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Published: March 1st 2010
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Cloud Forest Reserve
All sorts of plants live on other plants in this 100% humidity It was another early start. We were all in breakfast by 06h35 and were driving down the bumpy main road to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve by 07h00. Although the weather was clearly better than of late,
Cloud Forest is a suitable term as the warm Caribbean air meets the cooler Pacific air and envelops all in 100%!h(MISSING)umidity.
There are a number of tracks through the forest but, as we were intent on seeing birds, we chose the shortest route of a couple miles so that we could be back mid-morning.
Setting off through the dripping forest, it was noticeable how wet everything was. Leaves were adapted with deep veins and pointed tips thus allowing excess rain to drip away. The constant wind blew cloud up into the forest, resulting in everything being covered by a thick layer of moss and making it difficult to see the wildlife.
Trees grew huge buttress roots so that they could support themselves as they tried to thrive in the thin soil yet needed to reach high into the sky to get to the light. Many of the plants are epiphytes and are stacked several deep. Bromeliads, ferns, Peace Lilies and
Supporting Roots
With the soil so thin, plants need to gain what support they can - be it strangling other plants or simply putting out aerial roots. Bird of Paradise plants were everywhere. Many birds could also be heard, the most common being the
squeaky gate bird, i.e., black faced solitaire.
Throughout the walk, our prize was to catch a sight of the quetzal. Despite looking hard, we completed our walk without any sign. Then, just as we were about to depart, we heard a rumour from one of the other guides that some had been seen nearby and so we set off again. Finally, we spotted our prey, high in a tree. Fortunately, this time of year is the breeding season and the male is resplendent with a beautiful blue long tail. We saw several females and finally the male - however, within the gloom of the forest, it was very difficult to get a decent photo.
Leaving the trails, we went for coffee and found ourselves surrounded by hummingbirds. This was fascinating and of course, out came the cameras. Some of the birds were very small (about an inch) and plain yellow and brown, others a little larger and bright blue (about 3 inches). Many though were roughly 2 inches tall and a beautiful green and orange in colour. Several hundred photos later,
we went for lunch!
In the afternoon, some of the group went off for a zip wire experience in which they would zip through the high canopy skimming over the wildlife whilst the rest of us went for the Bridge Walk. Being afraid of heights, I later found out that this was called the
High Canopy Walk.
Following a similar pattern to the morning's walk, we made our way through cloud forest until we came to the first bridge. This was no joke and I opted to cross the 135 foot drop last. This was a mistake as I had to keep stopping once I'd caught up with the others who'd stopped in the middle to admire the view! Subsequently, I went first and only stopped once I'd reach a tree in the middle but more usually made my way straight across. Some of the bridges spanned a 200 foot drop, although I can assure you that I didn't look down.
On reaching the end, I needed a change of trousers!
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Mannequin92
Cecille Soriano
Awesome!!
Wow! I'm speechless, the pictures are soooo awesome...a paradise.