Rain forest equals RAIN!

If you are reading this maybe you have set your sight on joining an Earthwatch project, make note in the rain forest it rains a LOT!  We have been here a couple of days. Arriving fresh faced and eager to take on the challenge. Each morning we dress with our carefully selected gear. We bring layers, water, camera backpack- pull on our knee high boots and head out into the forest. The jungle! Note: it is cold here in the highlands of Ecuador and water resistant does not mean water proof!

Our team heads  out into the forest to finish collecting data for our Piper kelleyi survey.  We hiked up and and down the trails, going deeper and deeper into the dense brush. Walking on top of the layers of  leaf litter feels like walking on a trap door each step precarious just waiting for the earth below our feet to fall open.

Boots get stuck, faces scratched, we trip and fall and laugh and look. We take in the gloriously intricate world of plants, trees, vines and fungus.  The team is working hard to complete the mission. Data collection is a meticulous and challenging task. It takes commitment and a ton of physical energy.  Seeing the never ending joy reflected in the face of Dani and Santiago spark the energy to keep going. One more step, reach for another leaf and find a caterpillar. Participating in this research project has given me the exposure to science that brings my curriculum to life.