Howler Monkeys, Fireflies, Bats, OH MY!

Saturday, July 21, 2012:  At night in Playa Negra, it was quite hot so at Midnight I decided to go for a swim.  When I came up from the depth of the pool, I noticed a flash to my left, then a flash in front of me.  Quick darting motions were then all around me.  Bats were skimming the water's surface and scooping up insects that came in for a drink.  They were flying within feet of my body and I was trying to remain as still as possible so I didn't intercept their feeding trajectory.

Then I looked up.  Little flashes of light were everywhere...fireflies! They were contrasted amazingly against the backdrop of the green vegetation and against the dark sky.  If you haven't seen fire flies, then this is a little bit of magic and very entertaining.   As a California native, this is only my second sight of these glowing wonders in my entire life.

Finally, from the forest came the deep, guttural, growl of the Howler Monkeys starting with one vocalization and then a chorus of them.  The eerie sound causes the hair to stand on the back of my neck.

So, I am experiencing all of these sounds, and sights, the smell of freshly fallen rain, the waves crashing nearby, and I am sitting in a pool that is near bath water temp and air that is about 75 degrees.  

This night was an exceptional electrification of the senses.  Thank you Costa Rica for your incredible gifts!   I hope we will be back soon.