Capuchins, A Ctenosaur, Baffling Architecture, and a Lifer Flycatcher at Carara National Park

In a drastic and unexpected change of pace, I'm going to post some nonavian beings from last January in Costa Rica. First and foremost, look at this White-faced Capuchin gnawing on a banana.

The river trail at Carara National Park had a big troupe of them that allowed for ample crushing opportunities.

We'd seen plenty of Howler Monkeys throughout the trip, but this was a lifer monkey for me.

Stereotypically, they were going bananas for bananas. Sorry I said that.

I'd never seen wild monkeys before this trip. Pretty sick. The consumption of bananas in such a humorous manner only added to the glory of the encounter, if you know what I'm saying.

I don't know what this crippling lizard is, although it structurally looked like a type of whiptail. Anyone know?

Ctenosaur! Hella big. Hella prehistoric (looking).

Ctenosaura similis are huge and fast, in fact the fastest lizards on earth according to the Guinesss Book. They are widely distributed throughout Central America and is something you should expect to see in Costa Rica. They go by several common names, but I like Black Ctenosaur the best.

Despite all the places I've been and things I've seen, I'm frequently reminded that nature is fucking amazing. I was completely stunned to come across this piece of work a couple feet off the forest floor. Check out this necklace of wasp nests! Anyone know anything about these?

Fine, a token bird for this post. This is a Streaked Flycatcher, close cousin of the Sulphur-bellied, and also a sweet and fulfilling life bird. All photos in today's post were taken in Carara National Park.