gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 When we got back to the beach, some of us took a dip. It was my first time in the Pacific Ocean and it was quite an experience. The waves came in batches, alternately weak and strong. When the weak waves were rolling in, the water level was only shin high. Then came the strong ones, and all of a sudden the water was chest high, and they had enough power to knock you off your feet! The beach was near the mouth of the stream along which we trekked, and the water at the mouth was turbid, probably due to the muddy run-off from the rain. I forgot who mentioned that a croc was seen swimming there towards the bathers in the ocean. Good thing I was told after I got up out of the water or I might not have gone in in the first place. After the dip, I went to the outdoor shower to wash off sand and salt, and I saw several big lizards near the shower. I approached to take pictures, but they scampered away except this guy who stopped in his track to take a look, so I was able to take this picture. After taking it, I tried to get a closer shot, but, to my surprise, it lifted it's front legs and run away in the manner of the Jesus Christ lizard, except he was not running on water, but rather on the ground. Could it be the JC lizard? After a hefty lunch, I went around and saw a vulture rummaging in the trash of the ranger station. I had for several days seen these vultures flying high above, so this was a good opportunity to see what they looked like up close. I approached with camera ready, but it flew up onto the fallen tree trunk ready to fly away at the first sign of danger. Having already taken some pictures, I eased nearer and this is the picture I took just before it soared away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 On the way back to the lodge, we passed a trail along the coastline. Near the landing area of the lodge, we saw this grove of palms, maybe Bactris. A closer view: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 A close-up of the crown: My, those spines are long and sharp! And here are some fruits: Anyone know what species it is? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff Searle 1,207 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 George, Nice photographs. I was wondering, what did your son think of Corcovado? Is he into nature and palms? Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 Back at the lodge, I saw this large lizard. As far as I can tell, it is the same as the presumptive JC lizard at the ranger station. But this one let me got close, maybe inured to the presence of paparazzis! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 This is my take of the sunset at the Corcovado Jungle Lodge. And, those were my wife, Aurora, and, I think, Jayanne shooting theirs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 16, 2008 Finally, a sunset view of Caño Island in the distance. I accidentally got water into the inside of my camera lens that night and had to wait for the water to dry out before I could take good pictures again. Luckily, it took only one night in the airconned room of the Hilton Doubletree Cariari Hotel and there was no damage to the camera. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KONADANTOM 1 Report post Posted August 17, 2008 Aloha George and Mahalo for continuing to post photos – Corcovado was a really wonderful experience. The brown lizards in your recent photos do have the same body appearance as those JC lizards that other tour guides pointed out during my other tours. However, those JC lizards that the guides showed us were always bright green in color. I don’t know if all of the JC lizards are always green in color. In my yard here on Big Island we do have lots of “gecko” lizards - some are green while others are brown. Pura vida! Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff in St Pete 720 Report post Posted August 18, 2008 Kim, after my recent trip to Corcovado, I looked at all your pictures again and enjoyed them a second time! I'm glad that we all went on the same hike through the park, it's great seeing it from different vantage points. No wonder I kept feeling dejavu when I was there. I had seen your pictures first! George, I really enjoyed your photos too! Especially the sunset over Caño Island. Regarding the JC lizard (Basilisk) there are brown ones and green ones although I mostly see the brown ones in this area. They really can run across water. I startled one on the pool deck one time and it took a short cut across the corner of the pool, right over top of the water. It's funny to watch them running on their back legs either on land or water! Thanks for the pictures. ¡Pura vida! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcyao 5 Report post Posted August 18, 2008 George, Nice photographs. I was wondering, what did your son think of Corcovado? Is he into nature and palms? Jeff Jeff, Thanks. Yours are better! He said not much to do there, altho he enjoyed nature while there. He learned a lot about palms during the Biennial, but he is not into palms. :( Dan, Pura Vida! The green one must be so much more beautiful! Jeff in Costa Rica, Thanks. Your pictures are so much better than mine. Thanks also for the info on the JC lizard. It's cool to realize that I had the privilege of seeing the JC lizard in person, especially to see one in action eventho not on water. :) By the way, comparing our pictures of the waterfall, the volume of water had increased a lot! Pura Vida! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulgila 206 Report post Posted October 13, 2008 great pix & narration,everyone! made me feel like i was there! maybe i should try & not be so snarky in my travel posts & just tell an interesting story like that....... nah! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SubTropicRay 177 Report post Posted October 14, 2008 Is there a bad photo in the bunch? Those shots are amazing and several are frame-able. Thanks for posting these. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
