Hello From Costa Rica

Donna and I are down here in Costa Rica exploring the area around Dominical. A a day trip to Hacienda Baru, we encounter several paths across our jungle path. The paths were small but very worn. We thought it was maybe a ground squirrel or mouse that made the paths but on down the trail a little further, we saw what really made the paths. There was a whole caravan of ants in single file as far as we could see in both directions. Looking closer we noted that it was really single file but more of a double file like a two lane highway. One flow of ants was going in one direction carrying cut leaves of all kinds and colors of vegetation. The other line of traffic was going the opposite way and carrying nothing. Sometimes there would be a relay team where some ants would drop their load and return for more while a relay would pick up the drop and continue transporting the cut vegetation. Upon tracking the ants carrying the cut leaves, we saw them entering a hole. We found on placard along the jungle trail some information about the leaf cutter ants. It is believed that the ants use 15% of all the jungle vegetation in their mode of survival. Leafcutter ants grow fungus from this cut material. The fungus is fed to the larvae but the adults mostly survive on the sap from the cut material. They are the only animal besides humans that grow their own food. There are different sized ants in the colony. Each with a specialized task. The smaller ants scout out the area near their path to search out any danger. The scouts find the selected vegetation and lay a scent trail back to the nest so the medium sized ants can follow the scent trail and begin harvesting the leaves by cutting them up. This super highway of ants of this jungle are extremely well organized and equipped for survival. They are part of the vast eco-system here in Costa Rica.This is a great place to see so come on down and have some fun while exploring the wonders of nature.You may view our amateur clip of the Cutter Ants on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mefPg4DyM8AThe sound in the background are cicadas. They are extremely large and loud down here.Check out Hacienda Baru http://www.haciendabaru.com/Also check out SeaBreeze – it’s a great place to stay on vacation or if you’re looking for Costa Rica property of your own. http://www.homeaway.com/search/keywords:150803 or http://www.costaricaproperties.net/Howard & Donna Bright