Near to our B&B in Rivas, just north of San Isidro, is a biological reserve and museum home of Dr. Alexander Skutch. He was a world-famous birder and naturalist, and philosopher. He lived to 99 years and is buried with his wife of 51 years on their tropical reserve next to a cacao tree and in the shade of a huge stand of bamboo.Our B&B host drove us there and we wandered the grounds, seeing Pre-Columbian petroglyphs, wild tropical vegetation, and saw his house and grounds, now preserved for the public to view just as it was left when he died (2004). The grandson of his Tica (Costa Rican) cook showed us around. Tranquility, butterflies, primordial nature. Glass-less windows protected only by simple shutters of broad hardwood planks brings the outside right through the simple house. Everywhere a deep sense of a thoughtful, peaceful and meaningful life.
A spectacular moth
Pre-Columbian petroglyphs on smooth rock slab along forest trail
Janet beside a Walking Palm. It has no trunk, just root shoots that seek better water and sun, and progressively move the entire tree through the forest.
Cacao tree - this yellow-red bulbous growth (note on side of trunk behind), contains brown pods encased in white slippery, sour-tasting pith. When dried and ground up, the brown seed becomes cocoa powder (yes, just like you buy in the Hersheys can).
A butterfly along our path; waited patiently for this photo.
Spectacular Torch Lily in garden of Skutch reserve museum. Grapefruit tree behind (see yellow grapefruit on ground).
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