Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
We anxiously looked forward to exploring terra firma today. The lush tropical forest of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and its inhabitants were ours to explore. With several options we set out, and some of us literally dove in. As we explored and were introduced to the tropical forest habitat, it became obvious that everything we saw could be traced back to the plants. We saw Montezuma’s Oropendolas squawking and flitting about the trees, a bird that uses plant materials to weave a hanging basket nest from high, inaccessible treetops. The brilliant yellow flowers of the quamwood were held unashamedly exposed for potential pollinators as well as appreciative explorers.
Some viewed a quick glimpse of a peccary’s backside, its lingering peccary perfume stayed with them longer than the animal itself. The most exciting sighting was not of an animal itself, but of a sign left behind. This animal lives at the top of the food chain and because of the abundance of prey in this forest sanctuary; it is able to thrive here. The cycle between predator and prey works as long as the balance exists, and as a result of the efforts to maintain this delicate balance in Cockscomb, we were able to gaze upon the tracks of a jaguar, which we share with you in today’s photo. In this photo, the jaguar has walked from the right to the left. The arch of toe pad prints running down the center of the photo is from the front foot, with the heel pad print following it to the right. There is another arc of toe pad prints on top of the heel pad; this jaguar stepped in its own track, the rear foot toes landed on top of the heel pad of the front foot. What an incredible find. What an incredible place.
We anxiously looked forward to exploring terra firma today. The lush tropical forest of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and its inhabitants were ours to explore. With several options we set out, and some of us literally dove in. As we explored and were introduced to the tropical forest habitat, it became obvious that everything we saw could be traced back to the plants. We saw Montezuma’s Oropendolas squawking and flitting about the trees, a bird that uses plant materials to weave a hanging basket nest from high, inaccessible treetops. The brilliant yellow flowers of the quamwood were held unashamedly exposed for potential pollinators as well as appreciative explorers.
Some viewed a quick glimpse of a peccary’s backside, its lingering peccary perfume stayed with them longer than the animal itself. The most exciting sighting was not of an animal itself, but of a sign left behind. This animal lives at the top of the food chain and because of the abundance of prey in this forest sanctuary; it is able to thrive here. The cycle between predator and prey works as long as the balance exists, and as a result of the efforts to maintain this delicate balance in Cockscomb, we were able to gaze upon the tracks of a jaguar, which we share with you in today’s photo. In this photo, the jaguar has walked from the right to the left. The arch of toe pad prints running down the center of the photo is from the front foot, with the heel pad print following it to the right. There is another arc of toe pad prints on top of the heel pad; this jaguar stepped in its own track, the rear foot toes landed on top of the heel pad of the front foot. What an incredible find. What an incredible place.
