Esquinas River and Casa Orquideas, Golfo Dulce
Today we had a great start after a flat navigation in Golfo Dulce during the night. This gulf is located on the Southern Pacific side of Costa Rica, one of the most exuberant regions in the country.
After breakfast, we had the guests divided in two groups, the Zodiac cruisers and the kayakers; our morning destination was Esquinas River, a beautiful ecosystem of Tropical mangroves. Despite the fairly large size of the river’s mouth, the navigation is completely tidal dependant, due to the fact that the water level goes down ten feet.
Our timing was perfect and so was the weather. On the Zodiacs we started our exploration of the mangroves, navigating upstream looking for wildlife. The kayakers took the same route, but at their own pace. A group of white ibises flew overhead in the blue sky, while a group of whimbrels were whistled, producing an echo, as they flew away. The tall mangroves formed a green wall along the river, so we were close to the borders, when suddenly a group of white-faced capuchin monkeys showed up, foraging in the forest. They are an omnivorous species, so they move a lot, looking for insects and lizards, or other sources of food. In the silent forest, their vocalizations were heard well. During our expedition we also found tree boas, which are fairly common, ospreys, common black hawks, collared swifts and different species of herons and egrets.
Later we returned for Global Market and lunch while repositioning the National Geographic Sea Lion. Afterward Maguil offered a lecture about the ethnobotany of the region, in preparation for our visit to Casa Orquideas, a private botanical garden surrounded by a lush rain forest in Golfo Dulce.
Just as we were wetlanding in these magnificent gardens, six scarlet macaws flew by welcoming us. Here, we could enjoy the tropical blossoms of heliconias, orchids, epiphytes, and lots of birds around the property. A couple of black-mandibled toucans flew to a tree to eat and started calling loud, which of course attracted many of us. We also saw tent-making bats and more scarlet macaws, this time eating palm fruits. Later in the afternoon we returned onboard for cocktails and recaps. Tomorrow Panama.
