Hummingbirds and zip lines

Today we are still in Monteverde.  We had a morning hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.  Our guide showed us the hummingbirds first.  There were many different species ranging from some the size of your thumb to some 6 inches long.  The colors were spectacular --blues, greens,whites, orange, red, pink and all with an iridescent glow.  There wings made a droning sound as they zipped past you to get to the feeders.  It is mating season so some of the males were quite aggressive and chased the others away.

Continuing the bird theme, we saw the quetzal.  A very beautiful teal bird with red and white breast and long colorful tail feathers.  Costa Rica is supposed to be one of the few places you can see them.  They were one of the species that has been impacted by climate change.  Our guide explained that the clouds and mists of Monteverde have gradually moved higher and higher up the mountain since the 1960s.  The change in cloud patterns impacted the flowering and pollination of the avocado trees, the primary food of quetzals.  So less food means less quetzals.  The climate shift also changed the migration patterns of the blue jays who eat the quetzal  eggs.  Climate changes and the birds lose.

We went back to the hotel for lunch and to get ready for the zip line s at Selvatura Park.  Some of the group had decided they did not want to take the plunge, while others were excited.  A few hoped to be able to see the first line before making a decision, however that was not possible.  In the end 21 brave souls walked through the door for the canopy tour.  We signed a waiver and then got fitted for helmets and harnesses.  Thick leather gloves with additional padding on the palms were part of the gear.  They took us by vans to the top of the mountain for a short safety demonstration.  We learned about the proper positioning, safety rules and breaking.  Then we climbed the first tower.  A few decided not to go when they looked over the edge, but 20 went ahead with it.  We did 13 different lines high above the trees.  Some were so high above the forest canopy.  We did the longest line last.  It was 1 kilometer long and very high.  We went in tandem and traveled at about  45 miles per hour.  So high, so fast and with great views.  We all felt a rush of adreneline and a sense of accomplishment.

The last piece was the Tarzan swing.  Tarzan wanna-bes climbed to the top of a high platform and then jumped strIght off.  The pendulum effect came into play and the students swung baack and forth until the park spotters could stop them.  Screaming, swearing and prayers were heard as the group completed this task.

Back on the bus to compare notes on who was bravest and back to the hotel for dinner and sleep.