Ecological Reserve- Day 31

Nearing the end of our trip we decide to take a break from the extensive hikes through the cloud forest. Today we settled for a nice breakfast and returned to the Ecological Reserve. This was a much drier habitat.

After talking to the locals who run the place for the owner (who lives in the US) we discovered that there was a lateral striped viper on the property. The boy working at the cash had gotten directions from his mother who had already see it. His excitement combined with ours led him to come along with us for our own personal tour of the property and showed us the exact spot where the viper was seen. As our guide was looking under this large fallen over log right beside the path where the snake was seen earlier that day, I pull Chris' flashlight from his packpack and before he has time to turn it on... I spot it. The gorgeous sleek curls of a arboreal viper wrapped around a few thin branches under the fallen over log. The boy quickly moved after discovering his face within strike distance. The snake didn't seam phased at all by us.

Lateral-striped Viper (Bothriechis lateralis)

Lateral-striped Viper (Bothriechis lateralis)

Lateral-striped Viper (Bothriechis lateralis)

It was hard for the three of us avid snake lovers to tear ourselves away from this creature but we knew it was time to leave it alone where it was. We offered to move it away from the path so that other tourist were not in harms way but the owners didn't mind it where it was. I'm sure it will be good for business and exciting for their night tours. This snake had been sitting in the same place for a few days now and didn't seam very keen on moving anytime soon.

 We knew that the lateral-striped viper would be our best possible find but we had renewed hope and a lot more energy. We could leave Santa Elena satisfied knowing we had seen a snake neither of us expected to see. It was the best reptile I have ever had the pleasure of finding and the memory will last a lifetime.

 Continuing along we were able to truly enjoy the warmth of Costa Rica. A bright sunny day in the mountains was the perfect way to end our trip.

Hoping to find another viper hanging around in the leaf litter we kept our eyes open and soon came across a different sort of reptile. This anole had quite dull colours but a bright orange dewlap. This bright coured skin is most often not visible on the anole unless they are giving mating or territorial displays.

Anole sp.

 Also in the ecological reserve we saw a large black bird the size of a chachalaca. The lookouts and waterfalls were gorgeous. The main trails were very well maintained and could support even large groups of people but some of the smaller less used trails were in need of some maintenance.

Turquoise browed Motmot

We didn't get too far on our walk home before spotting one of my favorite types of tropical birds.

Motmots  (Momotidae) not only sound cool but they have incredible colouration. The unique long tails which have a racket like tip are one of the things that make this group so unusual.  These birds have their highest diversity here in Central America.

Turquoise browed Motmot

  As I was standing there by the road as still as I could be waiting for the right pose by this lovely bird... a brown blur comes out of the bushes beside me chasing another brown blur. A quick look and I recognize the familiar shape of an aguti.

Aguti