Day 13: Sarapiquí/La Selva
Highlight of the Day:
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In the morning, we visited La Selva, a well-known site for research on tropical ecology.
Most research about tropical rainforests is done in Costa Rica and some of the other Central American States, only very little comes from South America. La Selva is a research facility of the OTR Organization for Tropical Research. Scientists from Costa Rica as well as the US and all over the world come here and rent the facility to perform studies. If I remember correctly, about 40% of all scientific papers about tropical rainforests are based in La Selva.
Although we waited a while for the rain to stop, this particular shower lasted more than the usual “few minutes” in the dry season. So, we walked off in the rain, all cameras safely stowed away in backpacks.
Our guide talked about a few of those research projects, for which the grounds are covered with numbered poles 100 m apart. Based on this grid, scientist can locate specimen and follow up. Also, we saw many nets that were collecting everything falling in – leaves, flowers, seeds. Those items are regularly collected and analyzed.
We saw the first animals on an open area before we entered the rainforest. The first impressive bird was an Oropendola (brownish, blue cheek, yellow on tail), a larger bird whose nests look like hanging baskets. The male birds were sitting high on the bare branches and swung down head first and up again with each characteristic cry. The relatively big nests seemed small for such a large bird.
On another tree, about seven toucans were sitting, all Chestnut-mandibled Toucans and one Keel-billed Toucan. The best thing: They were in no rush at all and were just sitting there or flying to another tree close by and returning again.
A Great Curassow (large turkey-like black bird with a white belly, prominent yellow beak and curly feathers on his head) was trying to dry his wings.
Other animals we saw:
Millipedes, who mostly appear delete appear add are mostly seen in pairs. After mating, the female can stored store the sperm. The male follows her around to make sure that she uses his sperm and not that of another male. We also saw a mating pair.
Poison Blue Jean Dart Frog. Another tiny one, but this one was on the move and Heiko got a few chances to take pictures.
Fruits, such as the fruit of the Kerosene tree. When snipping off the top of the fruit, a clear and highly flammable liquid squirts out.
This fruit is toxic and therefore not eaten by many animals, except parrots.
ANOTHER toxic fruit, flatter.
On our way back, a group of 8 peccaries crosses our path. They are small wild hogs.
A few White-throated Capuchin Monkeys were jumping in the trees and “trashing” around. Leaves and heavier stuff, most likely fruits were crashing down. They were fast and cautious not to be seen too well.
Squirrel Cockoo, Cuckoo a maroon bird whose tail has a white and black striped border.
We had the afternoon off, the first time during this trip! We all took a nap, preparing for a fun evening with a Rodeo presentation. Dinner was served right at the Rodeo, and some high school kids performed Costa Rican dances in colorful costumes.
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