| About 45 minutes outside San Jose, we toured a rain forest canopy via
cable cars kind of like a slow moving ski lift. This 2.6 km aerial tram is
located on a 400-hectare private reserve which buffers the Parque Nacional
Brauilo Carillo. Interestingly, the tram was constructed with almost no
impact on the rainforest as the 250,000kg of construction materials were
carried in by foot or by airlift to avoid erosion. For this area, records
indicate that there are 118 species of reptiles and amphibians, 300
species of birds, 85 species of bats, and about 50 other
mammals. |
|
 |
|
| Madre y Hija |
Bernie and Sondra |
From
up here in the canopy...
On
the 2 1/2 tour, our friendly and knowledgeable Tico guide pointed out
unusual flora, fauna and some critters along the way. It is
very difficult to spot wildlife due to thick vegetation and the fact
that many of the animals are nocturnal, therefore we observed and
learned more about the complex structure and nature of the rain
forest itself.
Mom,
however, unknowingly dressed appropriately for the occasion. Her red
shirt attracted both hummingbirds and butterflies that hovered
nearby so that we had a closer look. My Dad, the agronomy major, was
in heaven with all the diversity! We were all impressed, of
course, by the beauty and tranquility of this tropical
paradise.
|
 |
| Cable car moving slowly
and quietly through
the canopy |
 |
 |
 |
| Radiating leaves of a palm
tree far below |
Broccoli tree |
|
 |
| 70 feet of
constant growth |
Another
variety of palm |
In case you haven't
noticed, there's lots of palm trees in this rainforest... |
Back
down on the ground...
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Fishtail palm |
Blood of Christ |
 |
 |
| Heart of Palm |
Cow's Tongue |
How bats stay dry in the
rainforest |
|
|
Leaf
Cutter Ants
We had an in depth lesson on the highly
organized culture of Leaf Cutter Ant colonies. These ants are seen
marching in columns along the forest floor, carrying pieces of leaves like little parasols above their heads.
Once they are carried back to the ant hill, the leaf segments are not
eaten... they are given to other ants who process them and use the
resulting mush to cultivate a fungus, which is what the ants are really
after. We were told that an active colony of ants can process as much
as 50 kilos per day... as much as a large cow!
 |
 |
| Lunch |
Bringin' home the bacon...
well, leaves, actually. |
|
