Mammals
by grandmaR
The four main vertebrates that one sees in this area are amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The main mammals are monkeys and sloths.
When we came in 1997, the mammals we saw were howler monkeys and white faced monkeys (although not close enough to take photos of) . We heard the howler monkeys a lot. We also saw spider monkeys too. We only saw one sloth at a distance.
This time we saw (and heard) the howler monkeys and did much better in regard to sloths as we saw several kinds and quite close. We also saw a squirrel but he moved too fast for a good photo
Turtles
by grets
Although April to October is the main season for turtles, when you can see the green turtle (and other species) coming ashore to lay their eggs, some turtles can be found at any time of year.
Our guide picked up this little baby from the water for us to have a closer look.
Poison Arrow Frogs
by grandmaR
Poison arrow frogs are tiny jewel like amphibians. It is almost impossible for the regular person to find them because they are so small. The scientific name for them is dendrobatids. All are at least somewhat toxic in the wild. They are sometimes called "dart frogs" due to indigenous Amerindians' use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts. They are small, sometimes less than half an inch in adult length, although a few are as big as 2.4 inches in length I saw these tiny frogs on both trips to Costa Rica. In one case, we saw several on the forest walk that we did in the morning, but I only got a picture of one of them (photo 2).
In 2008, the boat operator stopped and walked off into the jungle to get a frog. This one was bright orange red with blue feet. I think this is called the Dendrobates pumilio or Strawberry or Blue Jeans frog. The poison of this frog does not possess seriously harm humans, though the guide said that the person should wash his hands well afterwards. I think he knew where the frog was because he had a stuffed one at the front of the boat (photo 3)
He held it for me to take a photo, which was much more difficult than I expected. I kept getting blurred ones (photo 4).
Tropical Plants
by grandmaR
One of the reasons that I wanted to visit Costa Rica is because it has many kinds of tropical rain forests. Tortugero is a lowland area with an altitude of only 20 meters above sea level and with a few volcanic hills with heights of 100-300 meters. The vegetation is primarily that of palm swamps, but there is also some mixed rainforest, tropical wet forest and pre-mountain forest.
On our rainforest walk in 1997 we saw some unusual tree trunks such as photo 2, and on the boat trip we saw flowering trees (photo 3). Also fascinating were the banana plants that we saw on the plantations (photo 5) on our second trip. On the way back to the ship, the bus driver stopped at a roadside stand. While he was shopping I took a photo out of the bus window of a butterfly on some flowers (photo 4)
He bought a cocoa pod and showed us the beans, and lady finger bananas. There was also a pod from a tree growing next to the parking area which had a red dye inside that you could paint your face with.
No worries
by zrim
This guy came bounding out of his house and started yapping at the dog. "Woof, woof, woof." The dog quickly became frenzied and joyfully bounded around his companion and they set off down the village trail in front of me. On what errand they set out, I don't know, but both seemed happy and content with each other's company.
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Ready for our canal boat ride to Pachira Lodge
Clean bathroom - no shampoo or hairdryer
Two double beds - comfy
Looking across the boat to the railroad line
