2011 July | Quepolandia in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

A One-Colored Big “Small” Cat

Puma Concolor – photo by Alan Olander

Where have all the coatis gone?

By Jack Ewing

Gatun Lake was created when the Panama Canal was built. Before the area was flooded there was nothing but primary rainforest. Once the lake was full only the top of a mountain remained above water. Today that 15.6 square kilometers of forest covered mountain top is known as Barro Colorado Island, and it is one of the most intensively studied rainforests in the world. At some point scientists noticed that bird populations on the island were diminishing, and they endeavored to find out why. As it turned out, the root of the problem had to do with big cats. When the lake was flooded a few pumas and jaguars ended up on Barro Colorado. Since the island was too small to support even one large cat for any length of time they all eventually swam to shore. That’s when the birds started diminishing. Without pumas and jaguars to prey on the coatis and raccoons their populations increased rapidly. Both of these mammal species are omnivorous, both are semi arboreal, both are opportunistic predators, and they wreaked havoc on the nesting birds. As often happens when Mother Nature is allowed a free rein, the problem eventually solved itself. From time to time a large cat will swim to the island, stay and hunt until the prey base is thinned considerably, and swim back to the mainland. This keeps populations coatis and raccoons more or less under control.

Algae Problems in your Pool?

By Costa Rica Pools and Construction

Algae are single-celled plants that live in water. Following are conditions that may contribute to algae growth: High pH (over 7.6), low or no Free Chlorine residual, poor water circulation or short filter.

PROBLEM: Green algae is the most common type of algae. Usually floats freely in water but can grow on the surface as well. It causes “pea soup” green water.

SOLUTION: Adjust the pH of the water to 7.2 to 7.6 and be sure the Free Chlorine residual is 1-3 ppm. Algae treatments will be much less effective if the pool cannot maintain a chlorine residual. Each algaecide has specific application information on the label. Read and follow label directions.

Use the following algaecides:

Tri- Coppercide from Costa Rica Pools

Success will be improved with proper brushing of the pool. Run the filter for 24-48 hours following treatment or until the water clears. Repeat treatment as necessary. Add Sparkling Blue water clarifier to help clear the water of dead algae and debris. Thereafter, make sure that the pH is 7.2 — 7.6 and that the Free Chlorine residual between 1-3 ppm is maintained.

Titi Conservation Alliance Update – July 2011

Time is precious and titis know it, here is a quick review of our latest results.

For our faithful readers and members, always expecting news and results, let us share a brief summary of the latest activities undertaken by TCA during the past months. We know that time is money, so we share the short version:

We welcome El Pasito school to our program. Believe it or not, is the 11th incorporation so far.

We recently had the pleasure of sharing with a group of “Discovering Deaf Worlds” who visited us to learn more about TCA´s work and our destination. Thanks for coming guys!

Vanderbilt University chose TCA again to help students experience a reforestation day and share with a community within the Rio Naranjo Biological Corridor.

Three nurseries located in the schools of Ma. Luisa Castro, El Estadio y República de Corea have been finished, and three more are on their way.

TCA recently did the first two scholar field trips of 2011 with El Estadio and República de Corea schools. All of our 11 schools will enjoy this experience.

Never stop learning, TCA brings several workshops.

Titi Conservation Alliance is concerned by the education of children and adults alike. For our kids we have the Environmental Education Program and for our members and local businesses we have our annual series of workshops. Workshops for this year kicked-off last month with the first activity “Intelligent Wastewater Management. Practical Solutions for Businesses in Quepos.” The lectures were provided by Responsabilidad Ambiental Corporativa (RAC), a pioneer company in environmental management and present provider for biodegradable products in CR. The workshop concluded successfully, giving the opportunity to participate without any cost to more than 15 local businesses. Having the tools and practical solutions to improve wastewater management is today a reality.

Be aware of the next ones coming because this is just the beginning. Here are some preliminary details for future workshops:

1. Energy Efficiency in your business. Free, by invitation only. End of August.

2. Tourism-sustainability. Together with CANAECO. September. Discount for CANAECO and TCA’ s members.

We are all part of the solution, we just need to learn how.

Filed under: Tey Arce, Titi Conservation Alliance on July 26th, 2011
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How It All Began

Janine & Aislin, 9 years old

We are very proud of KSTR’s co-founders, Janine Licare and Aislin Livingstone. They have both just graduated from two very prestigious colleges, Janine from Stanford in California and Aislin from McGill in Montreal. Congratulations to you both! Janine starts right away with a two-year program, Teach For America, teaching elementary school children (with English as a second language) in East Los Angeles. Janine will concurrently be getting a Master’s Degree in Education at Loyola Marymount University. We are thrilled that she will be able to teach these kids about the rainforest, it’s destruction, and then empower them to save it!

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Filed under: Kids Saving the Rainforest on July 22nd, 2011
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El Bosque y El Combate

Por J.L. Gimenez Frontin

Vamos a practicar el uso de los verbos. Llene los espacios en blanco con la forma correcta del verbo que se le indica en el paréntesis.

De pronto los corzos (dejar) _________ de pacer y (quedar) __________ inmóviles con su pequeña cola enhiesta y todos los músculos en tensión. ¿Le (haber) _________ olfateado?

Daniel entonces (sentir) _______ la presencia de una sombra sobre su cabeza. Lenta y silenciosa, haciéndose visible como para que todos los seres (admirar) _________ su esplendor, (surgir) ________ un águila de algún punto visible del espacio. (Volar) ______tan bajo, que Daniel (poder) _________ observar con toda claridad el estremecimiento de las plumas (rematar) __________, como dedos, el extremo de las alas, el brillo inteligente de sus ojos metálicos y plateado reflejo de su plumaje al sol.

Instintivamente Daniel (echar) ___________ mano a su hacha. Pero (ser) _______un gesto innecesario. El águila (sobrevolar) ___________ la familia de corzos y (ir) _________a posarse tranquilamente sobre una rocas a unos veinte metros de éstos, como si no se (haber) ___________ percatado de su presencia. Algo muy extraño. Los corzos adultos no lo (pensar) ___________ dos veces. Al ver a su eterno enemigo en tierra, al alcance de sus cuernos, (arrancar) __________ en una frenética carrera contra la rapaz. (Acercarse) ____________ a grandes saltos. Daniel (contener) _________ la respiración ante el espectáculo. (¿Llegar) __________ a alcanzarla? El águila (parecer) _________ distraída pero, en el último momento, cuando ya el corzo macho (estar) _________ a punto de atravesarla con sus cuernos, (emprender) _________ el vuelo con un vigoroso y pausado aleteo. Sin embargo, en vez de elevarlo por los aires, (ir) _________ a ponerse un poco más lejos como incitando voluntariamente el ataque de los venados.
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Filed under: Academia D'Amore, Tico Talk on July 22nd, 2011
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Blues Masters and Their Students

By Jim Parisi

Since its inception eighteen years ago, Putumayo Music has blazed a reputation for being outside the box. These are the guys who invented the term “World Music”, offering compilation discs of music by musicians from the same country or region or from all over the globe, playing a similar style of music. With more than one hundred albums under their belt, Putumayo has now endeavored into a new genre (for them), entitled simply “Rhythm and Blues”. The album is a collection of classic R&B songs performed alternately by legends and by novices, rising stars of the current R&B revival. And the formula works like a charm.

It’s about Tuna!

By Joshua Stewart

Hola amigos. This month has given fantastic daily reports. Boats have been fishing several days a week and they have had awesome bites. Marlin, sailfish and lots of Tuna for offshore fishing and the brave roosterfish, mackerels, jacks and even some sea bass for inshore trips. Ojaran III had a great day on May 24^th, reporting 2 Sails, 4 yellow-fin tuna and 2 Dorados. Some other boats report more Tuna and Sails during the end of this month. Great day for Ojaran II on May 31^st with 1 Blue Marlin, 1 Sailfish and 4 Yellow-fin Tuna. The same day, Ojaran III fished 5 yellow-fin tuna and 2 Sails. First day of June Ojaran II had 3 Sails and on the 4^th Ojaran III fished 7 nice Yellow-fin Tunas.

It seems like Tuna will be on top this green season which is great for those who love to catch their own dinner. Marlins have been flipping all around and Sails still biting.

Contact Luna Tours Sportfishing at Hotel Best Western Kamuk lobby, downtown Quepos central. Book now Ojaran II, Ojaran III, Magic Moon and the Reel Deal (27 ft to 33ft) on full days or half day charters. We also arrange other boats for charter up to 46 ft. Contact us at 2777-0725 (office), 8869-4808 (24 hour cell) and visit our web site www.lunatours.net. And remember, give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.