Majestic Feathers / Testimonials

3/1/11
"We wanted to convey to you that we had a marvelous trip to Costa Rica with Edwin Ramirez and Enrique Gomez (our bus owner and driver). They were a great team and both of them are wonderful individuals and we think of them daily.

Edwin was incredible as he led us to 436 species of magnificent birds, 301 of which were life birds for us. In addition, his comprehensive knowledge of the total ecology of each life zone, the history and culture of the country and his obvious love, dedication and passion for his work overwhelmed us. Thank you for all that you did to make this trip-of-a-lifetime possible.

During conversations with Edwin, we got the impression that he may also guide trips to Peru and Ecuador. If these trips are done through Majestic Feathers, please keep us informed because we would be very interested in participating."

This is to let you know that the Costa Rica birding trip met all our expectations. Edwin is the consummate leader with expert birding skills and perceptive people skills. He was joined by his good friend, Enrique (Kike) Gomez, as our delightful driver.

The accommodations were fine and Edwin modified the itinerary as necessary - taking the birding opportunities and the participants' needs into consideration. Thanks for your role in organizing and planning the trip.

Edwin wore one of your Majestic Feathers hats in gray (with the toucan on the front) on some days. I would love to buy one if they are still available.


Photos by Susan Stern, February 2011 tour participant

3/2/11 Kathleen:
" I am writing you to thank you for the wonderful trip planning for my recent trip to Costa Rica. I tagged along with my sister's Audubon Club from California and had a once in a lifetime experience. You have located a diamond in the rough with the tour guide, Edwin! He has such a dynamic personality and exudes positive energy.

I would also like to add that the driver for our tour was the best too! Enrique Gomez was so attentive to our needs and concerned for our safety and welfare. These two men together made this trip so memorable. I know they have been close friends for many years but they work so well together---it makes it appear as though this is not a JOB to them!

Please add me to the ongoing communications about the Majestic Feathers trip upcoming trips to Galapagos, Ecuador and Peru with Edwin. This would be another place that I would love to experience and I cannot imagine going with a better guide. If I canТt work out going this year, I certainly would line it up for 2012. Please keep me posted. Again, I thank you for all the hard work and orchestrating all the details! I am looking forward to my next trip!"

"The gardens at the Hotel Bougainvillea Х Nature Air flight to Palmar Sur Х Round rocks Уancient spheresФ and birds in the nearby park Х Two owl species in the parkЧFerruginous Pygmy-Owl and a pair of Tropical Screech-Owls Х Old steam locomotive across the street from the park Х CherrieТs Tanagers copulating and a Lineated Woodpecker excavating a hole near the УfootbridgeФ on the way to La Gamba Х Green Vine Snake in Esquinas Х BairdТs Trogon pair at Esquinas Х American Pygmy Kingfisher at Esquinas ХGray-necked Wood-Rails copulating at Esquinas Х Hot walk up a canyon for the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager Х Fiery-billed Aracari copulation at Esquinas Х A Tamandua Anteater at Esquinas ХTrip to Crested Oropendula nests and birding on the La Gamba Road ХBar Los Cotrillos at La Gamba Х Platform Feeders at Wilson Gardens, Silver-throated, Speckled and Golden-hooded Tanagers Х Food and service at Talari with feeder platforms, Red-legged Honeycreeper ХPearl Kite eating a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird near San Isidro de General Х Alexander SkutchТs House Х 11,000Т mountain pass above GeorginaТs restaurant and hummingbird feeders Х The drive down to Savegre Х The news of Eugenia during our meetings with her Х The whole Savegre experience, especially the Resplendent Quetzal and Costa Rica Pygmy-Owl Х Afternoon birding in Savegre rain ХMiriam letting us use her bathrooms and then selling us coffee and rolls! ХLong-tailed Silky-Flycatchers Х Lunch at La Foresta Nature Resort in Quepos Х The Pauraque dance at Villa Lapas Х A Coatimundi seen at Carara NP and other places ХMangos and watermelon after CararaХBoat ride on rio Tarcolis with mangrovesЧa 5-Kingfisher day Х Prothonotary and Mangrove Warblers, Northern Waterthrushes on the banks of the Mangrove channel Х Hundreds of Spotted Sandpipers moving down the Mangrove channel as the late afternoon tide rose. They were standing wall-to-wall on a rocky bar out by the river mouth of the rio Tarcolis Х Waiting in the bus at night for Edwin, during УOwlingФ after the boat rideЧa family looking at us from their front door, a drive-by recorded public announcement of a calendar girl show for the following night Х Visit to the cattle ranch with Snail Kites, crocodile with iguana in its jaws, Spectacled Owls, Jabirus on nests with young ХУCrocodiles swim betterФ Х Breakfast on the way to the cattle ranch Х Late afternoon walk up the hill to the Sky Walk gate at Villa Lapas after the cattle ranch trip Х Sitting in the chapel at Villa Lapas with the frog pond altar Х Pale-billed Woodpecker above Villa Lapas during early birding Х Edwin singingЧУDonТt give up your day jobФХ Mola Shopping Х Meal experience at Rancho Naturalista ХThe bus ride with Hazel to see afternoon birds Х Hummers at Rancho Naturalista and ValentineТs Day Х Relaxed atmosphere of Sueno Azul Х Hot, humid walks with Rudolfo in La Selva, cold Coke with lunch Х SlothsЧlook for two or three toes on their fore paws Х Cinnamon Woodpecker excavating a nest, White-necked Puffbird pair doing the same, Jacamar, watching soccer on a wet field, Sungrebe, Semi-Plumbeous Hawk, the tallest tree in La Selva, a 52-meter Cola de Pavo Х My question to Edwin, УDo Puffbirds suffer from a higher cancer rate than non-smoking birds?Ф ХNorthward Turkey Vulture migration seen from La Selva Х 2nd morning early birding alone at Sueno Azul, Ringed Kingfisher, Short-tailed Nighthawk, a rainbow ХThe Howler Monkey alarm clock at 5:20 AM Х The Arenal Hanging Bridges Х An Eye-browed Pit Viper (brown) on the Sky Walk Х Emerald and Rufous-winged Tanagers, Purple-crowned Fairy from a suspension bridge Х Arenal Volcano Х Walk at Arenal Observatory Lodge and the hummingbirds, especially the Violet-headed Hummingbird on her nest Х Camaraderie with Edwin, Kike and KikeТs brother, Ricardo, Corazon de Leon Х Plants growing on plants, fecundity of the forestЧflowers everywhere Х Meeting EdwinТs wife and daughter Х Thanking the cooks at our birding placesЧEsquinas, Wilson Garden, Talari, Villa Lapas, Rancho Naturalista, Sueno Azul Х Farewell to Edwin Х УQue pais!ФЧУWhat a country!Ф

"I still have a little Costa Rica in me, and thatТs a good thing. The tropical rainforest was kind of sensory overload, but I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I feel so lucky to have had Edwin for a guide; he must be the nicest guy in Costa Rica. The driver Enrique is a close second. CouldnТt have been better and worked really hard to get us the birds. Edwin is so very knowledgeable about so many things, and so very personable. Just a great time!

I learned something about myself: seventeen days of birding is too much for me! Galapagos sounds so interesting, but I donТt do boats. And my next birding trip needs to be shorter. But I would not have traded the trip and meeting Edwin for anything. Thanks so much for putting the trip together. I will be happy to recommend Majestic Feathers to anyone."

"I enjoyed a fantastic trip to Costa Rica in March-April, 2010 with Kathleen Cameron's Majestic Feathers. I have birded extensively in Central and South America, but this was my first trip to Costa Rica. On the first day we flew from San Jose to the southwest coast, which provided a view of forest fragmentation, but also of extensive tracts of continuous forest. Costa Rica has many areas protected in National Parks, one of which extends from near sea level to over 9,000 feet. In fact, over 26% of the land is under protection, thus safeguarding more than five percent of the world's biodiversity. This is the largest percentage of protected land for any country in the world. I was so happy to learn of this and see it because such extensive tracts of undisturbed forest will be absolutely required for the movement of flora and fauna with the expected global warming changes in the near future.

Our guide, Edwin Ramirez was a tremendous asset. He has great knowledge about the history of Costa Rica and its conservation needs, and he knows all the birds well. I was impressed that he never used tapes or an iPod to lure the birds in; rather he knew the calls and patiently waited for each species. His enthusiasm for sharing the birds is indeed contagious. We found 395 species in two weeks, of which 79 were lifers for me. Even though it is always a thrill to see new birds, I must admit that I was even more excited to see our nesting birds heading north. This brought me even more connectivity, and it felt good to see their tropical homes intact. Kathleen shared guide duties with Edwin and on several evenings conducted hour-long photographic lessons, with take home work to practice with our cameras. She is an excellent photographer and my camera skills were greatly improved by her expertise. As if this weren't enough, after the trip she sent everyone a CD with outstanding pictures of several birds as well as of the participants. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in birds and photography, and in seeing a beautiful tropical country."

"The reasons for my emphatically positive impression of Majestic Feathers are twofold:

First is the companyТs concern about the environment. Kathleen and Edwin recognize the interconnectedness of all nature. They understand the importance of thinking about the total picture of cause and effect by man on nature. They strive, following a classic grassroots concept of neighbors talking with neighbors, to explain how small changes can make the difference between species survival and extinction. It was eye-opening to have Edwin tell us how he works to convince community residents to plant one row of trees on their fence-lines so that monkeys, birds and other animals have a highway to move between nature reserves. So simple! He explains that the quantity and quality of the harvests will not be altered but that the positive impact on the wild animals will be life-saving. It brings to mind John MuirТs remark: "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world".

Second is the excellent tour organization and the knowledge that Edwin and Kathleen share about birds, other animals, botany and ecology. Having had the opportunity to travel with internationally known and respected birdwatchers as guides, I know that EdwinТs knowledge and ability to share his knowledge is comparable to anybody elseТs with whom weТve traveled. He is competent, unendingly patient, energizing and passionate about his country and the natural world. Accommodations are excellent and back-up plans have been considered which insured that the last few days of our tour were a success despite country-wide floods. I very much look forward to traveling with Majestic Feathers again."

"I am Dendroica petechia, commonly known as Yellow Warbler. I am wearing an aluminum leg-band engraved with a series of numbers indicating where and when I was captured in a mist net by licensed bird banders. I build my nest each year in the brushy riparian habitat along the banks of the Little Spokane River in NE Washington State, USA, about 90 miles south of the Canada/U.S. border. My leg band can be referenced in detailed records showing that I have returned to this breeding ground for the third year in a row. I am what banders call a УrecaptureФ and it is here I fledged three years ago and where I build my nest for my own offspring each year. The habitat is perfect for my insect/caterpillar foraging needs. My nest area is on protected land which will remain intact in perpetuity even though it is land prized by developers and dam builders. I survive thanks to the foresight of intelligent planners.

Like some humans, I am a long-distance traveler. Each year I leave my northern breeding ground in midsummer and fly thousands of miles to winter in the neo-tropical habitats associated with mangrove forests. I winter in Costa Rica while others of my species find suitable habitat in Mexico and other areas of Central America. Costa Rica is a forward-thinking country that depends on tourism to bolster its economy. Visitors are drawn by the climate, the culture, the cuisine, the geography and the flora and fauna. Conscientious and knowledgeable tour leaders , such as Edwin Ramiriz of Majestic Feathers, guide small groups around Costa Rica locating and sharing the incredible number of avian species that reside here. Edwin draws his visitors into the intricate web of life of his country and he does so with an intensity and enthusiasm that is boundless. His goal is to preserve and restore his countryТs natural habitats while informing the human visitors of the connection between sustainability with over-population and habitat loss.

On my behalf, and that of other neo-tropical species traveling thousands of miles twice a year, Majestic Feathers also has a state-side leader, Kathleen Cameron, who coordinates travel for tourists to and from Costa Rica. In addition she informs many groups throughout the western United States about the importance of unhampered connectivity between regions for birds as they travel to and from their summer and winter grounds. Her photography and video presentations excite the armchair traveler as well as serve as an invitation to a country in Central America which receives high marks for its eco-tourism industry.

Come see where I liveЕfocus your binoculars on my leg band Ц the numbers will be too small to read, but you will know that I have covered a lot of ground in my three years and that I have a home, intact, waiting for me on my return!"

-Yellow Warbler
October 2010
Submitted on behalf of neo-tropical species that winter in Costa Rica by Tina Wynecoop, Washington

"Costa Rica...a dream destination for so many birders...We'd told ourselves we'd plan an "independent trip." After all, we're knowledgeable birders; some, fluent in Spanish. Life kept happening and we didn't get around to it. Am I ever glad we didn't! We'd only heard of Majestic Feathers from a birding friend, Cindy McCormack, who raved about the trip she'd taken. If I'd had time, we'd have researched it, checked the company's past history, etc. It was the crazy-busy time of year, at Christmas so we didn't...check, I mean. What we did do was sign up on blind faith. Am I ever glad we did!

A dozen of our local Audubon members joined tour leader, Kathleen Cameron, a professional photographer, on a trip designed by her and her Costa Rican tour guide, Edwin Ramirez, on a 14-day birding expedition that covered most parts of the country. Adjectives don't do justice to it. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, set in places where birds were outside the windows. The food was excellent, with enough variety to satisfy different tastes and needs. Best of all were the guides, Edwin and his driver sidekick, Enrique. Their knowledge of the country, plants and animals as well as birds, was remarkable. Of the 880 birds to be seen in Costa Rica, we saw almost half in a two-week trip. Some were fleeting glimpses, but most were satisfying looks.

The nesting Repentant Quetzals were my biggest thrill, but the Jabirus weren't far behind. I'm sure each participant would have a different "favorite" on the list.

I cannot recommend this group highly enough. They don't have a 20-year history. What they DO have is an outstanding operation, in which almost every detail has been addressed. They have a commitment to excellence and to environmental stewardship which results in satisfied customers who will return. "

In July of 2010, I went with Majestic Feathers to Costa Rica for a birding adventure. Though I had previously visited Costa Rica, I had not birded there; and having been disappointed in my quest for the Resplendent Quetzal in Panama, I put pressure on Kathleen to produce in CR. She assured me that if anyone could find it, it would be Edwin Ramirez, and indeed he did find the quetzal and many other spectacular birds. Edwin's charming personality and superior organization made the trip a delight from many perspectives. Comfortable hotels, great meals, fun conversation, challenging birding, and so much more.

"I had the pleasure of joining the March, 2009, Majestic Feathers trip to Costa Rica. It was a fabulous adventure! Edwin Ramirez is an excellent guide and a native of Costa Rica. Not only does he know the birds, he knows where they are and how to find them. If a member of the group described a bird, he knew whether it was one already seen by the group, if it should be pursued now, or if it was a bird easy to find at another location.

The trip encompassed seven life zones to maximize the number of species seen. Of the 812 species recorded in Costa Rica as of 2006 our group saw 427 species, and everyone in the group had excellent views of the majority of species (>98%). Birding highlights of the trip for me included the Jabiru, Long-tailed Tyrant, Great Curassow, Speckled Tanager, Black-and-white owls, and the list continues. Each location offered a new cadre of species and surprises for us.

Edwin was tireless. Along with his incredible birding skills are his people skills and organizational talents. Our luggage made it safely to and from the bus with minimal input from us. When we birded past the time when we should have moved on or road construction would have delayed us, EdwinТs networking and organizational abilities continued to provide seamless travel with meals on time and other arrangements made before it became an issue.

I would recommend arriving early to have an entire day to spend on the hotel grounds. There is plenty of habitat and new birds to keep you busy all day and into the evening.

This trip isnТt just about the birds. Edwin also provides a running commentary on the people, their lifestyles, the habitats, and growing up in Costa Rica. This is a well-rounded trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of tropical birding. Each day I would think, УIt canТt get better than this,Ф and the next day always outdid the previous day.

IТm going to stop there to leave further discoveries for those that join the trip, but I often think of the birds we saw-- Sunbittern, Resplendent Quetzal, Tanagers, Honeycreepers, Motmot (at one point 3 different Motmot species were in our view at the same time), Hummingbirds, Nightingale-thrushes, Rufous-browed PeppershrikeЕ "

"As experienced travelers and inveterate comparison shoppers, when we were offered the opportunity to go on this trip, we went to the internet to compare prices. In fact, we immediately found several less expensive trips. Upon reading the small print we discovered that every one was ╜ to 2/3 the length of KathleenТs trip, so that on a per day basis they were in fact more expensive. In addition, the itineraries were much less interesting, particularly from a nature-watching standpoint. We have traveled with a number of legendary bird watching guides and were thus amazed to find Edwin, of whom we had never heard, who was as good as any of the others. He probably knew 98 % of the birds by sight and 90 % by sound, a skill level achieved by very few people. In addition, he had contacts all over the country whose tips to Edwin enabled us to find rarities that most others would have missed. We saw nearly 50 % of the species of birds in this incredibly diverse country as well as a surprising number of mammals, herptiles, and flora. Kathleen also showed her expertise in spotting, identification, and photographic skill, even giving much needed classes in the use of digital cameras. Even Kiki, our driver, in addition to getting us around the country safely, managed to find a number of birds for us while he guarded the bus. All in all this was as good an experience as we could have hoped for and we are presently deciding which of Majestic FeatherТs other trips to take as well as when we will return to Costa Rica."