Costa Rica Earthquakes

While on vacation in Costa Rica, Donna and I experienced 4 tremors as we felt the house wobble and another time in the swimming pool. Nearby earthquakes echoed their strength as we felt their vibes. Some people that don't live in California or in an area stricken by earthquakes believe that they might die in the first earthquake that they experience in a seismically-active country like Costa Rica. Of course that terrible tragedies have occurred in any country where the forces of nature are extremely active, but tourists must realize that even in regions like these, natural occurrences rarely turn out to be catastrophes.Costa Rica is a natural bridge between North and South America. The natural forces that created it are still at work, especially since the country is geologically speaking, only three million years old (very young for geological standards). The frequent earthquakes are caused by the collision and movement of the two main tectonic plates around Costa Rica: the Cocos plate (Pacific) and the Atlantic plate. Seismic waves are caused when the friction between plates can't accumulate further and must be released. Small-scale tremors and earthquakes are common and extremely harmless, but srong earthquakes occur less often. -- Howard Bright, President Ion Exchange, Inc.http://www.ionxchange.com/ 800-291-2143
“Helping you create your own natural beauty”
View our “New” Bird and Butterfly Attractor Station http://www.ionxchange.com/bird_and_butterfly_attractor_sta.htm

Lloyd Vann named Costa Rica Strong Man of 2009

As an employee of Ion Exchange, Inc. where my wages were doubled every week, I was still depressed. My employers were going to give me one last chance to come around. In desperation, they sent me to the jungle of Costa Rica where I became a real man and now I'm pumped and ready to go with both feet on the ground. I’m Lloyd Vann, nominated as Costa Rica’s Strong Man of the Year 2009. Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B1eJprNUew

Mr Toucan

Howard & I watch the Toucans outside the house we’re renting in Costa Rica every day. They are very beautiful and inquisitive birds. The sunsets here everyday are incredible.
Check out our videos we took yesterday, we need say no more – just watch & listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HlZau0igzk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg9OPg9Ilx0

Donna Bright

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