We're off on a boat tour of the rainforest, and Michael S. Kaye, president of Costa Rica Expeditions, is trying to set realistic expectations. "People come expecting to see wildlife as close up as they do in a guidebook, or as dramatic as they see on a nature show. What they don't understand is how many hours that cameraman had to wait to get that shot."
And as we float down the canals it is clear, this is not a zoo. This is is the animals' home, we are the visitors. They are not here to perform for us. But if we are quiet, and pay attention, the forest is teeming with life - we see and hear herons and falcons, river otters and monkeys, iguanas, a sloth and then, this:
It's a Rainforest Tur-Duck-en!
It is wild here, wild and beautiful and surprising. Throw expecations, high and low, out the window. Just look and see what's here:
Coming up: "Help! I Need Somebody to Help!" What's a vacation without an identity crisis? http://upside-down-patty.blogspot.com/2010/11/help-i-need-somebody-to-help.htmlP.S. Confused about what Patty is doing in Costa Rica without her family? The Trip of a Lifetime starts here: http://upside-down-patty.blogspot.com/2010/11/ticket-to-ride.html
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Wow! Amazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Patty! I wish you could feature a soundtrack to accompany your post. The sounds of the monkeys, birds and bugs was a wonderful accompaniment to the sights.
ReplyDeleteShannon
The experience of gliding through the Tortuguero rainforest canals (totally devoid of any sounds of civilization), listening to the sounds of nature is magical enough. Then, to witness animals in their natural habitat, to see creatures you've previously only seen in photos, is absolutely bewitching.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that really impressed me was the incredible skill of our guides. For example, they can hear the call of a bird, know what bird it is, what kind of tree it is most likely to be in, and find its (relatively) small form to point out to us. As we stare agape at the bird, we were treated to interesting facts about the bird's habits and lifestyle. These guides are truly naturalist professionals. Muchas gracias William, Felipe and Norton.
Loved loved LOVED the rainforest turducken - I laughed right out loud! What an incredible shot of that butterfly on the caiman!! Loved the baby turtle video too......I adore your writing and I'm disappointed when the current blog is finished! Can't wait for the next installment...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am with you in spirit!!!
xoxoxo Meryl"
Hi Patty! Jen here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics & fun post.
I just loved the canal - teeming with life, as you say. So much to keep your eyes open for ; you never know what you'll spot.
Of course, someone like Felipe ( & William)sees so much than the untrained eye does - you've just got to have a guide .Looking forward to your next post & to reliving our Great Adventure.....
Here, here! Without the guides we would have been taking pictures of stray leaves thinking they were endangered species and missing the actual animals camouflaged in the foliage! Also, the incredible pics of the sloth and iguana above were taken by CRE guide William Granados - muchos gracias! The Rainforest Turducken and others are mine.
ReplyDeleteMeryl!! You know it became a Trip of a Lifetime the moment I met you on the plane ride over :)
ReplyDeleteFor anyone who hasn't met you yet, here's where it all started:
http://upside-down-patty.blogspot.com/2010/11/ticket-to-ride.html