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Orchids in Costa Rica
- Thread starter skirincich
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Paphluvr
Well-Known Member
Both very nice. I enjoy seeing orchids in situ.
Near Mt. Arenal?
If you would allow me I also could show here few photos of orchid in situ (not artificial mounted in a garden) which I took in autumn 2019 when I also visited Costa Rica.
Here we go.
I traveled through Costa Rica in November/December 2019. My intension was to see the countryside, landscape, volcanos and orchids. I started in San Jose from where public buses go almost up to the summits of the two volcanos Poas (2.708 m) and Irazu (3.432 m). Then went on to st. Elena/Monteverde where I saw the first orchids in the Orchid Garden of St. Elena. Next day I saw the first orchids in situ in the 'Reserva del Bosque Nuboso Monteverde'. This is situated between 1.560 and 1.735 m above sea level (according to my GPS).
Pleurothallis spec.
Stelis spec.
I traveled through Costa Rica in November/December 2019. My intension was to see the countryside, landscape, volcanos and orchids. I started in San Jose from where public buses go almost up to the summits of the two volcanos Poas (2.708 m) and Irazu (3.432 m). Then went on to st. Elena/Monteverde where I saw the first orchids in the Orchid Garden of St. Elena. Next day I saw the first orchids in situ in the 'Reserva del Bosque Nuboso Monteverde'. This is situated between 1.560 and 1.735 m above sea level (according to my GPS).
Pleurothallis spec.
Stelis spec.
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Next day I walked from St. Elena to the 'Selvatura Park' with its hanging bridges in the tree tops. The distance is about 6.5 km and I saw some orchids at the edge of the road which I hadn't seen if I had taken the shuttle bus. My way started at 1.340 m asl and the park is situated between 1.600 and 1.650 m.
An unknown, not flowering orchid in trees at the edge of the road.
Few trees on.......Epidendrum centropetalum in flower.
and in the roadside ditch grew the famos Epidendrum radicans.
If you like it.....this can be continued.
An unknown, not flowering orchid in trees at the edge of the road.
Few trees on.......Epidendrum centropetalum in flower.
and in the roadside ditch grew the famos Epidendrum radicans.
If you like it.....this can be continued.
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Brings back fond memories, orchids everywhere. On a side note, the zip lines above El Establo in Santa Elena are world class, with the last part of the circuit going from the edge of the mountain to a TV tower about 0.25 km away. Mike
Thanks Guru for your pics, you light back memories up!
Been two times in Costa Rica ('91/'95), it's a wonderful place for any green lover and more so for an orchid extimator.
Did you see the elusive "Quetzal" ( Maya sacred bird) and the multitude of hummingbirds in Monteverde?
Not so easy to score orchids in the lowerpart of the forest as they prefer to stay high up on the trees, at ground level Is so shaded that only few species are present.
Lorenzo, nice that I could bring back some memories to you.
No, unfortunately I didn't see the 'Quetzal' but some hummingbirds. I even pampered up a hummingbird in my hand for 10 minutes or so after she flew against the window pane of my accomodation. She survived without any bodily injury.
That's true. You will find orchids in the rain forest only in the tree tops not in the lower parts of the forest. Solitaire trees are populated by orchids also at the lower parts or at the trunks.
Please more in situ photos if anyone has them!
thanks,
David
thanks,
David
David, I have some more and will post them in few hours time.
i love insitu photos, too
David and Stephen, here thea are.
The next photos are from the 'Selvatura Park' with its hanging bridges/rope bridges in the tree tops. Most of the orchids were too far away to determinate them.
Epidendrum spec. ? in the middle of the photo
Oncidium spec.
Epidendrum spec.
closer
Tom-DE
Well-Known Member
Anyone who loves nature should visit CR at least once in their lifetime, and try to check in the eco-lodges...I have been there four times and I still want to visit it in the near future. Thank you all for the photos and stories.
Besides some of the more recognizable orchids, there are tons of Pleurothallids in CR at a mid-high elevation...tons of colorful birds as well. I have seen the elusive quetzal bird a few times but I have not had a hummingbird land on my hands like GuRu...
Besides some of the more recognizable orchids, there are tons of Pleurothallids in CR at a mid-high elevation...tons of colorful birds as well. I have seen the elusive quetzal bird a few times but I have not had a hummingbird land on my hands like GuRu...
Tom-DE
Well-Known Member
GuRu, the white one is Epi. sp and the yellow one is Onc. species. I used to know the names but I can't remember the names now. If you do a little search on the internet, you probably can identify them.
My next destination was the small town 'La Fortuna' situated at the aest base of the volcano 'Arenal' 250 m a.s.l.
First day I walked about 6km to the waterfall 'Caterata La Fortuna' which is situated at about 540 m a.s.l.. Aside the road I saw some orchids in the gardens and few in situ.
Catasetum spec. on a tree trunk
Dimerandra emarginata
Spathoglottis plicata at the side of the road
First day I walked about 6km to the waterfall 'Caterata La Fortuna' which is situated at about 540 m a.s.l.. Aside the road I saw some orchids in the gardens and few in situ.
Catasetum spec. on a tree trunk
Dimerandra emarginata
Spathoglottis plicata at the side of the road
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Tom if you read my post closely you will find Epidendrum spec. and Oncidium spec.. I couldn't determine the species because a) I'm not expert enough with these generas and b) they were out of reach to do this.
This was a great moment but to be honest.....if you don't see the hummingbird in the palm of your hand you may think there's nothing. They weight almost nothing...just few gram.
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Next day I went by public bus to the 'Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal' which is situated abou 650 m a.s.l.. All trail which lead higher up were closed for tourists because of the instability of the volcano. I saw the last orchids in situ within this National Park.
Sobralia spec. at the edge of the trail
also Catasetum spec.
and another Spathoglottis plicada
In May 2010 there was an eruption at the west flank of the volcano and by now the lava field is populated by new plant and also orchids, mainly Sobralias.
This is the lava ground they grow in.
Sobralia spec. in pink
and Sobralia spec in white
Sobralia spec. at the edge of the trail
also Catasetum spec.
and another Spathoglottis plicada
In May 2010 there was an eruption at the west flank of the volcano and by now the lava field is populated by new plant and also orchids, mainly Sobralias.
This is the lava ground they grow in.
Sobralia spec. in pink
and Sobralia spec in white
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The other destinations of my journey, Liberia, Tamarindo, Puntarenas and Quepos were more or less orchid free but nevertheless very interesting ones.
Beautiful pics Guru, thanks!
Those Sobralias are outstanding.
In Quepos and Manuel Antonio I saw Aspasia principissa and several colonies of Brassavola nodosa growing as lythophite straight on the beach.
