Between Earth and Sky In the early mornings, low-lying clouds cover the trees in the canopy. By noon, some of the mist at the top of the forest clears away. But it’s never completely gone. Te cloud cover supplies water not only for the epiphytes, but for the trees as well. Unlike most trees, cloud forest trees take in water through their leaves as well as their roots. Looking up from my work, I see
a tapestry of treetops stretching in all directions. I see a place full of life. When I’m near the top of a tree, I watch and listen. I might see a flock of colorful parrots fly past me. Or a harpy eagle may soar high above as it searches for a monkey to eat. Close by, an emerald toucanet picks berries on a woody epiphtye. Some of the birds I see travel from far away.
Many songbirds, such as warblers, tanagers, and orioles, spend the winter in the forests of Costa Rica. In spring, they migrate to North America to raise their young. Many canopy animals live their entire lives
on the branches and trunks of trees. Most rarely go down to the forest floor. Capuchin monkeys and red-bellied squirrels leap from branch to branch. Powerful ocelots wait to catch them. Long-armed sloths cling to the branches with their strong, sharp claws. Green algae grow in their fur. Tis helps sloths hide in the leaves of the canopy. Tey look like they are part plant, part mammal.
Back to the Forest Floor Aſter a full day of observing and collecting samples, it’s time for me to return to the forest floor. As night approaches, I hear the howler monkeys calling out again. I pack up my gear and slowly lower myself to the ground. Te sun sets quickly in the tropics. Hiking
back to the research station, I hear the nighttime chorus of insects, frogs, and birds. I can hardly wait for tomorrow and my next adventure into the canopy.
22 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER
The brown-throated sloth spends most of its life in the treetops.
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