Golfo Dulce, Esquinas River & Casa Orquideas
Today, nature stimulated a romantic feeling, a very unique sunrise with pink and orange hues colored the sky as we entered Golfo Dulce. Located on the leeward of the Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce is one of the fewest standing vast forests in the Central American pacific region. We can find a pristine ecosystem with a rainfall over 190 inches (4826mm) and 2.5% of the total diversity of the world. For the last decade within the Golfo Dulce area, we have many successful conservation initiatives.
There is an entire biological corridor system with the active participation of local farmers, residents and government institutions. Today we visit both. In the morning we headed toward the Rio Esquinas, recently added as part of the Piedras Blancas National Park. Some special birds like white ibis, little blue herons and whimbrels, as well as a feeding frenzy that included magnificent frigatebirds, royal terns and laughing gulls were observed and widely photograph by our guests. Even some lucky guests found the always elusive parrot snake and northern tree boa.
By early afternoon, we enjoyed a refreshing swimming opportunity, descending from the fantail of the ship. Our main activity though, was related to a unique botanical garden in the area: Casa Orquideas.
With an admirable mystique, Ron and Trudy Mc Callister started this distinctive lifetime project more than three decades ago with a tenacious and enduring passion for the natural flora. Their estate amazed all travelers and kept us busy photographing and observing some of the most representative birds of the area. Red capped and blue crowned manikins, together with the scarlet macaws and chestnut mandibled toucans, became the stars of this entertainment; hence their coloration hypnotized our photo lenses and our spirits during our last day in Costa Rica.
