November 2021

cloudbridgereserve
The Blue-diademed motmot (Momotus lessonii) is beautiful and fairly common. Photo credit: Casey McConnell

The rainy season is coming to an end, and the Holidays are near.  November has been a great month at the Reserve, with a lovely team of Volunteers and Researchers.  One of the exciting activities that we are engaging in before the end of 2021 is a Fundraiser Campaign, to help Cloudbridge build a Research Lab.  Please visit the website and support our efforts!

In this aerial photo of our infrastructure at the entrance of Cloudbridge, we can see where the research lab will be located (upper right hand corner, in red). Photo credit: Brunca360.
Oscar Valverde poses with some of our German volunteers after a good morning’s work. Photo credit: Friedrich Frank.
Here, Oscar gives ventilations to a mannequin while Rio pumps the chest, in a CPR simulation. Photo credit: Francisco Calvo.

Most of our staff members at Cloudbridge Nature Reserve were able to participate in a Cardio-Pulmonary Reanimation course this month, as part of our ongoing safety and risk mitigation plans for the reserve.

Mayi and Valeria work as a team to keep blood circulating and hopefully allow the person to breathe again. Photo credit: Francisco Calvo.

We are happy to have Tom Gode back on the reserve. He has been spearheading some bromeliad-rescuing efforts and other fun projects around the reserve.

Annika shows of some of the bromeliads she has “rescued” and will be placing in a secure location to continue growing. Photo credit: Evie Dukes.
Program participants enjoy the beauty of the cloud forest. Photo credit: Anika
This picture shows the junction where the Urán River joins the Chirripó Pacífico River. Photo credit: Ariel Valverde

Birds at Cloudbridge

With the change of season in the Northern hemisphere, we are starting to see many migratory species who overwinter in Central America. This month has been phenomenal for birdwatching at Cloudbridge. Here is a small selection:

The magenta-throated woodstar (Philodice bryantae) is a magnificently-colored, beautiful hummingbird. Photo credit: Rio Dante Barrantes.
It is a treat to see this juvenile Ornate Hawk Eagle. Photo credit: Friedrich Frank.
Though foliage blocks a complete view of this Trogon, we can still appreciate it’s beautiful bright-red plumage. Photo credit: Casey McConnell
The Emerald Toucanet. Photo credit: Casey McConnell

A night tour

Photo credit: Anthony Garita

Exploring the reserve at night is a wonderful opportunity to see another side of the Cloud Forest. Certain animals are much easier to see at night than during the day, especially amphibians.

The emerald glass frog sometimes has dark spots, depending on the individual. Photo credit: Anthony Garita
Botriechis Lateralis, the side-striped palm pit-viper, can be seen occassionally at night. Photo credit: Maddy Peterson
Photo credit: Anthony Garita
Photo credit: Anthony Garita

Pics from around the reserve

Our bamboo bridge crosses the Chirripó River at the site where the covered bridge used to be. Photo credit: Casey McConnell
These last two images of a sloth were taken at Finca SDR in Rivas, not at the reserve. But we thought we’d share them anyway because they are such awesome animals!
The beauty of joining a covid “bubble”, as specified in our Covid-19 safety policies, is that participants are able to share meals and spend time together.
Here two of our program participants say goodbye. This sort of camaraderie and long-lasting friendships are the result of living a wonderful adventure together : ) Photo credit: Maddy Peterson.

Suggested Reading

  • Earlier this month, leaders from countries around the world met in Glasgow for a conference of the parties on the important topic of climate change. Here is an abbreviated recap of the this major event.
  • As shown in this conference, reaching consensus is rarely easy among multiple stakeholders, especially given the complexity of climate / environmental issues. An example of conflicting perspectives and struggling to find the way forward is described in this story about conflicting opinions regarding how best to protect vulnerable forests in California.
  • Fiona Watson, advocacy director of Survival International, has been defending indigenous peoples’ lives and land for over 35 years. In this interview, she explains why the climate crisis is also a crisis of human diversity.
  • And to close this blog, I would like to invite you to consider the environmental impact of your gift-giving this holiday season. As Annalese Griffin points out in this article: this is not about becoming a grinch or cancelling Christmas, but rather questioning our consumer mind-set. And might we also suggest, that a donation to Cloudbridge in the name of your loved ones will make a great gift!

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