Blog 4

I was not ready for the low land forest. It appears so amazing watching people walk through the jungle looking at awesome animals and being completely oblivious to the heat and humidity. It was very hot and humid, and I was not ready for the no A/C conditions that I would be staying in for the next several days. I did appreciate ice being available. I had a hard time adjusting to the heat and sleep was even more difficult due to constantly sweating until very early in the morning when there was a break in the temp. The best sleep I got was at 2 am to 5am.

Las Salvas was an amazing place to see insects and animals. The first day we were introduced to a Katydid, Figure 1.

(Fig 1) Katydid (Moss camo)

We were serenaded periodically by the howler monkeys. It was the first time I had hear them in this new environment and it was kind of spooky to hear them. It’s a good thing they are not aggressive and appear lazy because they sound like a beast, Figure 2.

(Figure 2) Howler Monkey

There were so many bird species with so many colors. We learn about camouflage and how it is used to decrease predation and yet it is incredibly difficult to see animals with bright colors of red, yellow, blue and black, figure 3. I began realizing that the bright colored flowers in the trees and epiphytes matches the bright colors and that the animals matched well with their surroundings.

(Fig 3) Montezuma oropendola