Latin America # 6 - Costa Rica Rain Forest, Part # 2

 

Latin America # 6

 Costa Rica Rain Forest, Part # 2

Getting ready for an adventure!

Tram takes us up into the rainforest 

Waterfall below us

Black “ball” is a termite nest. They’re all over the place.

Parasite plant finds a nice home

Ragged yellow shapes on right side of tree is a stream of “thousands” of leaf ants. Each ant carries a leaf to the nest.

Looking up at the canopy

Wild flowers

Iguanas are all over the place. This one is about two feet long.

 Interesting colors...

 and shapes  

Nature’s bark and root design features

Iguana’s coloring protects from predators 

A contrast of colors and textures

Cacao or coffee pod

Natural defense against predators

Ouch!

Notice the “bugs” on the noodle-like plants. Plant leaves are eaten at night by a variety of insects. 

A parasitic plant finds a new home.

Tropical butterfly

Rich coloring!

Beautiful!

“Circle” coloring is a defense mechanism against predators. Predators tend to “attack” the circle rather than the butterfly’s body which will increase the butterfly’s survival rate.

Another exotic plant

Strange looking plant

“Flowering” occurs in strange ways

Plants provide “materials” for a variety of applications

Ants cut leaves up and take pieces to nest

Bats use plants for protection

Guess what this warning sign is about?

We have a full size cart like this at home

“Hello! How’s it going?”

Jerry collects international and micro-brewery beer bottles

I Can...You Can...Toucan!

Sammy, the sloth!