Snake on a path

or, why you  should identify it before you get too close.

Today we drove to the Arenal area named after the volcano there. The volcano was active until 2010 and great views could be had of its lava flows. But now it is dormant and frequently hidden in cloud.
The hotel we were to stay in (probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in) didn't quite have our room ready when we arrived and so we headed to La Fortuna waterfall, a popular tourist destination. As you walk down to the waterfall (400 steps) there is an orchid garden on the left and so we thought we would have a wander through there first. As we were walking a man coming the other way said'if you're interested there is a snake just along the path,' Yes, I was interested and so he took me along and showed me where it was, just on the path, attempting to get off the path by climbing up the small wall. Well, after having got so close to the boa constrictor and not come to any harm I was quite gung ho about the whole thing and moved in close to get a photograph. Not too happy with this the snake kind of flattened itself down in an angry-looking action and so I backed off and left it to its own devices and carried on down to see the waterfall. Tomorrow, when I show the photograph to our guide at the hanging bridges he will point out in horror that getting so close to a Fer de Lance is not advisable. Here is what the BBC info page has to say about it: Fer-de-lance
Fer-de-lances are one of the largest and most deadly snakes of Central and South America. They are Costa Rica's most feared snake and with good reason: 50% of all snakebites are from this venomous viper. Described as the ultimate pit-viper, fer-de-lances are excitable, unpredictable and can deliver swift and aggressive strikes. With up to 90 live young born in a single brood, they are a common cause of snakebites in their range. During the day, fer-de-lance lie coiled amongst the leaf-litter, where their long, thick bodies can be hard to spot. Come sundown, the search begins for something to eat.

Moving swiftly on...
The waterfall was moderately picturesque and the garden by the carpark was where we saw most butterflies during our holiday. This is a glasswing which, as its name suggests, has transparent wings. Check out extras for that snake.