Heart Beats from the Rainforest

Cost a Rica

速Glenda Arlene Morris De Orlich

www.motropics.com info@motropics.com

G raphic D esign & I lustrations :

G isela S anchez T inoco

sancheztinoco@gmail.com www.giselasanchez.com www.atg.gs ISBN 978-9968-47-135-0

P r i n te d i n C o s t a R i c a

by M a s te r l i t h o .C.A.

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Rainforest Cost a Rica Te x t & P h o to gr a p hy by Glenda Arlene Morris de Orlich

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Words to Visitors I am an North American residing in Costa Rica.

The photographs in the following pages are from a Costa Rican rain forest, my backyard. They are unedited-- nature “as is.”

I have purposely excluded their scientific names because, as in life, the important thing is not who we are, but what we are.

If you are an international student or teacher who has traveled to Costa Rica to study and educate others on the importance of the rain forest, thank you!

If you are a tourist, visit one of our many rain forest and experience the adventure of a zip line. In so doing, you can say, “The monkey man traveled through the jungles on vines; I did it on a zip line!”

Or, simply take a guided tour through a rain forest.

If you get a chance, stand in silence, inhale deeply, and truly listen with your soul.

When you return to your homelands, carry back with you the memories, a renewed soul, and photos of the sights of mankind’s source of life: the rain forest.

Alongside this book, place an orchid close to your bedroom window, not only as a constant reminder of your jungle experience and renewed soul, but for the oxygen they release, and carbon dioxide they absorb at night-- the reverse from most plants.

Enjoy the photo album, and thank you!

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The Salvation of Humanit y

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to a life saver-- literally.

The unexpected death of my only brother occurred only seven years after my Mom’s sudden death. The lost of both engulfed me in a lifeless black veil of mourning. For the first few years, I endured a profound sleep of grief and eventually a total disconnection of soul from body. I was no longer inside my body, but lingered in limbo awaiting reentry.

jewel-like effect. Bangle bracelets of contorted vines were draped in emeralds of moss, studded in diamond clusters of water droplets. Aromatic and colorful orchid blooms, bromeliads and a complete array of living microorganisms took their place amongst the royal court of treasures.

I stood in awe. I heard a heart beat: mine!

In a desperate attempt to find life, I sought professional help but the advice seemed useless; there was no association of I put my hand into the water stream. An emotional tear words and meaning. They suggested medication, but for me ran down my cheek, fell into the water under my feet and that would only mask the problem by prolonging the discon- merged with the waterfall. The one tear became all the tears nection and agony. Nothing seemed to work.

I had shed over the years. I watched as the water violently poured over the cliff into the river and flowed far away from The silence of death became a constant companion, along me. Unexplainable, something had left me from within. In with a haunting inner force driving me to return to an old relief, I lifted my face toward the heavens, closed my eyes and friend, the rainforest. With no inner strength left, I finally deeply inhaled the aromatic breeze. As I did so, the jungle’s soul heeded the calling from within and accompanied my husband became entrapped within the very core of my dying spiritual on a trip close to a familiar rain forest. The scenic drive which being. The overpowering awareness of life surged throughout was once so full of exuberant beauty was now meaningless. my numbed senses, and the blinding black veil of death at last I felt nothing except emptiness, saw nothing but blurred im- lifted. ages passing by, and heard only the same deafening silence of death that I had heard for so many months.

Ironically, to find life, it was necessary to return to the very origin of life itself, and it was there, amongst the trees of Once at our destination, we parted ways and I began my knowledge, where my body and soul reunited and I once again familiar journey to the river. A few minutes into the walk, I found life. mysteriously stopped in my tracks and realized, that I was experiencing an association between sound and object, a roar I never said goodbye to my friend, but in gratitude, I visit her from a waterfall. Puzzled, I listened and continued the journey often. It is here, in the rainforest, surrounded by nature, where until I came upon that awesome sight atop the waterfall.

I receive the blessings of spiritual peace and wellbeing and leave behind, if only for a day, the overwhelming stress of life.

I saw the sun’s rays illuminate century- old trees, creating a Cost a Rica

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Introduction to the Jungle Wor ld

Before my love affair with the rainforest, my husband knew that the only way he could get me to agree to a jungle adventure would be to convince me that snakes did not exist in Costa Rica. Naive at the time, which was years ago, I believed the man, so it was off to the jungles. It was a grueling 10-hour drive and a frightening 45 - minute one - motor boat trip through the river and onto the rough ocean waters. The river was not so bad, but as we neared the disembogue, I soon learned the meaning of “Through Hell and high waters!” One tourist, with a deer caught in the headlights look, turned to her husband and said, “This is what you call roughing it.” I thought, “Honey, you do not know the half of it. I’ve been roughing it for years.”

To my relief, we made it to our destination, which was far from heaven. The boat stopped and we were to jump out and wade to the beach! There was no hotel in sight.

Instead, we were greeted by an armed guide and were told to hike 500 meters uphill to a particular area. They would take care of the luggage and supplies. That was the first and only good news of the day.

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Introduction

Once at the designated area, we received instructions in a small welcoming room; a better name would be the “room of horrors.” I saw creatures I had never seen before and never want to see again. “ Set them free,” never entered my mind. The walls were lined with glass jars containing mostly snakes. As our guide’s pointed finger scanned the line of gallon size jars, he stated , “All these snakes came from this compound. They are ALL poisonous. If you are lucky to be bitten during the day, we can get you to the nearest hospital in 15 hours, but there is no way to transport you during the night.” I slowly turned around in disbelief and stared at my husband. As they say, if looks could kill, he was most definitely a goner that day!

at 10.p.m. Everyone had to be in their huts or suffer the consequences of coming face to face with the jaguars that frequented the compound at night.

With that, the “welcoming” was completed, so we were escorted to our rooms: “Palm leaf huts.” Things were not looking good: not even close to what I had expected. I knew this was going to be a very long weekend.

Our meals were served in a roofed but unwalled area surrounded by dense vegetation. Upon entering, we were instructed to leave our shoes at the entrance steps.

One night our guide, who I think had a thing for snakes, walked into the eating area to show us the snake that he had captured. I just had to ask ‘Where did you find it?” He To my dismay after this presentation, the guide of- answered, “Just outside where the shoes are kept.” fered a night snake tour! Needless to say, no one signed For the rest of the meal, I continuously checked under up. and around the table. After the meal, we retrieved our He continued to inform us that the only form of shoes, but not before flashing our lights inside them.

Our group of ten single - filed back to our huts for electricity was a generator which would be turned off

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the night. I was never the first in line. Each had a flashlight, and each was designated to shine his or her light in a particular direction, up, down, left or right. We had our walking area covered! Once in my hut, my ritual would be to place towels under the door cracks, tuck in my mosquito net tightly under my one – inch- thick mattress, and sleep with a flashlight in one hand. If anything moved, I would immediately flick on my flashlight. Of course it had to happen on the first night. I heard a bug hit the net, so I hit the light. The scene on my mosquito net was straight out of a horror movie: I saw such an array of insects it could make anyone sleepless for the rest of their lives!

possible? He continued to say, “If you get hysterical and run…” (well, that sounds about right…) “the survival rate is cut in half. When you come upon any species of monkeys, do NOT tease them. They tend to be very aggressive when they feel threatened.”

As if this wasn’t enough, he continued to say, “Don’t make direct eye contact with animals; they consider it a challenge.” Heaven forbid, we don’t want that! He continued with, “Don’t run if you encounter a jaguar , they think it’s prey escaping.” I’m thinking, well, you got that right! “Run, and climb a tree if you encounter wild boars.”

Run? Now where have I heard that before?

This was just more than I could compute at one time.

Morning came. I have to admit, the morning was so beautiful, and the birds around our tree hut were spec- “Wait, wait, do what? Run when, climb a what? Do I really tacular, a true paradise. I felt such peace, but mostly re- want to do this ,or do I want to wait here on the jungle outskirts, unarmed and alone for four hours?” Didn’t lief, knowing I had made it through the night. take me long to make a decision.

After a breakfast of tropical fruits, we geared up for We single - filed and cautiously ventured into the junthe jungle tour and headed down the 500 meter hill to our only form of transportation of the day: the same gle. We came upon a colony of howler monkeys. Howler one-motor boat. It was a 30 minute trip through ocean machos are so territorial that when the leader macho waters. As we arrived, our routine began: jump in and feels his colony is threatened, he will warn you to keep wade to the beach. Our guide gathered us together and your distance. Evidently we ticked the fellow off, because once again gave his opening statements: “Watch for he let out the most gut - wrenching howl I have ever heard snakes, they are all poisonous and you are 15 hours from in my life. Running entered my mind ,but I could not rea hospital. If bitten, remain calm.” I was thinking, is that member if I had to run or freeze, so I just screamed.

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All my Costa Rican friends hysterically laughed, setting off chain reactions of howls from other colonies. Between the echoes of human howls and the monkeys, I was freaking out, expecting to turn in slow motion and come face to face with the thing that had been unleashed.

After the screams, howls, dust , and nerves settled, we regrouped. I strategically changed my position to last in the single file. I made it a special point to talk and laugh as much and as loudly as possible until someone upfront shouted, “QUIET, you’re scaring away the animals.”

I shouted, “That’s the whole point!”

except inside the bowl.....big mistake…

As I sat down, a little frog , who had been peacefully swimming in the toilet water, violently leaped upward.

Once again, the air filled with human screams, and in a domino effect, laugher erupted, one by one, from every single hut.

We completed the four - hour walk through the jungle with no other major incident. Before returning to the Even though I enjoyed the experience, which was forboat, we fell on the beach from pure exhaustion and ever etched into my memory, I never returned to this enjoyed a siesta. After we recovered our energy, we re- site again. For me it was, a “been there, done that, don’t turned to the compound. To my horror, another night ever want to do that sort of thing again.” soon fell upon us, and in the darkness of my palm- leaf Tarzan tree hut, the final spark took me straight into a lifetime of paranoia. Armed with only a flashlight, I carefully opened my mosquito net and reluctantly made way to the bathroom. I flashed my light everywhere Cost a Rica 11

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Words to Visitors 5 Introduction 7

Nature’s Greenhouse

Orchids Sobralia, Flower of one Day The Guaria Morada A Jaguar as an Orchid

Bromelias, Heliconias & Vine Flowers

15 13 23 25 26 37

Bromelias 38 Heliconias 41 Vine Flowers ( Jungle Beauties ) 43

Monkey Tail Ferns 47

Hidden Images in Nature

And Monkey ladder Vines 50 53

Jungle Critters 61

Do You See what I See? 54

Jungle Humor 71

And Chitter Chatter 62

Chow Time Sunday Afternoon Picnic

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Baby Iguana and the Monster Macho Jungle Dragon

In Closing 91

rocking the Iguana 94

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Nature’s Greenhouse Orchids & Butterflies

Orchids...

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Nature’s Green House

The orchid, has long symbolized

exquisite beauty, opulence and romance..

The orchid has long symbolized exquisite beauty, opulence and romance. They were the flowers of the rich and famous and the hobby of Kings. It is no wonder the orchid is the most sought-after flower and prized possession of the obsessivecompulsive collector. The word alone is surrounded by an aura of mystery.

History is filled with tales of jungle adventures in search of the orchid.

Eccentric millionaires sent their own explorers to faraway lands in hopes of increasing their valuable private collections, and everyday citizens and scientists risked it all to search for that one rare orchid that would cure a loved one’s disease. All endured hostile, inaccessible terrain, greed, jungle heat, tropical diseases, unfriendly natives, insects, wild animals and sometimes even death.

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Most orchids’ prime habitat is the tropics.

Wherever they grow, you will also find moss, ferns and or bromeliads growing alongside.

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Nature’s Green House

Many are embedded in emerald green moss cascading from century old trees or even thin branches.

They bloom only once a year, or even for a few hours, so if you have experienced the exciting magical moment of spotting a blooming wild orchid in the rain forest, consider yourself fortunate.

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Nature’s Green House

The sight and delicate fragrance along is intriguing.

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Golden Rain

This orchid cascades from the canopy in clusters, and in lengths of five feet or longer. As the common name suggests, the rain forest glimmers with golden flakes of rain.

It’s a sight to behold.

Indigenous people have been known to use the seed pod as a hallucinogen. I personally think the sight of golden rain orchids cascading from the jungles’ canopy itself has a hypnotic effect.

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Sobralia spp.

Flower of One Day

The blooms of this orchid last less than 24 hours, and must be pollinated within that time frame.

What are the chances of you traveling to a rain forest, only to have the oncein- a-lifetime experience of seeing this orchid in bloom? It’s a rare sight to see an orchid in its natural habitat and even more special to see the orchid in full bloom that will only last a

Nature’s Green House

few hours. Not only are you fortunate and blessed, but you have been in the right place at the right time.

If you come across this sight, while visiting our rain forest, treasure the experience, and know that you are one of the few people in the world who has witnessed that particular orchid in bloom.

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Nature’s Green House

The Guaria Morada

National Flower of Cost a Rica

Although this photograph is not part of the rain forest, its’ history is worth sharing.

A century ago, a father and a son, on a mission, traveled 100 miles.

Their means of transportation was by oxcart and a transboard by train to the Atlantic port of Limon. Once in Limon, the young son boarded a ship that carried him to Europe to study medicine.

After saying farewell to his son, whom he would not see until years later, the father passed by the city park where he bought approximately twenty-four palm trees. Amazingly, the palms survived the long trip to San Ramon. After they were planted, every day one of his children had the task of watering and caring for the palms.

Out of the twenty -four palms, approximately thirteen have survived. Most were struck by lightning, while two were accidentally burned by a gardener. As the story was told, the gardener was instructed never

to burn trash close to the palms. He did exactly the opposite and a spark flew into a crevice in a trunk, which quickly ignited the entire palm. By the time the fire truck arrived, the palm was engulfed in flames, turning it into a torch. It crashed to the ground, taking along with it another palm tree. Upon impact, the palm exploded into a thousand pieces. The heart of the palm is edible, so the entire city had free hearts of palm for the taking.

The palms have actually been proclaimed as patrimony of the city of San Ramon, Alajuela.

As you enter the city of San Ramon, Alajuela, on your way to the Arenal volcano, during the month of March, look to your right and up.

At first it seems as if there are only three palms, but that is because they are perfectly aligned, as if they were giant showgirls dressed in their feathered headdresses.

As the years passed, the palms Every year the sight of the purple trapped an array of wind- dispersed orchids framed by the morning sun seeds of bromeliads and orchids. The rays has never failed to amaze and depalms are now approximately 70 me- light me. It’s a rare sight to treasure. ters in height, making it impossible to collect the much sought-after national flower, the Guaria Morada orchid which adhered to the palms.

We the spectators have no other option but to admire, during the month of March, this majestic rare sight, the Guaria Morada in its natural state.

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Perfect for the jungles,

a jaguar as an orchid!

Odd as it may sound, this photo was in the Jeep! That particular day, I taken the day I was tracked by a small broke the rules, including leaving my common sense in the front seat jaguar- like creature. of the Jeep. In pursuit of THE photo, My husband’s rules for photo shoot- I wandered far away from the men. ing in the jungles are, never stray away Suddenly, I heard that familiar call from the group or guide, never get in the distance. Knowing full well comfortable with my surroundings, what that meant, I stopped in my and do not leave my common sense tracks, around, and headed back. In 26

Nature’s Green House

so doing, I heard huge wings flapping almost directly overhead. Knowing it was not my angels, I looked up and saw the most spectacular bird flying away! Oh well, another photo opportunity lost, but I had to heed to my master’s call and return. I complied and again was told to stay with the group.

As boring as that was, I followed the rules and the men as they talked and walked up treacherous hills in the hot sun. I became exhausted and began to huff and puff. By the way, you do NOT want to do that in the jungle-- it’s like ringing the dinner bell!

I eventually lagged behind and wandered off the trail again as I spotted a group of orchids. One guy jokingly shouted as he continued Cost a Rica 27

denly I heard that familiar voice again-- but this time it was more of a scream. I stopped, turned, and to my horror saw the small jaguar- like creature almost directly behind me in pursuit. As the men ran toward me and hollered, my husband accelerated the Jeep. The creature leaped to the other side of the trail and was out of sight within seconds, never making a sound! I GOT INTO THE JEEP just as fast as the creature had leaped!

For the rest of the trip I LISTENED to my husbands’ warnings: stay put, do this, do that… Yes sir, whatever you say sir!

walking that he had seen a dinosaur in the area where I was standing.

Although I knew that was not true, something made me nervous, so I decided it best to change my course in their direction-- but not before taking the orchid photo. I did not come this far and go through all this to lose another photo shot.

As we approached the Jeep that 28

I am convinced I had a full staff of Gods angels around me that day. was stuck in the mud, I told my Maybe what I had heard earlier husband I would walk back to the WERE angel’s wings! entrance while they worked with the Jeep. He insisted I get in the Jeep, and I insisted, as I walked away, that it was only a few feet to the entrance.

Besides, I was safe and invincible with my high - top boots, snake guards, and a 58- inch machete. I continued to tread through the mud when sud-

...And Butterflies

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Nature’s Green House

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Nature’s Green House

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Nature’s Green House

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Nature’s Greenhouse Bromelias, Heliconias & Vine Flowers

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Bromelias...

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Nature’s Green House

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...Heliconias

Nature’s Green House

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& Vine Flowers.

Nature’s Green House (jungle Beauties)

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Nature’s Green House (jungle Beauties)

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Monkey Tail Ferns and Monkey Ladder Vines

Monkey Tail Ferns...

The giant Monkey Tail Fern is not your ordinary fern. They are more like the size of a small shade tree.

The following photos of the Monkey Tail Fern were taken over a period of several months during their growing season.

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Monkey Tail Ferns and Monkey Ladder Vines

The reason for their name is obvious.

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and Monkey Ladder Vines

The Monkey Ladder Vines are numerous in the canopy and grow to huge lengths, widths and heights, providing many optional “highways� for the monkeys.

This vine is medicinal.

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Monkey Tail Ferns and Monkey Ladder Vines

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Hidden Images in Nature Do you see what I see?

Do you see what I see?

“BALD ORCHID EAGLE”

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Hidden Images in Nature

‘NESTLED BIRD”

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“JAGUAR”

“SEA HORSE”

“EMERGING CHILD” 56

Hidden Images in Nature

SMILING GHOST OF THE JUNGLE

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“ORCHID ANGEL”

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Hidden Images in Nature

“LOVE ANTS�

Believe it or not, this photo was taken in my garden. It is an ant colony in the shape of a heart.

That day I had a particularly first - class negative day: maybe it was a sign from above of someone sending their love.

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Jungle Critters And Chitter Chatter

Sunbathing high in a Guarumo Tree

Weeks later, I returned to the same spot in hopes of getting a better shot of the iguana, but he was nowhere in sight. I asked the administrator if he had seen the iguana, and the workers looked at each other in a weird sort of way. I said “Please don’t tell me they ate him!” They did not say a word, but their eyes said it all!

Such is life in the Tropics

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Jungle Chitter Chatter

Morning Sunbath

Afternoon gourmet snack

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Vultures

On my way to a river, I spotted the silhouette of two vultures perched in a tree. I wondered if hey had a nest nearby, so a few months later I returned.

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Jungle Chitter Chatter

It was confirmed; I saw their proud new addition to the rainforest.

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Jungle Chitter Chatter

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Rain

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While a few creatures bath in the rain ,

Jungle Chitter Chatter

others seek shelter

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Jungle Humor

Before

visiting the rainforest.

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Jungle Humor

After

visiting the rainforest.

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¡Don’t push your luck!

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Jungle Humor

“I’ll scratch your back, if you’ll scratch mine.”

You did

what?

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Chow Time

The Leaf Cutter

These ants can strip a bush or plant, one bite at a time, in a matter of days.

They do not eat the leaves but carry them back to their colony where it is stored to grow fungus which is their food source. If a piece is too big for one ant to carry, several pitch in to help.

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Chow Time

Papaya Tree

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Sunday Afternoon Picnic In The Rainforest

Sunday afternoon picnic

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in the Rainforest

Sunday Afternoon Picnic

This was our view while enjoying a picnic lunch for two under a tree in the rain forest. I spotted a white falcon and admired her throughout the lunch until she decided she’d had enough of this paparazzi and lifted her wings in flight and flew away to a more private area as if to say “I want to get away.” I could only think, “Well, join the club.” Later that day, on our way to the river, I found her again perched on a branch of orchids and bromeliads.

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Not far from us, we also saw a toucan, as well as a sloth, in a guarumo tree, which is sort of like the local ‘deli’ for the jungle creatures.

They later joined together as if in an after -lunch conversation.

A group of horlopendulas landed in a tree nearby. This particular bird is a weaver. Their long teardropshaped nests hang in colonies on the branches of very tall trees. Their mating call is very strange and loud.

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Sunday Afternoon Picnic

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As we sat on a huge rock under a tree filled with yellow blooms , admiring the view and enjoying our lunch, it occurred to me that it seemed as if all of us were either searching for or in the process of eating our lunches.

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Sunday Afternoon Picnic

The ground area surrounding us was partly sprinkled with small yellow petals. As my roaming eyes searched in the name of safety, I spotted a frog around the base of the tree. At first, because of its excellent camouflage, I thought the yellow spot on its right side was a petal until the “petal� leaped into the air!

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Sunday afternoon picnic

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At the end of our Sunday afternoon in the rainforest, we headed home but not before stopping to admire and absorb the magnificent sight of the volcano.

Sunday Afternoon Picnic

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In Closing Cost a Rica 91

In Closing My Mom’s favorite song was about a tropical yellow bird in a banana tree.

Ironically, while I was writing the conclusion of this book, a yellow bird visited the birdbath outside my office window.

Of course, I was reminded of Mom, so instead of a conclusion I will close with this photo.

The photo was taken through a window pane. The image is not clear, but the message came through crystal clear...

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I knew she was with me.

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Baby Iguana AND

THE MONSTER MACHO JUNGLE DRAGON

“Rocking” THE IGUANA

This baby iguana was so well- behaved that I continued to snap away until it turned on me and gave me THE LOOK . Baby Iguana or not, I heeded and backed-off, only to look up and see this monster of a macho iguana eyeing me. I was in the mist of “iguana- land.” By now, the sun was setting and quality photo shooting was out of the question , so my guide, wanting to be helpful, tried to position the iguana for a better shot by climbing the tree and rocking the branches. This only alarmed and agitated the iguana to the point that it stood up, turned around, and paused as if contemplating an escape plan. I have learned the hard way to read an animal’s body language, so this was a sure sign for me to back-off. I was preparing to execute MY escape route, but my guide had other plans. He shouted, “Get your camera ready!” I screamed

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rocking the iguana

to the guide NOT to rock the iguana because it would either leap on me or close to me and I wanted no part of either situation.

The guide continued rocking. He either could not hear me, was just a little overzealous or just wanted to get a good laugh.

While all the shouting and commotion was in full force, the iguana decided he had enough and to my horror, he suddenly took a death defying leap of faith into  the air.

He landed within a few feet of me. There is no photo of him leaping , because I was too busy getting out of his way. When he landed unharmed, he franticly wobbled away into the underbrush. I did not take pursue, nor speak a word; instead I headed back alone, leaving my guide up the tree.

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®G l e n d a A r l e n e M o r r i s D e O r l i c h

O rders & I nquires info@motropics.com www.motropics.com “All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or other wise be copied for public or private use without prior written permission of the author.”

Design & Ilustrations by Gisela Sánchez Tinoco www.atg.gs / www.giselasanchez.com sancheztinoco@gmail.com

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