Costa Rica Wake-up Call

Howler Monkey searching for food in the top of a tree in the rainforest of Costa Rica. The howler is hanging by one arm, one leg and its 5ft prehensile tail. Howler Monkeys are known for their deep barking calls which can be heard from up to 2 miles. PHOTO;//AN Grove — Howler Monkey searching for food in tree-tops of the Costa Rica rainforest. It is hanging by one arm, one leg and its 5ft long prehensile tail. These primates are known for their deep barking calls which can be heard 2 miles away.

Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

I awoke, startled by barking at the Tocu Tent Camp in Costa Rica’s Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. I could hear a strange husky barking and it was getting closer. I opened my eyes, dawn light filtered through the tent flap.

More barking. I peered through the flap where orange and yellow tropical flowers were bright points in the mist. More barking. Then I realized. A pack of howler monkeys were coming closer. Swinging through the tree canopy, their long prehensile tails enabling great leaps.

How many were in the pack? Fierce males? Mothers with babies clinging tightly onto black fur, wide eyed at the early morning adventure?

Tocu Tent Camp, in Cano Negro wetlands, Costa Rica. Tents surround a Bio Wetland pool which uses no chlorine or aggressive chemicals. The natural swimming pool has aquatic plants in addition to natural three part systems of water purification. PHOTO:// ANGROVE — Tocu Tent Camp’s centerpiece is a Bio Wetland swimming pool which uses no chlorine or aggressive chemicals. The pool uses aquatic plants in addition to natural three part systems of water purification

Soaring Kapok Trees Dense Canopy

Yesterday I glimpsed howler monkeys in the distance, in the dense canopy of kapok trees. Hanging upside down as they reached for tender green buds. They were shy, with bright eyes under bushy eyebrows. I tried to photograph them as they paused suspended by their impossibly long black tails. But they were off again. The group moving rhythmically in unison through the branches. Then they were gone.

Howler monkey reaching for leaves to eat in a tree top. The howler monkey uses its long prehensile tail to balance while eating on a branch on the top of a tree.. Taken at Cano Negro wetlands in Costa Rica.
PHOTO:// ANGROVE — Out on a limb. Howler monkey uses its tail to hold onto branches while eating

Howler Monkey hanging to a branch on a tree top while feeding on leaves. It's long prehensile tail helps it to hang upside down. Cano Negro wildlife refuge, Costa Rica.
PHOTO//: ANGROVE — Out on a limb. Howler monkey uses its tail to hold onto branches while eating

Bath-time for Howler Monkeys?

Barking again. At the refuge there are outdoor bathtubs. Someone thought they had seen a monkey checking out the plumbing. How close would they come? I wondered. Would they be tempted by my tub? Then the barking suddenly stopped. Were they getting closer? Would they swing into the trees surrounding us?

Outside bathroom at Tocu Tent Camp, Cano Negro wildlife refuge. The luxury tents also have inside bathrooms. — Each unit at Tocu Tent Camp has an additional forest bathroom

Outside Dining room with tables set at Tocu Tent Camp, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica. The area is surrounded by jungle. A roof protects against rain. PHOTO; ANGrove — Each unit at Tocu Tent Camp has an additional forest bathroom

Sunrise

Dawn was brightening the sky. Early clouds caught the rising sun painting an early glow. The pool reflected apricot. Raindrops on the shiny tropical plants twinkled. But where were the monkeys? There was a dawn chorus of birdsong – some frogs joined in but there were no more guttural husky sounds.

Had the howlers gone? Would I see them today while exploring the jungle in canoes? Would they stop long enough for me to get photographs? Or not?

Was their barking just a tease. An early wake up call? Did I dream the reveille? I pondered, but there was no more barking.

Yellow Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly seen in Costa Rica
PHOTO:// ANGROVE — Cloudless Sulphur

Brown and red Banded Peacock butterfly photographed in Costa Rica.
PHOTO; ANGrove — Cloudless Sulphur

Where in the World?

The Cano Negro Reserve is one of the world’s most important wetlands with a prolific bird and butterfly population. It is home to the Maleku people, Costa Rica’s smallest remaining indigenous tribe. My stay at Tocu Tent Camp was organized by Lindblad Travel

Toucanet bird, Costa Rica. Here its beak is wide open exposing the tounge. It appears to be yawning.
PHOTO:// ANGROVE — Yawning Toucanet near Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

Soaring Kapok Trees Dense Canopy

Bath-time for Howler Monkeys?

Sunrise

Where in the World?

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