Aero: Shelby Seeley – Costa Rica 2013 – Biodiversity
Aero: Shelby Seeley – Costa Rica 2013 – Biodiversity
Aero: Shelby Seeley – Costa Rica 2013 – Biodiversity
Biodiversity is certainly present and accounted for in Costa Rica! The biodiversity in Costa Rica has certainly had an impact on the people who live there and their environmental consciousness as well. The amazing aspect to Costa Rica is that it is a small country yet you can experience mountains, city life, and fun at the beach all within a hop skip and a jump of each other. Each area has its own characteristics that make it amazingly unique and awe inspiring.
The mountains are home to so many different animals and plants that I would have a very difficult time trying to remember them all. The greenery at times made me feel like I was in an Indiana Jones film. It looks like no one has touched these areas in years. The flowers were just unbelievable colors that I wish I could have brought home. The orchids and birds of paradise at Lankester Botanical Gardens were absolutely stunning! The climate of Costa Rica allows such amazing plant life to grow year round. It made me appreciate that in New York we have seasons and can see the different stages of plant life.
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The wildlife in Costa Rica is just as spectacular as the plant life if not more. There were agoutis, coatis, capuchins oh my! Costa Rica is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic animals you will ever see. The birds are especially exotic looking and are often preyed upon by those who want to sell them as pets. Costa Rica wildlife rescue organizations like Zoo Ave bring these illegal transactions to mind with many signs discouraging the acts of taking wildlife. The truth is that the animals in the zoos could easily be living out in the open in Costa Rica. One time when we were driving in Monteverde to our next stop and a capuchin ran right in front of us across the road. The animal that I was ecstatic to see up close was a toucan. When we went to La Paz Waterfall Gardens I had the opportunity to have a Keel Bill (Rainbow) Toucan sit on my arm! This was the best part of my trip because they are my favorite type of bird.
Wildlife at the beach was just as interesting but in a different way. Hundreds of thousands of snails along with crabs in the sand before you reach the ocean can be a bit freaky. While boogie boarding after lunch the day at the beach is when I had the biggest surprise of all though. I was the farthest one out facing the beach waiting for a good wave when Stephanie said nonchalantly “that’s a stingray”. I immediately looked behind me and there in the next wave coming in was a large shadow that did in fact look like a sting ray. Trying to run/ride a wave in as fast as possible is a bit difficult when the only thought going through your head is “Steve Irwin died from a sting ray!” I was not that good at boogie boarding anyway so I had no problem handing over the board to someone else. Realistically I should have thought that seeing sting rays would be probable in Costa Rica but it honestly never even popped in my mind. Even before we arrived at the beach we stopped at a bridge to see crocodiles. I never would have guessed that I would see crocodiles one hundred feet below me!
The people of Costa Rica want to preserve the land that they live on and at the same time share the wonder of it with people from around the world. There are trash and recycling receptacles all over the entire country. People in the U.S. could definitely do better where trash and recycling are concerned. The guides for night walk tours, suspended bridge tours, zip lining, and air tram tours are full of information about their surroundings that they are more than happy to share with you. I never would have known about the hot lips flower, broccoli tree, or bullet ants.
Costa Rica is an amazing country to visit and the chances of seeing something new is often times a short drive away. The hiking does take some energy and can be long but the end results are unimaginable. Reaching the top of a volcano and being able to look down on it as well as see around for miles are completely worth it. If a person is ready for an adventure, I would highly suggest jet setting to Costa Rica and pronto!
– Shelby Seeley
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