I thought it might be fun to take you all on a virtual hike. Let's go to the Cockscomb Basin, the only jaguar preserve in the world, and take the self guided hike through the jungle. We'll let Rafe lead.
Ok here's our first stop. Notice the log/stump on the right of the picture. 'This downed nargusta tree stump is evidence that the forest has been selectively logged, at first for mahogany then later for secondary hardwood like this nargusta. ... The rate of decomposition and nutrient cycling in the tropics may be up to four times faster than in temperate forests'
'The ceiba tree is a forest giant reaching a height of 50 metres and is found on forest margins and near rivers. Five or ten years may pass between flowerings, but one ceiba tree can produce up to 4,000 fruits each containing 200 or more seeds. The ceiba is a sacred tree to the maya, representing the tree of life. When a field is cut for a plantation, the ceiba trees are left.'
Continue walking down the path and look at the river flowing along beside the trail. The water is so clear. You can see the rocks and small fish swimming along with you. It is a beautiful day, not too hot but sunny with a gentle breeze blowing the tree tops. The forest smells fresh and green from the recent rains, the air is a little muggy but not bad, the birds are chirping along the way. You get the idea. But what's that? Loud noises in the tree tops. Animals? Birds? Leaves falling? No ... look ... howler monkeys in the trees. They are hard to see. Stand still and just watch. See that black thing swinging in the leaves? Howler monkey. No way to get a good pic of those. They are too far away. But you can remind yourself what they look like by checking out the pic you took of the last one:
Hey, look at that vine. Cool! It's all curly.
Oh wow! ' Notice the leaning tree has scratch marks made by Jaguars sharpening their claws. There are several marks up the tree, each older than the one before as the tree grew.' Really hoping we don't run into one of those!
Well, it's been just over an hour of walking through the jungle. Lets stop by the Stann Creek for a snack.
And home to make supper. Thanks for joining us on our hike. We'll definitely be back here. Lots more hikes in the basin.
Ok here's our first stop. Notice the log/stump on the right of the picture. 'This downed nargusta tree stump is evidence that the forest has been selectively logged, at first for mahogany then later for secondary hardwood like this nargusta. ... The rate of decomposition and nutrient cycling in the tropics may be up to four times faster than in temperate forests' 'The ceiba tree is a forest giant reaching a height of 50 metres and is found on forest margins and near rivers. Five or ten years may pass between flowerings, but one ceiba tree can produce up to 4,000 fruits each containing 200 or more seeds. The ceiba is a sacred tree to the maya, representing the tree of life. When a field is cut for a plantation, the ceiba trees are left.'Continue walking down the path and look at the river flowing along beside the trail. The water is so clear. You can see the rocks and small fish swimming along with you. It is a beautiful day, not too hot but sunny with a gentle breeze blowing the tree tops. The forest smells fresh and green from the recent rains, the air is a little muggy but not bad, the birds are chirping along the way. You get the idea. But what's that? Loud noises in the tree tops. Animals? Birds? Leaves falling? No ... look ... howler monkeys in the trees. They are hard to see. Stand still and just watch. See that black thing swinging in the leaves? Howler monkey. No way to get a good pic of those. They are too far away. But you can remind yourself what they look like by checking out the pic you took of the last one:Hey, look at that vine. Cool! It's all curly.Oh wow! ' Notice the leaning tree has scratch marks made by Jaguars sharpening their claws. There are several marks up the tree, each older than the one before as the tree grew.' Really hoping we don't run into one of those!Well, it's been just over an hour of walking through the jungle. Lets stop by the Stann Creek for a snack.And home to make supper. Thanks for joining us on our hike. We'll definitely be back here. Lots more hikes in the basin.
1 comment:
nice hike, doesnt look as cool as the coolest park in the world, mayflower bociwina,
todd
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