Ponce, Puerto Rico (May 3 -25 ,
2013)
El Yunque Rainforest:
Entering the special world of the El Yunque Rainforest, you may find the legend of the "raining frogs" to be true. One can catch a shower
of the tiny and musical coquí tree frog. Their natural predators, knowing the frogs climb to the great heights of the
forest canopy, lie in wait for them. In their panic to escape to safety, the coquís will leap into the air and actually float down to the ground. "Raining frogs" indeed!
The forest was teaming with beauty everywhere!
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The giant fern or stick shrimp (Cyathea arborea)
An evergreen fan-shaped fern that can reach 29 feet in height |
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The beautiful bark of the Eucalyptus tree
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The humid environment is ideal
for the development
of moss on trees and rocks |
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| Hibiscus |
La Coca Falls is named for its 14th century owner, Spanish settler Juan Diego de La Coca. Puerto
Rico properties are typically referred to by shortened versions of the owner's name. Located 450 feet above sea, La Coca Falls rises up another 85 feet before reaching the top of the falls.
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| La Cascada La Coca |
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| Here we are at La Coca Falls |
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| Jim gets a closer look at the Falls |
The Tainos believed that Yukiyú, also known as the god of peace and tranquility, was the protector of the people during hurricanes. He represented
goodness. His brother Juracán, the hurricane god, was believed to be evil and was
responsible for storms.
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Heading to Yokahu Tower
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Observation deck atop Yokahu Tower
Overlooking Sierra de Luquillo
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The Luquillo Mountains provide much of the water to the
eastern portion of the San Jaun, including Fajardo, Cieba as well as Luquillo.
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| Heading down a path into the rainforest |
Signs were clearly posted along the paths to avoid the local Small Indian Mongoose.
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| Rabies??? We don't want to meet this little guy!!! |
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| But we did!!! |
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The Mongoose was most interested in our picnic lunch
He liked our PBJ almost as much as we did |
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| Bird watching |
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| La Mina Falls |
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| More La Mina Falls |
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| Who is behind that wall of water? |
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It's Jim relaxing at the bottom of La Mina Falls
Only a 3,055 foot wall of water above him |
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| No doubt, this was the place to be |
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| Another awesome path |
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| Interesting stone numbers along the path |
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| Yellow-Chinned Anole |
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| No troubled waters under this bridge |
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| U.S. sponsored projects are everywhere in Puerto Rico |
Somehow, I don't think Jim liked my driving
Could it have been the switchback curves...
or the 1,500 foot drop off on his side of the car?
After more than 2 hours of switchback curves up and down mountain ranges, we finally made it out of the mountains and back to the Ponce Yacht Club, safe and sound.
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