Feb. 12th: research project in Corcovado

Today we split into groups and did mini research projects. We collected data in the morning, analyzed it and made a poster in the afternoon, and then presented our poster and findings after dinner. I had the best project: sitting on the beach watching pelicans. Our questions were, do juvenile, subadult, and adult pelicans spend different amounts of time fishing and do they have different success rates? We took turns watching a pelican in each age group for 30 minutes, counting how many dives it made and how many were successful. A successful fishing attempt was when a pelican swallowed whatever it caught in it's pouch/bill. Every hour, we also counted how many pelicans of each age group were sitting on rocks and how many were actively foraging. It was another hot, humid day, but we sat in the shade on the warm sand while a nice sea breeze kept the humidity at bay. I remained barefoot all day; it was fabulous.

Our analysis concluded that all age groups of pelicans were equally successful at catching fish, but the juvenile birds put in more effort. They were seen actively foraging the most, possibly because they need more food or are less efficient than adults because they haven't learned the proper technique. Indeed, we observed several juveniles splashing around comically and coming up empty-pouched. After our poster was finished, we cooled off in the ocean with our study subjects diving around us. New friends and I studied on the beach under the stars, and I went to bed excited for tomorrow's long hike through the rainforest.

Feb. 11th: orientation to Corcovado

This morning I awoke with the sun at about 5:45. I laid on top of my borrowed sleeping bag, listening to the ocean and a cacophony of bird calls. I had no hope of trying to identify the birds by sound; I only know some of the most common ones at home, here they are all completely new. It was already quite humid, and I was pretty awake, so I got up to check out the birds. I gathered my binoculars and field guide and wandered down the beach towards the creek. Two Bare-throated Tiger Herons fought over fish near the rocks and a Social Flycatcher built its nest in a tree overhanging the creek. Most of the pelicans were still resting on the rocks near the sand. I also saw a Cherrie's Tanager flitting about in the palm trees. Not bad for a 45 minute stroll before breakfast.

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Social Flycatcher

Cherrie's Tanager

We ate breakfast (rice, beans, eggs, watermelon, and pineapple) at the picnic table outside, looking out at the ocean, with more howler monkeys calling in the trees. I received some good news about my missing bag; it had been found on the boat, and I would get it back eventually. Yay!

At 8:00, we converged on the grassy area with hiking shoes, water, and species books. We split into four groups to walk a short ways and learn about the diverse array of plants and animals in Corcovado National Park. There is a species report for each of the 200 species that I have to know. A species report consists of checking out a species, and one of our professors or a student giving a 5-15 minute shpeel on the species' (but sometimes just the genus) natural history. Today we did species reports on several plants and animals, my favorite of which was the Norops lizard. This genus is usually known as anole lizards. They are small and fast. Mature males have a colorful flap of skin on their chins called a dewlap, which they use to look sexy for the female Norops.

extending the male Norops' dewlap

This is definitely the coolest classroom ever. I get to see and touch and smell and experience the species I learn about in their natural setting. We're outside all day, immersed in tropical diversity. I don't know if my sense of awe at this place will ever wear off.

Lunchtime! We're lucky enough to have a team of cooks camping with us who cook and clean up after all our meals. This doesn't really feel like camping; I expected to have a chore list. I'm not complaining though. It's nice to not have to worry about that stuff. We can focus on enjoying the experience. Soon after lunch, we checked out the creek again. Lo and behold, there was the crocodile! Just chilling on the bank.

a little blurry...

I also saw my first trogon, a female Slaty-tailed Trogon, perched in the tree above the picnic table.

After lunch, we divided into groups again. While learning about more plants with Moncho, we watched a coati sniff around and then take a nap on a tree branch. Have I mentioned this is the coolest classroom ever?

Coatis are in the same family as raccoons

We finished with scheduled activities in late afternoon. Most of us decided to take the 30 minute hike to the waterfall to cool down in the creek. Before we left, we spotted some howler monkeys in the trees right above our camp. A couple of them had babies clinging to their backs.

At the waterfall

We returned from the waterfall hike in time for dinner. Later, I used the chilly outdoor showers while more howler monkeys called in the trees overhead. Best shower location ever. After some studying, we took the lanterns and some drinks to the beach. We chilled on the sand, talking and singing along with the people in the group who brought guitars. It was an awesome end to the day.


N.B. Some of these photos are mine, some are from friends, and some are from Google Images.