Valerie Rodelli
"The Lure of a Rainforest"
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| (Photos by Patrick Fraser) |
When first viewed, from the sky the rainforest looked like a mass of trees in every shade of green imaginable. From that aerial perspective, it appeared almost fluffy. One could not see through this canopy to the ground. So what was it like when you were actually underneath that canopy? What secrets did it hold?
It was a cacophony of sights and sounds. Standing underneath the trees, one could hear the sounds of nature: birds chirping and singing, other animal noises, distant waterfalls rushing, and winds gently whispering through the trees. On the ground were small animals scampering about, wild flowers, lichen, moss, mushrooms, and many tropical and subtropical plants of all shapes and sizes.
As if this were not enough, looking up was something to behold. The brilliant blue sky peeked through, with sunbeams connecting the top of the canopy to the ground in ethereal patterns. Exotic flowers perched on tree trunks, seeming to be suspended in thin air. The occasional iguana perched high up in a tree, usually resting quietly.
These are all part of the magic and beauty of the rainforest. Look underneath the canopy/umbrella to see the diverse beauty. It is alive!