Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco (White Hill Forest Protector)

Mike allowed to have his picture taken so he could rest for a few minutes.




This spider was 6 or 7 inches long. It eats bugs, rodents, and birds.

 

The Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco is located just outside Guayaquil and is about a 15 minute drive from our apartment. Cerro Blanco is a “dry tropical forest” - typical forests that are found nearer to the coast. The coastal regions have two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season, which is hot and humid, is from December through April. The rest of the year is cooler with overcast skies, but no rain. The dry, cool season is influenced by the Humboldt current that brings cold water and air up the coast of South America from Antarctica. “Dry” means no rain; it’s still humid and foggy in the morning, and clouds cover the tops of the hills.



Anteater
oso hormiguero



I think the butterflies liked the smell of my sunscreen.

We went to the Bosque Protector Cerro Blanco in March. The trail we took was about four miles long, and the first half was just about straight up the hill (mountain). We went during the middle of the day, so we didn’t see much wildlife other than lots of spiders (big ones!), bugs, butterflies, and an anteater, which was a rare sighting, according to the guide.

Ceibo (Kapok) Tree

Another Ceibo Tree



A Termite Nest