Local news and opinion reaching the communities of nosara, samarA and Nicoya
Log in |
Return to homepage
home regional community sports entertainment surf nature health en Espa�ol English
     
Archives
December 09
January 2010
February 2010
Water Edition
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 10
October 10
November 10
December 10
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 11
October 11
November 11
December 11
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 12
October 12
November 12
December 12
January 13
February 13
March 13
April 13
May 13
 
Media
Partners
  El Pais
  Inside Costa Rica
  Costa Spirit
  Q Costa Rica
  Today Costa Rica
  El Sabanero
connect
FaceBook
Twitter
 
CLASSIFIEDS
 
community
  Nosara Animal Care
   
  Nosara Info
   
Esquelita de Nosara
  Friends of Nosara
   
  Nosara Civic Association
  Nosara
Wildlife

Commune with Nature Kayaking Along the Rio de Ora

By Arianna McKinney
Photos by Giordano Campini


An osprey feasts on a fish.

It was a morning of peace and tranquility going with the flow down Rio de Ora river, watching Jesus Christ lizards scurry across the surface of the water and spotting birds overhead, as well as monkeys and iguanas.

A two to three-hour kayak tour about 5 kilometers down the river through the mangroves is one of the most popular tours available in the Samara-Carrillo area, according to William Juarez, tour operator with Carrillo Tours. He attributes the popularity of the tour to its relatively low cost, around $45, with local guides; along the river visitors see many of the same species of animals and plants that they would see in Palo Verde National Park at a lower price, he said.


The river meets the ocean at Camaronal wildlife refuge.

Rene Sanchez Garcia, a local freelance guide certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), said another reason why many people like the tour, especially older ones, is that it isn't strenuous as the river's current isn't rough.

Sanchez estimated that about 50 bird species inhabit the area, and four of Costa Rica's six mangrove tree species border the river.Their root system is fascinating. As we float through the mangrove area, letting the current do most of the work, I am enthralled by the multitude of "straws" sticking up from the ground and the tangle of aerial roots hanging like vines from upper branches instead of growing up from the ground. Eventually they will reach the ground, Sanchez explains.


Several types of heron can be observed while kayaking along the Rio Ora.

We spot an osprey feasting on fish high up in a tree. As we draw near, he flies off with his fish to another tree, protective of his meal, but we catch up with him again a little farther down river. Herons are plentiful along the river, as well as the common black hawk, also known as the mangrove hawk. This bird, Sanchez explains, only eats crabs. It is also very territorial and protective. Sanchez once saw one attack and kill a heron to protect its nest.

At a bend in the river, Sanchez points out a spot where he once saw a crocodile, only to find it dead in the same area two days later. He assures that in his six years as a guide, he has only once seen a crocodile along this river. For those who want to catch a glimpse, however, crocs can regularly be seen in the estuary of Carrillo beach and in an estuary in the Camaronal wildlife refuge.

We reach the mouth of the river where it meets the ocean at Camaronal and decide to walk about two kilometers along the beach to the estuary to look for crocodiles. We don't spot one there, but we do find a stray baby sea turtle making its way to the ocean.

Back in our kayaks, we head up river, and now we must battle the current. It seems that as much as we paddle, we don't make any progress. Fortunately, a vehicle is waiting nearby to retrieve us so we get out of the kayaks and wade through the cool river, ankle to knee deep. Word to the wise, wear water shoes since the river bottom is rocky and remember to apply sunscreen when setting out for akayak excursion.




 

More Nature News

The 5 Most Astonishing Photos of the Monteverde Glass Hopper

They are a breathtaking insight into the complexity of the animal world. The aptly-named glass frog was photographed in the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica by cabin attendant and photographer Nic Reusens.

Insecticide Found at Nosara River Mouth

Danger was averted during a river cleanup on Sunday, November 18, when a plastic container of toxic insecticide was found near the mouth of the Nosara River.

Sustainable Nosara Expo on Dec. 8 Promotes Involvement

Mark this coming December 8th on your calendar for an afternoon filled with green projects, products and services, because the Sustainable Nosara Expo will be bringing eco-centrist ideas and people to speak, show, and interact at the Del Mar Academy from noon until 5 p.m.

Contact us: NOSARA [email protected] / PUBLICITY and ADVERTISING [email protected]
Copyright 2012© The Voice of Nosara