After breakfast, Adam, Porter, Mary Thomas, & Kianna joined Professor Cardelús and Jeremey for a 4.5-hour hike. They ascended to a summit over 3,000 meters and were rewarded with a view overlooking Cuerici and the Pacific slope of Costa Rica. The rest of the group stayed back and worked tirelessly away on their independent projects and presentations. They split their time between the dining room table, gathering around the fireplace, and outside in the rocking chairs. They treated themselves to an occasional break to play with the station’s dog, Pancho, or say hola to the horse, Pluma. We must admit that our very own Maya seems to be Pancho’s favorite!
Lunch was served promptly at 12:30 PM, just before the hikers returned. Those who stayed back chowed down on a delicious lunch of chicken with a mushroom and cream sauce, white rice, and a fresh salad with a choice of black raspberry or sunchoke dressing. Next, they satisfied their sweet tooths with a delicious chocolate and black raspberry mousse. Before they finished lunching, the hikers made it back to the comodor and were soooo starving that they quickly devoured several plates of food!
Many of those who stayed behind from the morning hike opted to take an afternoon stroll. Caroline, Clay, Keiona, and Sophie hiked up the road and enjoyed spotting many cows along the way. Once at the top, they laid down their field gear and rested their heads on their backpacks, and enjoyed a well-deserved break from R, PowerPoint, and paper writing. A cloud moved in over them, but still managed to cloudwatch and reported seeing a marshmallow, a cotton ball, and Colgate in December. The others stayed back at the comodor and continued working on independent projects ahead of their presentations that night.
For dinner, we enjoyed a hearty trout soup with fresh vegetables and white rice, and tortillas on the side. Cuerici is known for its sustainable trout farm. The trout were farmed right next to our cabin, in fact!
Presentations started at 7:00 and lasted all the way until 9:30. Alex, Kianna, Maya, Nina, & Zach got us started by telling us about the effects of herbivory on nectar quality and quantity, and hummingbird visitation. Next, Adam, Porter & Sophie shared their results on studying epiphytic bromeliad functional characters across a light gradient. Next up was Clay & Mary Thomas who studied the differences in epiphytic bromeliad herbivory between the arboretum and lab clearing at La Selva. Last but not least, Caroline, Keiona, & Matt shared their presentation on how the density and diameter of ant lion nests are dependent on the environment, and the reaction time of ant lion larvae responding to prey.
After the presentations, the group typed the night away – finishing personal project papers and gearing up for the next day.
