Hiking in the Forest.......

Hiking through The Santa Elena cloud forest was so cool. A rainy morning as we got rigged out and off we set.  The magic and mist takes over and you can't help but be at peace.  Walking and watching for animal presence while taking in all the flowers and fauna forces one to slow down, observe, and be present.  It's not like the many animals, insects, mammals,and birds are poised and waiting to entertain and to pose for us humans!  We are the visitors in their territory, if we are lucky we will see them in their natural habitat.

Not too much action from our animal friends on this rainy misty day. Still so much beauty everywhere.



La Selva Biological Station (project of the Organization of Tropical Studies, a research consortium of 63 U.S. , Australian and Latin American Universities)
We had the opportunity to do a day and night hike here. In 6 square miles: 420 bird species, 460 tree species, and 400 butterfly species.  We saw so much activity on both hikes.
Leafcutter ants, pecaris roaming around, Blue Jean dart frog, insects, sloths, katydids, praying mantis, howler monkeys, Coti and many exquisite birds.

Afternoon hike on trail at rear of lodge in Tortuguero up to a lookout where we could see an aerial view of the converging canals along with an abundance of butterflies, insects, dragonflies. Spider monkeys, howler monkeys practically playing  in your backyard. Amazing!