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Palo Verde (2/23-24/2008)
Day 11(2/23):
In Palo Verde we stayed at a field station where we had to use mosquito nets to sleep at night in a 6 person rooms.It was much cooler in Palo Verde and there was always a gentle breeze at night as we would sit in these wooden rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the marshy area we were in.
Palo Verde was weird because it was like a big bunch of cattle farms with a random marsh where all these beautiful birds would come.On this morning we spent time bird watching which made me so happy.We saw multiple types of egrets and herons, storks, jacanas, gallinules, whistling ducks, ibis', and ROSEATE SPOONBILLS.I actually dredged through mud just to get close to one.So worth it.Their pink wings are to die for and their cute little spoonbills.Awww.
In the afternoon we took a hike to get a view of the valley (beautiful view).It was a steep hike up limestome and we saw some pekeries (sp?) and a beautiful motmot.After returning from the hike we were so hot, sticky, and tired which was welcomed when Alan said we would be going to a watering hole.Yay!And guess what? We ended up piling into a cattle truck for a 1 hour drive to the watering hole.It was awesome.We mooed, got bumped around on the roads, and got a bit dusty (actually really dusty). It was interesting to see all the rice paddy farms in such a dry area.The bright green against all the dry foliage was beautiful.On the way back Pablo had an ipod and speakers of which we used to have a dance party in the back of the cattle truck.As it got dark there were killer swarms of mosquitoes.
After dinner that night I went stargazing down by the dock where you view the birds.It was such a clear night that we were able to point out a lot of constellations. On the way back, we heard a noise in the trees and we looked up.We saw eyes and thought, "oh cute, monkeys."Unfortunately it ended up being a group of four raccoons who were running down the tree after us, so we literally booked it, only to find out they weren't chasing us at all.
Day 12 (2/24):
Today we did another field experiment looking at foraging behavior in the Northern Jacana.I was excited to watch the birds, but one person in my group had a horrible attitude about it.I asked her to change her attitude, but she wouldn't have it.I think she isn't used to not getting her way and maybe the adjustment here is hard.She is just plain crabby and mean.Anyway, so we watched the Northern Jacana all day and compiled our data and madea poster.
By the way, the food at Palo Verde was pretty good.They have a dining hall where we would eat and they made a lot of the same things we had been eating in other places (rice, beans, plantanes, etc.).The juice was pure sugar though, eek.Also, in the bathrooms at Palo Verde it wasn't uncommon to shower with a gladiator frog.
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