Navidad Flights!

Christmas soaring
A later start today with Jaron coming up to launch to try out his new Nikon Coolpix. We passed a large iguana en route and found three great swallow-tailed kites soaring just below launch as we pulled up (this is a drive-to site). Nice clouds out front and the usual black and turkey vultures marking the thermals.

The wind was better today and Natalie got off easily on her first attempt, letting out a "woo hoo!" in the process. She found some lift on her way to the LZ and arrived over Playa Dominicalito with plenty of height to entertain the beach goers with. She had a nice landing and radioed her pleasure with her Xmas flight.

I had an easy reverse launch and headed right, finding the thermals to be less organized than yesterday with sharper edges. The site faces west and there was a north drift to them as well, which I tried to overcome in order to get back over launch for Jaron to get some pics. Twenty minutes of this and I was getting too low and had to either head downwind or else join Natalie who was now folding up her glider in the soccer field. I almost had another low save as I approached the soccer field but no such luck.

I landed beside Natalie just before Jaron and Jose arrived and we spent the rest of the day at the beach. 30 degree days and 20 degree nights are growing on us.

Bird report:
Crested caracaras (very cool looking)
Tropical king bird
Magnificent frigate bird
Humming birds
Fiery-billed aracaris (toucan)
Do bats count?