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When Virtual and Real Worlds Collide ........


RainForestt Robert

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Before we realized it our Aerial tram ride was coming to an end. We noticed that numbers on the poles were dwindling. We wondered if we could go around again. Sadly it was not to be.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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A few more random photos.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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FYI

Construction of the Aerial Tram begain in 1991 and was completed in 1994. Operations began in October of that year. Approx 40 persons employed there.

Welfia is often called the Royal palm in Costa Rica. The leaves are used for thatching. The trunk is not utilized much because it is so tough.

There is approximately 8 metres of rain at that location annually. There was no rain when we visited.

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Rainforest Robert. That sounds good. Great pictures Sr. Selva. The Euterpe precatoria pictures are great. It is nice to see them up there as well.

dk

Don Kittelson

 

LIFE ON THE RIO NEGRO

03° 06' 07'' South 60° 01' 30'' West

Altitude 92 Meters / 308 feet above sea level

1,500 kms / 932 miles to the mouth of the Amazon River

 

Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil - A Cidade da Floresta

Where the world´s largest Tropical Rainforest embraces the Greatest Rivers in the World. .

82331.gif

 

Click here to visit Amazonas

amazonas2.jpg

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We got off the gondolas and posed for a group picture. We had so many digicams that the Aerial Tram personnel thought it best not to offer to sell us their "official" photo.

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L to R: El Hoagie, La Hoagie, Dan "The Appetite" Ashley, Trinidad Bob aka RainForestt Robert, Barry from South Africa and Judith Kay

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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While all the others were on the tram we got a chance to look around the gift shop. Just outside was this beautiful Vriesa in bloom.

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Cryosophila

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Inside the gift shop there were many opportunities for shopping. T-shirt specials were everywhere. Many of us took advantage of "Buy 2 Ts, get the 3rd Free". I made sure to buy an Aerial Tram Tshirt because I enjoyed it so much.

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There were many books on sale re: Costa Rica's flora and fauna. I took this photo to reference when on Amazon.

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Of all the gift shops we visited I liked the laid back atmosphere of this one the most.

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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With the shopping done it was time to look around some more until it was time to leave. Hey, are those some Welfia seedlings I see over there?

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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I really loved the extent to which Costa Ricans recycle. Everywhere we went we saw three bins like these.

Recycling made easy.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Just beyond the gift shop there was an orchid exhibit or plants that had recently been recovered from the A Tram property. Since they were recently mounted most were not in bloom.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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We were then bused to the highway parking lot where Bus 4 awaited. We all shared stories about the Tram. While waiting for the bus to fill up some of us looked around.

This spider looked so cool as he tried to protect this Bactris hondurensis.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Braulio Carrillo National Park seemed to be about 5 minutes away from the Aerial Tram.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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We broke up into several groups, each with a guide, and headed out on the trails. Since they are adjacent to each other, this offered an opportunity to see many of the plants we had seen from the air up close. Johnny gave the normal warning about snakes. Before we were finished we appreciated the warnings! It all started out well, we stayed with the group, but within a few minutes everyone was moving at their own pace.

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Johnny was an excellent and knowledgeable guide.

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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As I said, this was a chance for close up viewing, checking out the palms in situ, observing their growing conditions, etc. Here are a few.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Astrocaryum alatum

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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This Asterogyne was quite cute.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Calyptrogyne ghiesbreghtiana showing its spicate inflorescence

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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This leaf gives an indication of the high rainfall in the forest. Check out the moss.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Trees with a variety of life forms..

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Including orchids

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Very very enjoyable!! :D

I hope that there are lots more coming?!? :hmm:

Where is Ryan?! WE WANT RYAN!! RYAN !! RYAN!!! RYAN !!! (chanting over here) :o:o:o

Gene

Manila, Philippines

53 feet above sea level - inland

Hot and dry in summer, humid and sticky monsoon season, perfect weather Christmas time

http://freakofnaturezzz.blogspot.com/

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Gene, thanks for the kind comments. Even I enjoy the postings by the other attendees and I am awaiting Ryan's postings eagerly!

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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The trail through the park was well laid out as can be seen in the photo below.

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Just off the trail we spotted an anteater moving along a tree branch. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Costa Rican wildlife.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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There were a number of plants that had interesting leaf color, texture and design. Here are a few.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Most of these leaves were within a few feet, and in many instances, inches, from each other. Amazing.

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Close up of this very beautiful leaf.

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I wonder how many of these plants are in widespread cultivation?

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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A decaying leaf against one in its prime.

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A giant alocasia

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A newly emerging leaf. We called this "The fiddlehead fern"

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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All this could be seen mere inches from the trail. I did not see anyone venturing off the trail. It made you wonder what you would find if you really explored the forest.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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I'm trying to give a vertical perspective with these photos

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Another interesting plant that no one seemed to be able to id.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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These two photos show the differences between Iriatea and Socratea seedlings. First the Socratea with the split terminal leaflets, followed by the Iriatea.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Robert,

Some of the vegetation in the park where you took the pictures reminds me of the Atlantic coast rainforest in southern Brazil much more than around here. The park looks very well managed. I wish that were the case around here. We have several large parks in Amazonas the largest beiing the National Park of Jau. Unfortunately it is quite remote and difficult to visit. To give you an idea of the size the Cost Rica park is 47.583

hectares, Jau is 2,272,000 hectares. The total land area of Costa Rica is 5,066,000 hectares or a little over twice the size of Jau Nationa Park. I have been there, altough only at the entrance. It would be nice that some day the infrastructure is in place to be available for more people to visit.

dk

Don Kittelson

 

LIFE ON THE RIO NEGRO

03° 06' 07'' South 60° 01' 30'' West

Altitude 92 Meters / 308 feet above sea level

1,500 kms / 932 miles to the mouth of the Amazon River

 

Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil - A Cidade da Floresta

Where the world´s largest Tropical Rainforest embraces the Greatest Rivers in the World. .

82331.gif

 

Click here to visit Amazonas

amazonas2.jpg

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Welfias were everywhere, each plant seemingly more stunning than the next.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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I believe that these were the last Welfias that I saw on the biennial. They have made a lasting impression.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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After seeing this Eyelash Viper on the roots of a Socratea and desire to venture of the pathway evaporated. Who knows what could be lurking out there.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Some of the aerial roots were taller that me, and I'm about 6 feet tall.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Another beautiful bromeliad.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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This stand of palms was one of the best groupings that I saw in Costa Rica.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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What a great time you all must have had. It took me 30 minutes just to quickly scan through the pictures. I will have to go back and read the posts over time. It's great to be able to connect names with faces. You did an excellent job of photo-documenting the experience and posting it all so that you don't have to double click the thumbnails.....thanks Bob for this monumental effort.

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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Wildlife along the trail. This little fella did not seem to be fazed by our presence. He just stood there and posed for a few minutes.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Bromeliad in bloom

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Heliconia flower

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Spent heliconia flower

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Trees in the rainforest can grow really quickly. However, many of them have relatively shallow root structures. When exposed to prolonged running water they can topple. Check this out.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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