Zombie Fungus

The correct name is Cordyceps, a fungus that has enveloped a wasp. Our itinerary was all over the place this morning, and a early rise proved unnecessary as the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve delayed opening because of fallen trees, indeed one had fallen on a truck left overnight in the car park. Wrapped up in several layers against the wind we managed a short circuit led by an expert ranger. Highlights included an orange knee tarantula, relatively harmless to humans, and by huge luck a distant sighting of the iconic Resplendent Quetzel, we caught a glimpse of its turquoise tail in the swirling vegetation.
Unusually the cloud forest was basked in sunshine, quite nice for us but another ominous sign of rapid climate  change. Twenty years ago when our guide was a lad there were on average 30 days of sunshine each year. Last year there were over 200. 
After a visit to a butterfly centre it was 3pm and lunch seemed to have past us by. Some of repaired to a coffee shop in Monteverde where we discovered there was a power cut, there had been in the night which I hadn’t noticed, frappes didn’t hit the spot. Fortunately by the time we had walked to the hotel power was restored and I warmed up in a mostly hot shower. The weather now has further deteriorated and Fred our driver will take us to the restaurant for our evening meal, the one in the hotel was significantly below par last night, but since we were all in good spirits and had quaffed some red wine no one complained. I take my hat off to Rambler folk who volunteered their time and people skills to lead these holidays.
The extra is the humming birds we saw as we came out of the Reserve.