A World of Life in One Country/Costa Rica

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Imagine a land of bio diversity, a relatively small country that has an enormous variety of wildlife due to its neotropical climate and varying habitats. This peaceful, ecologically responsible land is home to more than 500,000 species, respresenting nearly 4% of the total species estimated worldwide. It is one of the 20 countries with the highest biodiversity in  the world. Of these species, a little more than 300,000 are insects.

The fact that, along with Panama Costa Rica formed a bridge between North and South America around three to five million years ago allowed the very different flora and fauna of the two continents to mix.

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From the magic of washed up trees on a beach in Domincal, Nature’s gallery of artistic perfection-random and beautiful-to the most minute eco system warriors that might go unnoticed if not for my viewing life through the zoom lens of a Nikon camera-my constant companion when we lived there.

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Flag Footed bug loves feeding on passion flower vines
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Leaf cutter ants, one of 47 species of leaf-chewing ants and can carry 20 times their body weight.

We discovered hundreds of leaf cutter ants right next to the beach, which extends from the jungle that borders the volcanic mountains of Costa Rica. Just look at the bio diversity in that last sentence!

 

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From the rich colors of dozens of birds we saw every day..

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To my friends, the iguanas and lizards that graced our doorstep with their presence daily, waiting for a few bread crumbs and a chance to be immortalized on digital memory!

Every day was filled with such diversity, often without leaving my front porch. I loved hanging out with the fun, freaky, fantastic family of nature in the land of Pura Vida.

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Nature is constant. So must we nurture it, accept its presence and necessity in our lives and embrace all that the world has to offer.  We were blessed to have known even a brief adventure in this paradise.

Stay tuned….

Bubbles and Bees

I hope everyone has had a peaceful and love filled holiday. Ours certainly has been.

The world outside is a buzzin’ with life now that the temps are rising and the rain has been falling; but this weekend was beautiful and mild, making for long outdoor intervals. For us, it is always the highlight of Spring to plan and plant, and this year we are waiting and watching to see what shows up in the new place before we add or take anything away.

The Carpenter bees have been asserting their territorial tendencies lately, forcing a showdown at times; but they fight with each other more than us, so I am hoping soon they settle down a bit. They love to show off and virtually taunt me to take photos. The lens’s reflective nature will scare them also so it is tricky getting good shots. Still, there are those shining moments…

 

So annoying…..yet so beautiful!

So I just blew some bubbles and let them have their way in the blossoms!

 

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This image brought to mind a favorite song from my..ahem…school days. I hope you will click on the link and enjoy it while viewing the remaining images of the friends and flowers in my world today.

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Big Red carefully makes his way to the feeder.
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The Jonquil tree finally blooming
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This one tried too early. 😕
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Spent some time working on jewelry
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These are my new favorite pieces.
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The ‘wings’ are actually tree seedlings
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These seedling pods are known as Samara and are from the Maple tree
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They hang in clusters before twirling to the ground like tiny whirlybirds!

I know not all of these magnificent seedlings will become new trees so am working on ideas to allow them to continue on in special ways. The jewelry is just one! Stay tuned.

When hubby researched the samara seedling he discovered that observation of its movement has inspired the design of a drop delivery system for emergency supplies and someone is working on a single blade helicopter design based on its movement!

Amazing nature!

Someone even managed to capture the seedling falling in a stop motion setting. What a beautiful job they did too!

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Image by Patterson Clark.

 

Dare We Hope? #Photography

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The path to Spring is strewn with Camellia blossoms….

 

While Japanese dancers sway to the music of the wind through the branches overhead…..

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And her Grace sings the Holy Mass while nibbling Communion seeds.

 

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The sun saunters lazily into the evening, winking slyly at the shadows…

 

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where scarlet ladies flaunt their charms and weave magic spells.

 

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Sweet magnolia begins her sultry dance into Summer,

and I hold my breath, lest the bitter Ice Queen become jealous

and rise from her slumber for an encore performance, snuffing out

the freshness of my heart’s delight at such a sight-

my garden’s path strewn with Springtime kisses.

Cheryl KP

Copyright 2018