless security cameras in this spot so I'll get notified when it's patrolling. I still don't have a photo of it. I need to buy some ocelot chow or something.
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This beauty has been visiting pretty consistently, but it's very stealthy. I put out one of my wireless security cameras in this spot so I'll get notified when it's patrolling. I still don't have a photo of it. I need to buy some ocelot chow or something.
I really love the glass frogs. I'm trying to get better with my night photography, but it's much more difficult for me than birds.
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I really love the glass frogs. I'm trying to get better with my night photography, but it's much more difficult for me than birds.
They're such adorable little plovers!
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
They're such adorable little plovers!
This Julian. He just turned three and he's a sweetie.
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This Julian. He just turned three and he's a sweetie.
That's its name! 😂
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM
That's its name! 😂
Yeah, I was a terrible client. I just jumped out, but the area was pretty open.
That was one of the most difficult parts of birding in South Africa, being stuck in a car. I was trying to drive, navigate, ebird, and position the car allow me to get a shot. It's so nice to be able to get out and walk
That was one of the most difficult parts of birding in South Africa, being stuck in a car. I was trying to drive, navigate, ebird, and position the car allow me to get a shot. It's so nice to be able to get out and walk
November 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Yeah, I was a terrible client. I just jumped out, but the area was pretty open.
That was one of the most difficult parts of birding in South Africa, being stuck in a car. I was trying to drive, navigate, ebird, and position the car allow me to get a shot. It's so nice to be able to get out and walk
That was one of the most difficult parts of birding in South Africa, being stuck in a car. I was trying to drive, navigate, ebird, and position the car allow me to get a shot. It's so nice to be able to get out and walk
Oh, man, dung beetles! I was so excited when I saw my first one in South Africa that I jumped out of the car to get some photos. Our guide was not happy about that. I didn't get eaten by a lion, so it worked out.
November 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Oh, man, dung beetles! I was so excited when I saw my first one in South Africa that I jumped out of the car to get some photos. Our guide was not happy about that. I didn't get eaten by a lion, so it worked out.
Anis eat insects that the tapirs flush from the grasses and they'll also eat ticks off the tapirs.
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Anis eat insects that the tapirs flush from the grasses and they'll also eat ticks off the tapirs.
It's possible! I always think it's funny when I see my Wilson's warblers in Washington and then come down here in the Wilson's show up after migration.
November 9, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It's possible! I always think it's funny when I see my Wilson's warblers in Washington and then come down here in the Wilson's show up after migration.
We don't get those in the Northwest and so I only get to see them here in Costa Rica or if I happen to be in Texas birding. There's such a delight!
November 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We don't get those in the Northwest and so I only get to see them here in Costa Rica or if I happen to be in Texas birding. There's such a delight!