Jaguar at T.R.E.E.S

As you know we acquired some remote cameras to do some of our research here at the Centre. Three weeks ago we put up a few remote cameras in spot we felt we might get some wildlife. Last Saturday Vanessa went to check the cameras and she ran up a little while later, completely out of breath with a huge smile on her face. That could only mean one thing - Jaguar on the Cameras. Sure enough, what appears to be a good size male jaguar was observed on 2 of our cams on a few consecutive days. We have yet to spend enough time to know if this the same individual which it probably is as males have large territories. As this species is not doing so well in Central America we are very pleased to find them at T.R.E.E.S, they will have a protected area to feed and rest here!

Now! while these cats look large and fierce, there has never been a reported attack from a wild jaguar on humans. So not to worry when you come to visit the centre!

the paths and the tractor

We were lucky to receive Vanessa's parents last week, who thought they were coming here for a vacation. They should know better by now! We were madly preparing our first big group which is coming on Monday by the way, the UNB tropical ecology class. After a couple of set-backs Chris and I were able to obtain a nice John Deer tractor for Chris to play with all of the big pile of crushed rock and gravel I have ordered months ago and were just laying in the yard looking like giant Chia Pets with grass growing on them. For a couple of days Chris took this beast out and made us some really nice looking walking paths that go from the Dining hall to the cabins. On the next sunny day which is probably tomorrow, I will take pictures of the new paths and post them!

Chris playing around with the first couple loads of gravel!

Chris and the big JD

The beginning of the paths

We also now have a nice loop to do some jogigng on or just go out for a leisury walk!

Gery on the other hand was down at the shed with Vanessa frantically paiting the numerous trail signs that we have put up on the now 3.0 km of trails. We are hoping to move up to 20 km or so, but this is a start and the trails look truly awesome, feels like a National Park, well almost!

Here is Vanessa working on the TREES hosting Centre sign! It should be be erected today!

The gate!

We have just finished the last upgrade to the front of the station. We have just added three nice arched gates that really complete the look that we were looking for. Onlookers like the gates so much that we have been asked by a few people now to built them gates. If we don't make it as a station we can at least make it as a gate making company!!!

Here is a picture of the old gates and the new one's!

The old gates, quite non descript, boring...

can't even see them!

Now you are talking, that's a gate!

gates complete!

As always, enjoy!!!

storm and flowering tree

We had a storm come in on Sunday, dark dark clouds. I managed to take this picture of the main building with storm coming in the back and a large flowering tree which we have not yet identified.

Enjoy!

Critter of the week - Part 2

Ok I had promised a weekly 'animal or plant' of the week a few months ago but i did not follow up on it! I apologize about this and will now post a regular cool critter or plant of the week as I got lot's of good feedback at Christmas time about this kind of post.

This week for plant of the week, I decided to add a flower that can be found at T.R.E.E.S, if anybody knows what it is please send us a comment and we will see who will be the winner this week!

For the critter of the week, I have added this butterfly found in the lime orchard two days ago!

Good luck!!!

Flower of the week

Critter of the week

Quick lunch

Vanessa and Eva walked on a special scene right beside the house the other day. A Mexican Parrot snake just caught a turnip tail gecko by the tail and pulled it right off. Luckily for the gecko they have evolved a regenerating tail made exactly for this purpose, they will use their tails when caught by a predator and in time it will regrow, quite amazing! The gecko escaped, just a little shorter and the snake still managed to get a decent sized lunch, a win-win situation.  We, including the dog, then spent some time watching as the snake swallowed the tail which took about 10 minutes. It was a real life nature documentary!

Turnip tail gecko friend

The missing tail

The tail and the snake

Snake eating the tail

and the tail is pretty much gone

 Voilà!!!

New cabins

We are proud to announce that we now have all of the cabins we need for awhile. We have received 2 new single cabins from Spanish Lookout! So in addition to our 2 double cabins, we now have 2 single cabins. We can now house up to 34 clients! So bring them on!!!

These two cabins are 10x12 and can house a couple with a king size bed or can house up to 5 clients in bunk style accomodation. They all have a beautiful deck overlooking the waterfall, jungle and lime orchard!