On our first day with the group we visited and hiked in the 60 acre Caguas Botanical Garden which is outside of San Juan. Although the garden is closed to the public on Mondays we were met by a guide who introduced us to much of the Puerto Rican flora we would see during the rest of the trip.
The gardens are built on the site of what was once a commercial sugar mill and many ruins of the old mill are incorporated in the grounds. Walking through it is difficult to believe it has only been open since 2007.
I also got some photos of some of the fauna of Puerto Rico…
This is a termite nest…we became very familiar with these…
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The snails were everywhere too….
Someone with good eyes spotted an iguana in an African Tulip tree…
We heard many more birds than we saw…Our guide told us what each was but I’m afraid I didn’t write them down…too busy with the camera.
I was happiest to get a photo of this coqui…a Puerto Rican tree frog and a symbol of the country. Although we could hear them often this is the only time someone actually spotted one of the tiny things…and it wasn’t long before it hopped off. They sound similar to our spring peepers…but louder…and were charming. I did buy some to take home for my grandchildren:)
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Our hike had a special non-botanical destination…Hidden in a very secluded area are some original Taino Indian petroglyphs, They were off the beaten path and weren’t easy to get to…
….It did feel like we were in a sacred place.
5 comments:
Oliag what a fabulous adventure. I loved all your pictures. loved the tree that looked like it had a strange mouth on it...The termite nests were huge. I am still loving my mits and wear them often especially in the eveenings. so thanks again. I hope you enjoy your holiday. will be watching for more lovely photos. hugs.
Oh, smiling tree and smiling rock...I love it! I love the one of the spike through the leaf, too.
Yes those smiles are something as Susie said. The iguana posed by the African tulip! Are those tall canes bamboo?
Isn't it wonderful to have a new place to try out your camera equipment? The wonders of digital, compared to our old days of slides. :-) I love your photos, especially of the ruins incorporated in the gardens, brilliant. That huge basin pool in the ferns and rocks is splendid.
Oliag...welcome home! LOVING these photos...It looks like a bit of paradise all these wonderful places, amazing moments. DAZZLING! :o) ((HUGS))
What a magical place full of such exotic fauna and flora! I loved the shot of the group walking through the bamboo(?) It was so tall that the people looked like ants.
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