The closer you get to the Equator, the more air plants you see. The term epiphytes refer to “plants” on the “outside.” Some are having some fun with their chlorophyll, where it’s being temporarily being replaced with other pigments like erythryns.

The roots from this tree have grown over time all over a concrete wall and have supported what has become a huge tree hanging over the road to Ocumare.

Orchids also become more common as one moves toward the Equator, although like the last plants, they prefer wetter areas. These are one of my favorite orchinisms. 😉

The American Crocodile is one of several crocs worldwide; with all but two being harmless to man (exceptions are the Estuarine of Australia and the Nile of Africa). Note the fourth tooth of the lower jaw – the “killing” tooth. And that ain’t a crock.

The basilisk is a terribly fast lizard of the American Tropics, with its many species having huge hind legs for racing away from predators. The huge back feet also allow them to run across the water, earning them the name, “Jesus Lizard” (translated from Spanish to English). According to the biblical tradition, Jesus walked on water.

Male lizards are often larger and more colorful than their female counterparts. This big guy is working with the female to insure the next generation, in typical lizard form.

Iguanas are often seen on high and this big guy has climbed to the top of the branch for better sun. He needs to hope a large hawk doesn’t see him!

This Masked Racer was near the road up in the rain forest near Rancho Grande, in Henry Pittier National Forest. I ran him down and delivered him to a better place, well away from cars.

Here’s a troop of Black Howlers enjoying the flowers of a Royal Poinciana tree. Note the young one using his prehensile tail for gripping. Monkeys diverged from apes over 20 million years ago, and no scientist believes man arose from modern primates.

Here’s a troop of Black Howlers enjoying the flowers of a Royal Poinciana tree. Note the young one using his prehensile tail for gripping. Monkeys diverged from apes over 20 million years ago, and no scientist believes man arose from modern primates.

This sweet little character is the Coati mundi, one of seven members of the coati family. They are almost a monkey-like raccoon, and definitely tropical. There is also a Coati Tuesday, a Coati W, never mind.

Here a troop of coatis are begging food from a tourist in Costa Rica, and I always cringe when I see otherwise wild animals being fed people food. No good will come from this mountain road gathering. End Part 1.