La Selva is a place where one can encounter amazing wildlife when one least expects it.  The following three sightings, from this month, are just examples of what you can see and record if prepared for the moment.

Ocelot: This beautiful female ocelot has been coming around the station for the last few weeks.  She, a male, and another individual have been photographed by a motion-detection camera under the Stone Bridge, where they have a latrine.  On occasion, a researcher or visitor runs into one of them crossing the bridge.  Rarely, photographs like this can be obtained.

Black and White Hawk Eagle: Unique in its coloration and a rare sighting, this species of eagle can be found from Mexico to Ecuador in lowland forests. This beautiful specimen was seen feeding on an ibis.

Boa: While not uncommon at La Selva, large boas are usually secretive and hard to photograph in the forest.  This one was encountered in front of the researcher cabins in the middle of the campus and provided an opportunity to see and photograph it at close range.

We thank Linus Günther (ocelot, Leopardus pardalis), Ralph Garcia and Ademar Hurtado (black and white hawk eagle, Spizaetus melanoleucus) and Carlos de la Rosa (Boa constrictor) for the images.  For more photographs and a video of the hawk eagle visit the La Selva Biological Station Group on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/301256037204/). 

For almost 60 years, ever since Dr. Leslie Holdridge bought the Finca La Selva and started his studies, and 45 years ago when OTS created one of the first protected areas in Costa Rica and developed the premier biological station in the country, people have wondered takes place at La Selva.

On November 3, curiosity brought 1,780 people (plus about 150 staff and volunteers) together for a fantastic Environmental Day at La Selva Biological Station. Hundreds of people wandered around scientific exhibits, walked the forests, toured the station, listened to live music, enjoyed folkloric dances, partook in delicious foods, shopped at our little store and at a dozen or more artisan booths.

People from 50 different communities, mostly from the Sarapiquí, but also traveling from as far as San Jose, Heredia, Alajuela, Caño Negro, Curridabat and more, came to spend the day with us.  Scientists mingled and shared their projects with families and friends; guides from la Selva, Tirimbina, Selva Verde and other locations shared their love and knowledge about the rainforest and the plants and animals that they encountered.  Local artisans displayed proudly their nature-inspired creations, while our fabulous cooks prepared meal after meal for the crowds that didn't want to leave.  Children told about their own science projects to other children and adults, setting the stage for future careers in science and in education.  In all, it was a Sunday to remember.

Everyone that worked so hard for this day can say with confidence that we did something good for these communities.  We opened many eyes to the wonders of nature and the thrill of research; we exposed children and their parents on the ways to share nature with others; we shared our passion and our excitement for discovery and showed that we cared about our region and its incredible natural resources.

Thanks to all that worked so hard to make this a special day!

Photos by Carlos de la Rosa 

La Selva is known for its healthy community of researchers, graduate students and college-level courses.  However, a new generation of high school students has begun carrying out data collection on important topics, such as climate change and its effect of the growth of trees in the station's rainforest.  These students, part of Education First (EF) visiting groups, are learning what the consequences of climate change are and how it is affecting the growth of several species of important trees at the station.  They learn the techniques and data collection methods straight from the long-term research projects, such as that of David and Deborah Clark.  Soon, their data and interpretations will become part of a student-collected Legacy Data Set on Climate Change.  

Photo by Hannah Frank.

1. New Composting Practices at Las Cruces 
2. A newly discovered tree species
3. First Puma concolor sighting in almost a decade 

Call for Papers - IJAST 

The journal publishes research papers in the fields of science and technology such as Astronomy and astrophysics, Chemistry, Earth and atmospheric sciences, Physics, Biology in general, Agriculture, Biophysics and biochemistry, Botany, Environmental Science, Forestry, Genetics, Horticulture, Husbandry, Neuroscience, Zoology, Computer science, Engineering, Robotics and Automation, Materials science, Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics, Health Care & Public Health, Nutrition and Food Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and so on.