Friday, June 17, 2011

My first blog - an introduction

   I finally have gotten around to share my experiences as a naturalist here in Costa Rica. I formerly lived in Hawaii for about 16 years and, among other things, worked as a marine biologist for the State Government. I moved to Costa Rica in 1991, but later went to the Marshall Islands with my wife and daughter for 5 years under contract with the Raytheon Corporation. We returned to Costa Rica in 2001 where we have resided ever since. My wife is a native of CR and is a tropical botanist.
  So, what is like to be here in CR as an admirer of the natural world? Well, with about 5% of the world's biodiversity established here you can seize the opportunity to view some of the 870, or so,  bird species, over 11000 species of plants that includes more than 1500 species of orchids, some 400 species of amphibians and reptiles, over 200 species of mammals, of which more than 100 are bats, and 181 known species of fresh-water fish. Insects? How about more than 35000 identified species with possibly thousands more yet to be discovered, so be prepared to bring your own personal supply of bug spray!
 Subsequent blogs of mine will include photos and possibly sound and video on occasion to accompany my narrative. I hope you will enjoy.

     Natureboy