Eco classroom -Costa Rica

We have spent some of our time in the classroom learning TEAM's protocols for camera traps, vegetation sampling and climate data.  We were able to practice the quadrat vegetation sampling in the field as well as the camera traps, but had to postpone the climate data field experience because of weather.  We were going to climb a tower which holds the climate monitors and it was too dangerous with the thunder and lightning.

One of the teams from Florida set up their camera traps on Monday in various locations around La Selva.  A Puma was recorded at 8:30 pm on Tuesday evening and the scientists here were very excited. The location of that particular camera trap is about 100 yards from our classroom.  We were walking back to our cabins from a presentation about that same time that evening.


Our team will be sampling primary and secondary growth forest to determine their CO2 sequestration potential.  We have set up a unit plan to use the techniques we have learned here in our classrooms.


Wednesday afternoon we took a 3 hour guided tour where we saw a few animals, including iguanas and sloths.  We also saw several different species of birds, bullet ants and remarkably varied and beautiful vegetation.  This morning we went on a 10 km rafting tour down the Rio Puerto Viejo.

Spider Monkeys hanging out on the bridge....

View of a stream from our guided tour.

 

 

View of the Rio Puerto Viejo.

Our guide showing us Bullet Ants. 

 It is extremely painful to be bitten or stung by a bullet ant and one woman in our group was bitten the first day in the field.  She's was ok, but in alot of pain.

Just a really cool tree along the path.....

These are peccaries.  They are everywhere and not at all afraid of us.  They have a strong, unattractive odor, so you know when they are close.

The coffee here is really good.....and bold!

Lizards are every where...I'm sure you're not surprised.

It rains here....... a lot!!!!!.....it is sunny one minute and the next is a downpour, so we have our umbrellas with us constantly.  The staff here has perfected the skill of riding a bike while holding onto an umbrella:)