Corcovado National Park, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
The day started with early stretching at sunrise on the sundeck. As soon as the park headquarters were open, we started disembarking for the three different walks. One longer walk was going up to the ridge, another to the waterfall, and a shorter one toward the Pargos River. A green jewel of the conservation system of Costa Rica was for us to explore and enjoy. We spent a wonderful day at a very intense rainforest. Magnificent trees of amazing height shaded the under story that kept the plants from overgrowing the path. The leaf litter serves as camouflage for amphibians, reptiles and insects. The poison dart frogs serenaded us as we passed through their grounds.
Some of us saw mantled howler monkeys, Central American spider monkeys, opossums, agoutis, chestnut-mandibled toucans, and scarlet macaws among many other birds. A big swarm of army ants was causing panic among other invertebrates forcing them to fly or move away, which makes them easier to be spotted. Antbirds and other birds followed them to feed on the flushed insects. That was a great opportunity to see an interesting concentration of species of birds.
We repositioned the ship to enjoy a fabulous picnic lunch at the beach and to spend the afternoon at Caletas beach that we used as our center for many activities. Horseback riding and other hikes seemed to be as attractive as to just relax at this sanctuary.
After having dinner and anchored in the calm waters of Drake’s Bay, we could see the greater fishing bat flying off the stern of the ship trying to catch fish.
The day started with early stretching at sunrise on the sundeck. As soon as the park headquarters were open, we started disembarking for the three different walks. One longer walk was going up to the ridge, another to the waterfall, and a shorter one toward the Pargos River. A green jewel of the conservation system of Costa Rica was for us to explore and enjoy. We spent a wonderful day at a very intense rainforest. Magnificent trees of amazing height shaded the under story that kept the plants from overgrowing the path. The leaf litter serves as camouflage for amphibians, reptiles and insects. The poison dart frogs serenaded us as we passed through their grounds.
Some of us saw mantled howler monkeys, Central American spider monkeys, opossums, agoutis, chestnut-mandibled toucans, and scarlet macaws among many other birds. A big swarm of army ants was causing panic among other invertebrates forcing them to fly or move away, which makes them easier to be spotted. Antbirds and other birds followed them to feed on the flushed insects. That was a great opportunity to see an interesting concentration of species of birds.
We repositioned the ship to enjoy a fabulous picnic lunch at the beach and to spend the afternoon at Caletas beach that we used as our center for many activities. Horseback riding and other hikes seemed to be as attractive as to just relax at this sanctuary.
After having dinner and anchored in the calm waters of Drake’s Bay, we could see the greater fishing bat flying off the stern of the ship trying to catch fish.
