We now live surrounded by jungle with a tremendous view of the Pacific Ocean in the distance (seven miles, or so). I am totally amazed at the different life forms around here. Most mornings I awaken just before dawn...5:00 AM...and the noises are amazing. The calls of the Howler Monkeys reverberate for miles. All kinds of birds do their part in letting the world know they are awake. Our patio is littered with the body parts of insects that spent the night trying to get into our home and failed, but died trying!
One of the most fascinating are the leaf eater ants. Really an amazing little critter. They are the ones that make paths to their chosen target and then methodically dismantle the plant and carry it back to their nest. They are numerous and their marching actually creates a three-inch wide path that leads to and from their nest. The trails can extend hundreds of yards. Easily.
Mostly I admire their work. Admiration turns quickly to indignation when it is one of my plants they target, which happened last week. Standing on the patio I spied the little critters carrying plant parts easily 4-5 times the size of the little ants, or more. Tracing their activity I discovered they were actually helping themselves to several plants on my property. Anger. But not the kind the sun needs to set upon! An application of poisonous little pellets near their nest puts a stop to them within 24 hours. The next day the paths are empty. The day after that the paths are indistinquishable.
Writing this at about 7:30 AM in my office. Both (screened) windows are open. A pair of toucans are calling (screaming) to each other. A pair of Passerini Tanagers are working the seeds in a tall patch of weeds/grass nearby. And, a Long-billed Hermit hummingbird is investigating both the window screens and the flowers in my flower beds. A pair of Blue Gray Tanagers were on our patio yesterday. I think they were seeing their reflection in the window and trying to pick a fight. Something/s is/are scratching at the metal roof right now. Birds looking for seeds, bugs, no doubt.
Taking our Schnoodle, Lillie, for a walk in a few minutes. Walking here is very demanding. We either walk uphill or downhill and then the opposite on our way home. Sweating and panting is a walker's way of life here. No exceptions! One of the side benefits of walking are the views...miles and miles of virgin jungle and farms and palm plantations and Ciudad Cortes and rivers and sky and clouds and critters!
Loving retirement. Weight is down 23 lbs. Blood pressure is back to normal and below.
Loving life in the jungle!
Friend,
Wes
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Originally Posted by Diane Likens
