Costa Rica 2011 Part 6: Santa Elana Preserve

Guanacaste is the national tree of Costa Rica. We see many of these as we drive from Adrenal to La Fortuna. They have seed pods that look like ears. The seeds inside are dark with a light ring around them. They are commonly used to make jewelry.

We drive very far to arrive at El Bosque Lodge stopping only to visit Santa Elana preserve.

Emerald toucans are small green birds and natural predators of quetzels.  This preserve has many interesting plants including wild tarrow, cecotia, heleconias, malasta massey, lemon ciparuna, ericacya and begonias. Gesnariad are a hummingbird pollinated epiphyte vine with a bright orange flower.

Some vines there are not as pretty and quite unpleasant to touch. When I was walking a lawyer vine hooked into me and wouldn't let go.  Chuskuia is a vine with hairs that stick into you if you touch it. Many plants in Costa Rica produce defense compounds and have uses in ethnobotany.

 At the lodge I found a scorpion near the path at night. It was very cool.