the story behind the story

Once we’ve posted the entire gallery of pictures from this trip, I’m certain you will see Doug’s pictures of this beautiful jay. What the picture won’t show you is that the jay was one of several who were very cooperative and completely unfazed by our presence. Here’s Doug and our guide Mario taking advantage of the birds’ lack of interest in them.
December 30 2010

Small waterfall

We arrived at Arenal Observatory Lodge today, but is is unfortunately rainy and cool. But not so bad that we couldn’t go on a short hike to a nearby waterfall. After today’s long bus ride, which included about an hour on some Class IV roads, it was good to be moving around.
December 29 2010

Merry Christmas

Today we went snorkeling, something I have never done before on Christmas and am not all that likely to ever do again. Sadly, I do not have an underwater camera, so I have no shots of the many fish we saw, just this picture of pasty white North Americans heading back to the bus after a great morning on the water.
December 25 2010

big tree

Today we went for a drive down a very scary road and then went for a hike. Saw howler monkeys and white-faced capuchins–very cool.  We also saw some pretty amazing trees, including this one, which is a type of fig tree.
December 23 2010

hermie

we took a short ride down to the beach today, and I spotted a very tiny shell moving down the beach in a rather deliberate way. I picked it up and promptly got some tiny little pinches. I put it back down and he hid for a moment before scurrying away. This little guy was probably about the size of my pinkie fingernail.
December 22 2010