The Curu National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my travels. It is located on the Nicoya Peninsula just Northeast of Tambor. Entering the refuge I am greeted by a friendly soul at the main gate who provides me with a map of the many trails. I, of course, decide to take Quesera Trail which is the largest and most difficult trail on the map. Approximate time to complete is 4 hours depending on how much time you choose to spend on Quesera beach – it took me just over 5.
As I begin my journey I am greeted by a Coati who is watching me climb the first of many rocky hills. He sits in the tree making a lot of noise and stays just long enough for me to take a picture before he heads for the deeper forest with his friends.
As I start along the trail again the most beautiful thing begins to happen…the mariposa begin to greet me. One by one they arrive sporting the most brilliant colors ever. Red and black, greens, the brightest yellow…and finally the magnificent Blue Morpho pair arrive. They sit an arms length from me just resting and teasing my camera lens as I wait for that shot…which doesn’t happen. At that moment I realize that it’s not about capturing a memory to hold onto but allowing the moment to become a memory. I will never forget my experience with the pair of Blue Morpho Mariposa’s that day.
As my journey continued I was led through the jungle by a brilliant yellow butterfly that day. I saw breathtaking landscapes, crazy monkeys, beautiful birds, an iguana, and even a mother deer and her fawn.
I realized that day that the moments that I spend in nature are some of the most spiritual times. Its those times that I can feel my Mom walking beside me and it warms my heart.
