What is living in Costa Rica like? Outstanding and amazing in many ways and as a photographer I have seen the beautiful and incredible things right on my doorstep and this is an example of what I experienced.

We all know that there are leaf cutter ants in the jungle and they are responsible to bring leaves to their nest. Listen to this story of the strength, persistence, and dedication to duty of one ant.

In his travels across my driveway, in front of my most beloved flowering tree that he and his friends were devastating, a leaf cutter ant we will name Bill picked up a matchstick, you know, one of the wooden ones. This brave soul dropped its leaf and started to carry the match upright as if it were a leaf. Very impressive!

I carefully picked up the matchstick thinking that I would lessen the load. And incredible as it might seem, Bill did not let go and was picked up along with the match, his little feet still trying to march away.

I carried Bill and the match to the terrace of my house, all this time just holding the match. When placed on the terrace Bill just kept on marching to the beat of his own drum going around the chair legs however remaining on the terrace.

Without hesitation he marched around and around like a soldier carrying his flag. As a photographer I watched and photographed in amazement for over an hour and could not help but wonder when he would drop the match and go on his merry way as he must have been panting by now, not that you can see an ant pant, believe me!

Without hesitation he marched around in military precision carrying his treasure. After more than an hour of watching and photographing Bill I could not help but wonder when he would get so tired that he would drop the match as I am sure he was panting by now, and believe me it is really hard to see an ant pant.

Now I can truly respect their stamina and persistence when doing their very important job carrying their leaves back to their nest. As Bill became very tired I eventually was able to take the matchstick away and freed him from his load to go back to, what else, carrying leaves.

Oh, if we could only be like Bill, willing to drop our light load and take on a heavier burden without complaint. There is a lesson here for all.

In: Living in Costa Rica Asked By: Frank Scott [ ]