The Costa Rican Jungle Paradise  

above Female Howler Monkey with infant 

Howler Monkeys are heard at the first hint of day about 4:30 am. These melodious calls are
a prominent and endearing feature of Guanacaste in Northwest Costa Rica. Visitors are initially taken-aback and awakened by the monkey morning chorus, but after a while, it becomes a soothing familiar sound, reassuring continued sleep or prompting an earlier view of the sunrise with the message "All is well in the rainforest". 

Nature has become quite ingenious in many ways.Trees have evolved very effective features to protect their fruit and leaves from being decimated. This tree has survived by producing sharp thorns to prevent animals from striping its tasty seeds prematurely.      

Baru trees above and below

Baru Thorn Trees have serious thorns and I would also become a howler if I had to shimmy up one. The forest here is remarkable with such diversity in flora and fauna. Unbelievable insects, reptiles mammals and birds, with some unique forms and adaptations
punctuate an endless biodiversity. Every time I go out into the forest I discover something intriguing such as tiny spiders in bright colors that jump on their prey.
There is also the irritating spiral grass which attaches to your foot and works it's way through your boot to anchor itself there in order to get it's seeds transported. It hurts too when it spirals down as far as your foot. There are also huge Boa Constrictors (about 12ft) that are as impressive as they are intimidating, with a really handsome angular head shape. Gorgeous flowers designed to attract pollinating insects never fail to impress with their complexity, form and pure beauty.

Wild Hibiscus above

Green Iguana (above)  a beautiful female in a typical leisure pose in the trees 

    

Squirrel Cuckoo (below)

There are also absolutely gorgeous black Scorpions that startle when you meet them in the shower, but they are a most amazing 8 legged creature and an animal that has not changed for over 400 million years. Next time I run into one, I will get a picture of this masterpiece of evolution.
The last time, a large individual caused minor panic, and did not survive long enough for a photo session.