Cloudy Forest

Hanging Bundle

Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops)

Slate-throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus)

Rattlesnake Ginger (Calathea crotalifera)

Green-crowned Brilliant – M (Heliodoxa jacula)

Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)

Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)

Green-crowned Brilliant – juv (Heliodoxa jacula)

Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)

I was up early the following morning for a wildlife tour of the world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. True to its name, we were hiking in a cloud most of the time. Thankfully, it was only a drizzle, or as they say up here, pelo de gato (a fine, cat hair-like mist).

The reserve protects 26,000 acres of virgin forest, covering six life zones in the Cordillaren de Tilarán (mountains that form the continental divide between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts). There were many moments during our three hour stroll that the verdant landscape reminded me of the Hot Rainforest in Olympic National Park. 

According to our guide, the woods were unusually quiet that day but I enjoyed chatting with my companions, lovely folks from both Denver and Houston. Thankfully, we did manage to spot a few stunning birds, especially at the hummingbird garden near the entrance. Overall, a wonderful way to spend a day!