I got lucky and found this golden eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlegelii) while out hiking near Cahuita National Park in Costa Rica. It is a venomous snake known locally as an “oropel.” They are a nocturnal small snake which preys mostly on lizards and frogs. This is my favorite animal to see there. It is always a magical experience for me, especially after not being able to travel for so long. I cannot express how much being able to travel again has boosted my overall mood and attitude. It was greatly needed, and I’m already planning this summer’s trip back to Costa Rica!

I took this photo of the red-eyed tree frog eggs (Agalychnis callidryas) while staying at Selva Verde Lodge in Costa Rica. It was so nice to be able to travel again, and the weather was great. It had rained the previous night, and I saw and heard the red-eyed tree frogs mating. So the next morning I went looking for egg clusters, and I was lucky enough to find this cluster. It is a few days old, as evidenced by the development of their eyes, which are visible. I also saw them wiggling inside their eggs. They were laid on a leaf overhanging a pond. When the eggs are fully developed, and when it rains enough, the eggs will hatch, and the tadpoles will fall into the pond below to start developing into frogs.

Photo and story by John Earl Kneisler
Costa Rica | Dobie High School