Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Things are looking up! By that, I do not mean that they were ever “down”, I simply mean that in a rainforest most of the life is up in the canopy. This morning we visited Casa Orquideas, a Botanical Garden on the Osa Pensinsula. This unique garden highlights regional tropical species and we observed one of the most recognizable characteristics of tropical forests; organisms living and growing on other organisms. The trees are covered with epiphytes which take advantage of their height to reach the coveted sunlight of the canopy. Orchids, bromeliads, cactus, and a wealth of other plants are specially adapted to live among the branches of the tallest trees. The garden allowed us to view these species up close when they would normally be inaccessible to our eyes. Without roots in the soil, these plants have special adaptations for collecting water: cactus are succulents which store water in their tissue while bromeliads line the treetops like teacups, each with its own water supply.
The canopy is also where we see most of the animal life. Birds abound amongst the dense foliage and often our ears are the only way we recognize they are there. However, the bright colors of the Scarlet Macaw are easy to spot and we were fortunate to find one in full view atop beach almond tree having a mid-morning snack. While keeping our necks at a ninety-degree angle, we also observed Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Blue-grey Tanagers, and the exquisite Cherrie’s Tanager. Animals in the canopy play an important role for these sedentary plants by distributing seeds and pollen.
In contrast to the quick glimpses we usually see of the flighty passerines, we observed another spectacular tree-dweller on our afternoon hike along Rio Rincon; the Three-toed Sloth. These herbivores seem out of place in the rainforest with their thick coat of fur, but it helps maintain their body temperature despite their sluggish metabolism. At first glance, a sloth appears to be not much more than a termite mound or a pile of debris, but with patience you can make out their remarkable body design. We were fortunate enough to see a mother with her baby!
Keeping our eyes to the sky, our day ended with a beautiful rainbow over Golfo Dulce.
Things are looking up! By that, I do not mean that they were ever “down”, I simply mean that in a rainforest most of the life is up in the canopy. This morning we visited Casa Orquideas, a Botanical Garden on the Osa Pensinsula. This unique garden highlights regional tropical species and we observed one of the most recognizable characteristics of tropical forests; organisms living and growing on other organisms. The trees are covered with epiphytes which take advantage of their height to reach the coveted sunlight of the canopy. Orchids, bromeliads, cactus, and a wealth of other plants are specially adapted to live among the branches of the tallest trees. The garden allowed us to view these species up close when they would normally be inaccessible to our eyes. Without roots in the soil, these plants have special adaptations for collecting water: cactus are succulents which store water in their tissue while bromeliads line the treetops like teacups, each with its own water supply.
The canopy is also where we see most of the animal life. Birds abound amongst the dense foliage and often our ears are the only way we recognize they are there. However, the bright colors of the Scarlet Macaw are easy to spot and we were fortunate to find one in full view atop beach almond tree having a mid-morning snack. While keeping our necks at a ninety-degree angle, we also observed Chestnut-mandibled Toucans, Blue-grey Tanagers, and the exquisite Cherrie’s Tanager. Animals in the canopy play an important role for these sedentary plants by distributing seeds and pollen.
In contrast to the quick glimpses we usually see of the flighty passerines, we observed another spectacular tree-dweller on our afternoon hike along Rio Rincon; the Three-toed Sloth. These herbivores seem out of place in the rainforest with their thick coat of fur, but it helps maintain their body temperature despite their sluggish metabolism. At first glance, a sloth appears to be not much more than a termite mound or a pile of debris, but with patience you can make out their remarkable body design. We were fortunate enough to see a mother with her baby!
Keeping our eyes to the sky, our day ended with a beautiful rainbow over Golfo Dulce.
