Today we were off to Rincon de la Vieja, a National Park north of here that contains two volcanoes: Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Maria Volcano. We were on the bus by 8am and arrived at the park just before 10 am. The drive includes a 16 km stretch across a gravel road that bisects a private ranch. Of course the ranch collects an entry fee as well as the park! What a riot.
We chose to take the longer of the two hiking options and set out to see all that we could. Our guide today was Tyler who has taken his job VERY seriously staying up last night to make lists of plants and animals we might see. Our first real spot was a Long-tailed Manakin. That´s right, for all you bird folks out there reading this, a Long-tailed Manakin. Pretty impressive find.
Next we hiked on and saw a red tanager that we have been unable to identify as of yet. Of course, I am not going to give up looking for information. Next we stopped at a huge, beautiful waterfall where we lined up for a great picture that I will try to load tonight. Most of us are lined up on a log that is hanging over a pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The boys spotted a long aquatic worm and of course extracted it to inspect further... it really was rather large (maybe 7 inches and very, very thin).
Moving on we saw our first sulfur vents (funeroles), this volcano is very active and many of the geological features have encouraged comparisons to Yellowstone. It was as you might imagine: hot, steamy and very strongly smelling of sulfur. Shortly thereafter we saw a Coatimundi up close!! What a great mammal to watch hunting around for food and totally unconcerned about us. Continuing on we spotted a Great Curassow, a turkey-like bird even larger than the Black Guan we saw in Monteverde. The male curassow has a huge crest on his head and a very yellow beak. Also on our hike we saw bubbling mud pots and sulfur springs that looked like they were hot enough to cook our dinner.
We saw an Acacia tree, one that is covered in huge thorns that house ants. The acacia also feeds the ants a sweet sap. In exchange for room and board the ants defend the acacia against predators. Very cool mutualistic realtionship! Finally we stopped to take some more data, finding it rather dry in the park and then headed back to the bus. After crossing the fabulous suspension bridge across the river we saw a Harlequin Beetle that had been found by Alvaro, our guide. They are huge and truly beautiful.
We returned to the hotel for a late lunch and then headed out to do our last set of data measuring just outside the developed portion of the grounds. Very dry (roughly 40% humidity) and very hot. At this moment we are all recouping a little bit before dinner. Tomorrow we leave for San Jose and hope to see the city on our last afternoon here. It has been a wonderful trip and although I know we all miss you I´m not sure any of us are ready to come home.
Oh, on the note of my electronics that so many of you have wished well, the cell phone is fine. Despite my best efforts I have been unable to resuscitate the camera. Alas, I feel the fool for having trusted the snorkel guide. Perhaps a good lesson for me. I hope that I can figure something out with it when I get home. I will try to load old pictures and Bob Ulrich´s pictures later although this computer may not be able to do that for us.
All the best to you, thank you for reading and writing us back!
Judy
We chose to take the longer of the two hiking options and set out to see all that we could. Our guide today was Tyler who has taken his job VERY seriously staying up last night to make lists of plants and animals we might see. Our first real spot was a Long-tailed Manakin. That´s right, for all you bird folks out there reading this, a Long-tailed Manakin. Pretty impressive find.
Next we hiked on and saw a red tanager that we have been unable to identify as of yet. Of course, I am not going to give up looking for information. Next we stopped at a huge, beautiful waterfall where we lined up for a great picture that I will try to load tonight. Most of us are lined up on a log that is hanging over a pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The boys spotted a long aquatic worm and of course extracted it to inspect further... it really was rather large (maybe 7 inches and very, very thin).
Moving on we saw our first sulfur vents (funeroles), this volcano is very active and many of the geological features have encouraged comparisons to Yellowstone. It was as you might imagine: hot, steamy and very strongly smelling of sulfur. Shortly thereafter we saw a Coatimundi up close!! What a great mammal to watch hunting around for food and totally unconcerned about us. Continuing on we spotted a Great Curassow, a turkey-like bird even larger than the Black Guan we saw in Monteverde. The male curassow has a huge crest on his head and a very yellow beak. Also on our hike we saw bubbling mud pots and sulfur springs that looked like they were hot enough to cook our dinner.
We saw an Acacia tree, one that is covered in huge thorns that house ants. The acacia also feeds the ants a sweet sap. In exchange for room and board the ants defend the acacia against predators. Very cool mutualistic realtionship! Finally we stopped to take some more data, finding it rather dry in the park and then headed back to the bus. After crossing the fabulous suspension bridge across the river we saw a Harlequin Beetle that had been found by Alvaro, our guide. They are huge and truly beautiful.
We returned to the hotel for a late lunch and then headed out to do our last set of data measuring just outside the developed portion of the grounds. Very dry (roughly 40% humidity) and very hot. At this moment we are all recouping a little bit before dinner. Tomorrow we leave for San Jose and hope to see the city on our last afternoon here. It has been a wonderful trip and although I know we all miss you I´m not sure any of us are ready to come home.
Oh, on the note of my electronics that so many of you have wished well, the cell phone is fine. Despite my best efforts I have been unable to resuscitate the camera. Alas, I feel the fool for having trusted the snorkel guide. Perhaps a good lesson for me. I hope that I can figure something out with it when I get home. I will try to load old pictures and Bob Ulrich´s pictures later although this computer may not be able to do that for us.
All the best to you, thank you for reading and writing us back!
Judy
3 comments:
Hi Everyone!
I can't believe tomorrow is your last day. Even though we miss Marc we are surely enjoying this trip through all of your wonderful blogs. The only thing missing is a picture of ALL of you. MARC.... make sure there is a picture with the whole group including Mrs. Sudomir! Enjoy your last day.
The Cases
Safe trip home, everyone. Thanks, Judy, for all the writing, writing, writing. The photos are beautiful and I know just half as beautiful as the real thing.
Didn't make it to Vegas, and it's a long story.
Can't help myself... everyone have his and her passports? :-)
See you soon.
Mike
Hello to all of the weary travelers;I cannot tell you all how exciting it has been for us here at home, to live vicariously through Judy's Blog. It would be the first thing in the morning and last at night to check, for her detailed, and action packed entries. What a trip of a lifetime and one none of you will soon forget! Safe travels home...I'm sure a long nights rest is awaiting you all. XO to ZZ-Marilyn Saleet
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