Saturday, July 4, 2009

Welcome new volunteers for phase 17!

This week the Estacion Biologica Caño Palma saw the arrival of 15 eager, new volunteers. Following a grand tour of base and a chance to unpack, the novice crew sat down to learn their EAP’s from the spectacular scholars, Shotwell and Durose. After, they obtained a wealth of information on our risk assessment, health and safety plans, they gorged upon a traditional Costa Rican dinner cooked by our very own Stephanny Arroyo Arce.

Saturday morning kicked off with the resident mantled howler monkey alarm clock followed by a breakfast of hot, steaming oats covered in Aunt Jemima’s maple syrup. They were fuelled and ready to set off on a full day of intensive training led by the man himself, David A. Jones.

The next three days were filled with presentations on turtles, turtles, turtles, and a little bit of weather and incidentals training. The group buckled down on studying, knowing that passing meant seeing turtles and playing CSI during excavations.

Following a stressful Monday morning, the group had the chance to relax and learn how to steer a canoe without ending up in the bushes, scaring off a few flycatchers in the process.

Wednesday morning saw the volunteers off onto Iriria accompanied by Dave and Sarah S., to spot a few of the 30 bird study species. Someone must have been wearing their lucky underwear, as the group had the chance to see the ever radiant, purple gallinule and the rare but endearing, juvenile rufescent tiger-heron.


Thursday brought the volunteers to San Francisco to climb El Cerro, the highest point in the area. Unfortunately, due to torrential rain, only half of the volunteers had the chance to climb to the lookout.

Everyone is looking forward to spotting some more of our fine, feathered friends and working with plenty of green sea turtles in the weeks ahead!

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2 comments:

Unknown said...

I have prided myself with the knowlege that my fantastic photos and a detailed written account in my journal which I accumulated during my time in Canyo Palma last year has allowed me to keep the amazing experiences alive. However I now have to admit that after reading a new intakes account, I desperately miss the noises smells and escapades of all the wild life including monkeys snakes, spiders, huge variety of birds, lizards, caymen,crocs, the odd jaguar, and of course the turtles and many more. All of which no matter how good you are at photography and literacy doesnt capture the life and activity the jungle communicated. Watch out, I might have to return for a further fix.

Sweatsearch said...

:) - So good to see my Caroline in Costa Rica - thanks for the pics. I know she's loving it there!
Regards,
Laura Reed