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Asa Wright Nature Centre


RainForestt Robert

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Two weeks ago I took some visiting friends from the US, Lebanon and Curacao to visit the Asa Wright Nature Centre.  Originally the home of an estatem the Nature Centre is one of the first in the Caribbean. A private institution run by a board of directors, the focus of the foundation is conservation and preservation of the Arima Valley rainforest.  They have purchased lands adjacent to the estate, prevent hunting and cutting down of the trees for agricultural activities.

The Arima Valley as view from the porch of the Asa Wright Nature Centre

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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The Nature Centre has been in operation since 1967.  It is one of the first of its kind here in the Caribbean.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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Asa Wright is famous in the bird watching world for the number of species that can be viewed at this location.  I am amazed at the number of people who actual come to Trinidad to view birds.  On the grounds is a colony of oilbirds.  Only overnight guests get to visit the caves where these birds reside.

Floral arrangement in the lobby.  The photos on the left and right are of Asa Wright, who left her property to the foundation.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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The rainy season has just begun here, so it being the rainforest, rain was ever present.  Photography was a bit difficult, so not to many photos of birds.  Apart from the rain, the tourguide did indicate that the valley was full of fruit, so many of the birds were dispersed.  We did notice the nests of one of the birds, Oro pendula, located at the tip of the branches of this tree.  Predators have a bit of a challenge accessing the nests.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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One of the benefits of the centre is easy access to the rainforest.  You can observe the presence of leaf cutting ants, who have opened up their own highway, so to speak.

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Ants play a remarkable role in the tropical rainforest, clearing canopy to allow sunlight to filter to lower levels.  They also one of the prime reasons why leaves and other organic material gets recycled to humus in quick time.

Here are leaves that have been rejected by the ants because the moisture level is too low.

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Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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The main palm in the rainforest at this location is Euterpe oleracea.  Here are a few shots of this graceful and beautiful palm.

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After being thoroughly soaked, we enjoyed a lunch that consisted of crops grown on the grounds.  A souvenir or two and then it was back to the concrete jungle, traffic jams etc.

Asa Wright Nature Centre, one of the stops you should make, if you ever make down my way.

Robert

Trinidad!  Southernmost island in the Caribbean.

So many plants, So little space.

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I spy some Guadua in the first picture, lower right corner. I wasn't aware that Guadua was native to Trinidad. Perhaps it has just naturalized in that area. Cool photos.

Cincinnati, Ohio USA & Mindo, Ecuador

 

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