A biology textbook comes to life in the cloud rainforest

Yesterday was a day of transition as we left our Earthwatch group and struck out on our own for the town of Monteverde, which is high in the mountains in the center of an incredible rainforest.  After a very bumpy three-hour ride from San Jose we arrived at our hotel in time to settle in and prepare for today's adventures.

And what adventures they were!  We began with a zipline tour through the rainforest, which was breathtaking and exciting.  Ziplining involves flying through the air at high speed through the forest while harnessed to cables over your head.   Miss OB was pretty nervous at the beginning but she pushed ahead and ended up having a great time.  I am fearless when it comes to heights and thrills and I loved every minute of it.  I even did the Tarzan swing at the end, which is a heart-stopping drop straight down while harnessed to a rope. 

After ziplining and catching our breath we went on a long walk through the forest on a series of hanging bridges high in the sky.  

 We saw beautiful plants of all sorts.  I was struck by the interdependence of the plants and other living things -- how they grow on each other, with vines climbing up trees, and moss growing on dead stumps.  

 

We saw many plants that are clearly food for insects and birds, like these chewed on leaves.  The rainforest is obviously a very complex system, and that is one reason why it is so important that humans not disrupt the delicate balance of species that exists.

 After lunch we went to the Reptiles and Amphibians exhibit, where our knowledgeable tour guide, Elvis, showed us many species of snakes, lizards, frogs and toads that are native to Costa Rica.  He explained how their coloring and other features serve specific functions, like protecting them from predators and allowing them to sneak up on prey.  I learned a lot and was bowled over by the amazing sights of tiny red frogs and the enormous shedded snake skins from a boa constrictor.

Tomorrow promises even more amazing sights and opportunities to learn as we plan to visit a hummingbird gallery as well as a local cheese factory.