Before we left for our adventure in Costa Rica we talked about a famous bird found in Costa Rica, the Quetzal. We discussed about how the bird is at risk due to climate change. Other species - such as the keel-billed toucan - are moving up the mountain and encroaching on its cloud forest habitat. We also talked about how we may not get to see this amazing bird because they aren't always out and visible; they aren't the easiest birds to spot, despite their extraordinary colorings.
When we first started walking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest we were getting hit with water drops the entire time. I would have never guessed that it wasn't actually rain but instead it was just saturation falling from the trees! While on our walk through the cloud forest we saw a lot of different wildlife and plants from creaky-door birds and millipedes to avocadoes and strangler trees. After about a half hour of walking through the forest we saw our first Quetzal! It was high up in the trees and we could hear its call very distinctly. As we kept walking, we saw a set of two more and not too long after we saw almost ten of them within view! It was incredible. These birds were simply stunning and the colors on them are astounding. I was definitely pleasantly surprised to see so many of these birds during our walk but I'm glad that we did. After our walk through the cloud forest was over I sat back and reflected at just how important it is that everyone realize that things need to be done to maintain the wildlife that we have all over the world. The Quetzal is just one example, but if some things are not considered, then these pictures may be the only things we will have to remember this extravagant bird by.
Lee Greely
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