Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park
As we came to the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, the sunrise indicated that it was going to be a perfect day. We anchored at Drake Bay and departed for our learning tours. While horseback riding we heard the forest talking to us, it was a Scarlet Macaw (Ara macaws) on top of an Almond Tree. Other groups saw Toucans, Mantled Howler Monkeys (Aloutta paliata), and Central American Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). A huge biodiversity of trees makes you wonder about the life process that each one has gone through to survive, fighting with other trees for light, for example.
We finished our adventure at the private reserve of Peninsula Osa. We went towards San Pedrillo in the Corcovado National Park. Sparkling saltwater received us on shore and we were ready to explore the trails. Our willingness to see wildlife was satisfied when a considerable amount of Howler Monkeys (Aloutta paliata) were seen on the trail that takes us to a waterfall. Golden Orb Spiders (Nephila clavipes) had a real domain of the trails, waiting for insects to fall in their traps. By far Golden Orb Spiders (Nephila clavipes) were the most common species of spider in this area of the park.
A Brown Throated Three toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus) was found hanging upside down from a Ficus ssp. and scratching its back. It looked like it was waving at us.
We left Corcovado National Park and embarked the last Zodiacs back to the National Geographic Sea Lion. A marine mammal was visible from the ship – a Humpback Whale, kind enough to let us see it while we were having an incredible sunset.
Fortunately all these species live in a very healthy forest on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park.
