The La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica

Our coach turned onto a private dirt road where a huge sign off to the side of the highway read “Biological Station La Selva, Organization for Tropical Studies”. After passing thru the gated entrance our ride ended at the Reception and Dining Hall. The professors accompanying our class would be staying in the River Station on the opposite side of the Puerto Viejo River but I would be bunking in one of the rooms of the Tortuga bungalow with three classmates.  What was dubbed a Christian spider, because of the cross it made in the center of its web, blessed our bungalow with his presence.  I said a silent prayer that a fire did not erupt during our stay making it necessary to disturb the resident spider whose web conveniently covered the fire hoses.  In those first minutes at La Selva my professor's specimen collection also began when my roommate discovered the first weevil of the trip standing smack in the middle of our doorway.  Over the next week I would become incredibly good at spotting insects all around me and even though I'd like to say it was out of biological interest I honestly honed my senses to insure all insects kept their distance.

A Little About La Selva