Professor Troy Abel from Huxley College of the Environment and his students share their insights on ecological citizenship, political biogeography, and immersions in one of the most biologically intense places on the planet. Costa Rica is translated as rich coast, a name originating from Spanish conquistadors who mistakenly thought the land was filled with gold. Many now recognize that Costa Rica’s riches are more green than gold with more than 4 percent of the world’s estimated biodiversity. Costa Rica has universal health care, a longer life expectancy than the U.S., and no military. Only by expanding our attention to all of these facets can one begin to see “Ecotopia’s Prism,” or Costa Rica’s intersections of ecology, economy, and culture fostering and inhibiting sustainability.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

"A Squawking Sunrise" by Lisa Karsen


Rise and shine students! It's 4:50am and half of the group is walking around in their headlamps getting ready to embark on a new adventure to count Scarlet Macaws. The Scarlet Macaw count is important because it allows the park to know the current population of Macaws in Carara.
Just down the road from our rugged Carara station lies a resort, Nativa Resort. This, unortunately, is where our Macaw count will take place. Now, you have to realize it is the morning of Day 6 in Carara and we have experienced everything from Tarantula's, smelly clothes (even after they are washed), and a sudden stop of our water flow (no showers?! for how long?! [this problem is now fixed!]). I say "unfortunately" because seeing a glimpse of luxury so close to home is a tease to our soul.
Behind the guarded gates of Nativa's entrance is a curvy, inclining road that gives us a perfect opportunity to spot an infinity pool complete with an open bar and even a volleyball court. The condos and hotels are nestled comfortingly into the trees and it is quite obvious that only the very rich could afford.
The van continued to climb past all these luxuries and up to the top of the ridge where the most beautiful view of the rainforest canopy appeared. Beside the rainforest wall lies the Pacific Ocean which goes as far as the eye can see beyond the horizon, behind where we stand the sun is rising quickly above the hills.
This is a sunrise that I will never forget, and this is where we spent just over an hour counting Scarlet Macaws as they sqauwked (Raaak, Raaak) and flew for miles over the canopy to some new destination. I believe our final count was 136 Scarlet Macaws, including 13 babies. Many of these exotic birds will fly in pairs (they mate for life) while others will fly as families in groups of 4 or 5.
I am forever thankful that I was able to spend such a glorious morning on this ridge feeling the warmth of a new days sun on my skin and watching the most beautiful birds in the world including Storks, Parrots, and flocks of bright green parakeets soar elegantly over the green canopy.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)