Lowland Primary Tropical Forest
Field workearlier this year at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica was a wonderful experience. Though I went to photograph army ants, I thought I would highlight a few of the other wonders of the forest first. La Selva has beautiful primary forest and secondary forest all crawling with life.
The staff there were extremely helpful. I am especially indebted to Greivin Salazar who assisted me in the field.
Greivin Salazar and Terminalia
La Selva is a great place to see a wide variety of tropical forest mammals. Many are quite approachable. The collared peccaries are the most conspicuous. Though they seem to be oblivious to people here, you don’t want to insult them. Check out the tusks.
Collared Peccary dental check
The peccaries are practically lawn ornaments, always in view and easy to approach on the lawn near the lab, but also easy to observe in the forest.They’re happy to lie around and groom right off the path.
Grooming Collared Peccaries
There is plenty of nightlife at La Selva. I got an eye-level view of this mouse opossum – not much bigger that a typical mouse. They eat insects.
Mexican Mouse Opossum, Marmosa mexicana
Howler monkeys roar every morning, at the start of a heavy rain and whenever else the mood strikes. They sometimes cross the big suspension foot bridge over the Río Puerto Viejo that connects the headquarters with the rest of the station.
Mantled Howler Monkey on bridge
Spider Monkeys can also create quite a racket though nowhere near the volume of the howlers. This one was one of a group complaining loudly about our presence.
Central American Spider Monkey, Atleles geoffroyi