Parque Nacional Tortuguero and More Data Collection!!!!

Excursion Day!!!!!

We are going to El Parque Nacional Tortuguero folks!!! We got to take two different boat rides to get to this National Park and search for some wildlife. We took a boat tour where the guide spotted wildlife so easily it was crazy. I saw so many monkeys and even a Basilisk lizard, otherwise known as a Jesus lizard, because it runs on water! We also saw a lot of iguanas and Caimans which looked so cute! The only downside to the morning boat rides was that I had taken some motion sickness medicine that morning and was so soothed by the ride I was nodding off so hard I thought I might fall off. Once we finished our tour and arrived at the island where we would have lunch and some time for souvenir shopping, I almost got a cat nap in. We first stopped by the beach though because it is a black sand beach (I know it doesn't quite look like it in the pic). The day was absolutely sweltering so while I was proud of my souvenir purchases while there the chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone had to be my absolute favorite. I also try to get a bracelet with the country name whenever I travel and secured some Costa Rica bracelets!!

It's safe to say after a long day of sightseeing and shopping for some souvenirs we were all exhausted. We left the trail cameras up and running while we were gone all day though, so I went to bed very excited to check the trail cameras the next day and see if any new mammals popped up without us disturbing the trail!

Switching out the SD cards the next day went off great except for one small hiccup. So. One of our cameras in the large forest area is across a creek that another group member and I will wade across to change the cards. The water is just above knee height and is clear to see through with little current. It was one of the most refreshing parts of the day since we are all hot and sweaty but get to cool down in the water. As we're looking in the water before we get in, we see some weird-looking rocks. We quickly realize that it is an iguana just chilling at the bottom of the creek barely moving. That iguana was too close for me and facing right where we would be walking so, I respectfully abstained from walking across the creek that day. I never knew that iguanas' toes would look so long and freak me out so much until that moment. We did get a video of some ocelots on one of our cameras though so totally worth it! Another day of long rainforest walks, a good hammock nap, reading some of my book. and playing cards with my friends. So, all in all, an amazing day to have. DAY SIX AND SEVEN DONE!!!!

One post left!!!!!!!!!