Costa Rica: The Quaker Cloud Forest

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Monteverde Cloud Forest. Lots of rain, which is why it's a cloud forest. It was settled by Quakers from Alabama in 1951. They were pacificsts; concientous objectors, who, when Costa Rica abolished it's armed forces in 1948, decided to move here. They started the dairy industry which is still going strong but also protected the environment long before it became policy in Costa Rica. Thanks to their continued stewardship of the land, this beautiful spot remains relatively unspoiled. (The two roads in are unmade and the locals insist on keeping it that way).

It's not all peace and light though: The hummingbirds were fighting fiercely to claim their place at the feeder. We also saw a Resplendent Quetzal. It is well named. Magnificent.

Walk The Walk: Costa Rica

Friday 2 March 2012

Out at 6.15 this morning to search for wildlife along the canals of Tortuguero National Park
We saw Howler Monkeys, Toucans, Sloths and a few other creatures. I didn't manage to get any decent pictures but on our way back we saw a troop of Spider monkeys swinging through the trees. They had to get from one side of a narrow canal to the other by way of this flimsy palm frond. First up were adults, including mothers with babies. They were across the gap in a shot and my pictures were hopeless. This juvenile took it a bit more cautiously so I got a nice silhouette, which I've sharpened up in Silver Efex.
We are back out this afternoon so I'm hopeful of getting something else.

Red-Eyed Tree Frog, Costa Rica

19th February 2011
Staying in Toruguero National Park on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. There's wildlife everywhere, including this little tree frog, if you know where to look.

Hummingbird, Costa Rica

Tuesday 22 February 2011: Hummingbird

Hi from a very sunny Monteverde. I've taken lots of pics today and I haven't time to go through them. This one jumped out at me so here it is.

I got some nice Howler Monkey pics and some shots of a spectacular Mont Arenal, the volcano we didn't see when we were staying acoss the road from it. From 50 kilometres away, it is an impressive sight.