Tárcoles River, Carara National Park and Poás Volcano

Tárcoles River

I think I’m finally catching up on my posts! It’s been a busy last couple of days packed with field lectures and hikes all over the country.

This huge crocodile got super close to our boat...

 First, we had a field trip to the Tárcoles River Basin and Carara National Park. The Tárcoles River watershed only covers 4% of the total land of the country, but contains 55% of the total population. As a result, the river basin contains a very large about of trash and debris from as far away as San José. That doesn’t make it any less beautiful however, and we started out the day trip on a boat at the mouth of the river, getting to see a ton of birds and animals while on our way to a lecture in the mangrove forest.

Field lecture on the mangrove forest
in a mangrove forest

Playa Azul

The mangroves are a crucial species that figuratively and literally supports an entire ecosystem. Practically grasping the water with their long roots designed for extra water, the mangroves provide homes and food from many species of fish, crabs, clams, birds, and other animals. 

I saw plenty of birds I’d never seen before: Yellow-headed Caracara, Rosette Spoonbill, Yellow-crested Heron, Magnificent Frigate Bird,  and White Ibis. And some I recognized from home: osprey, Neotropic Cormorant, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret and spotted Sand Piper.

After the mangrove lecture, we moved on to a small costal town called Playa Azul that saw the direct results from the trash of the Tárcoles River. Another lecture there about Waste Management and a quick lunch and we were on our way again to Carara National Park just across the closest highway. A hike there with Achim meant loads more info on plants and fungi of the Wet-to-Dry Tropical Pacific Forest.

A "young" strangler fig (about 100 years old)
growing on its host Cashew tree.

Another huge Kapok tree!

On our hike through Carara National Park!

The next day we were off on another trip to the Central Volcanic Mountain Range for a visit to Poás Volcano National Park. We started with a morning hike with Achim again. He is by far my favorite person to have guide our hikes. He seems to enjoy our banter and get along well with us while still teaching us a lot. The park is in a Tropical Montane forest. Almost like home: oaks, elders, blueberries, a celery (and Queen Anne’s Lace) related plant and much colder than anywhere we’ve been so far!

The Elfin Forest!

At Botos Lagoon 

A nice hike to an old crater now called Botos lagoon from its remaining lake, then through the “Elfin” Forest of crazy, twisted vines and finally to the main crater! The view was mind-blowing and beautiful (if not a little stinky!)

The active crater at Poás Volcano National Park!