Red-eyed Tree Frog

 

Our exploration of Costa Rica began at Tortugero National Park nestled in the northeast corner of the country on the Caribbean. For the next three weeks we would fly around the country in small planes to different National Parks.

No visit to Costa Rica would be complete without observing the Red-eyed Tree Frog.

These iconic rain-forest amphibians sleep by day stuck to leaf-bottoms with their eyes closed and body markings covered. When disturbed, they flash their bulging red eyes and reveal their huge, webbed orange feet and bright blue-and-yellow flanks. This technique, called startle coloration, may give a bird or snake pause, offering a precious instant for the frog to spring to safety.

Red-eyed tree frogs, despite their conspicuous coloration, are not venomous. They are found in tropical lowlands from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. Nocturnal carnivores, they hide in the rain forest canopy and ambush crickets, flies, and moths with their long, sticky tongues. National Geographic

The airport at Tortugero.

A Twin Engine Otter would be our mode of transportation around Costa Rica.