Cloud Forest can be thought of as a special type of forest, rainforest, or tropical forest. Much of the precipitation occurs as a fine drizzle or mist from clouds. This near constant high humidity from misting, and the cooler mountain temperatures result in trees and plants that are covered with mosses and epiphytes.

The rollover image shows two different types of "cloud forest" the first vista is of the Continental Divide along from the El Camino Trail, not far from the junction of the Sendero Brillante within the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, Costa Rica. This image shows clouds blowing up the mountain range of El Cordillera de Tilarin along the Caribbean Slope. This forest is considered premontane cloud forest.

The next rollover image is of Oak forest (Quercus). The elevation for this shot is closer to 8000 feet not far from Cerro de la Muerte, (Estacion Biologico Cuerici)

The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomacrus moccino) (male pictured left) is one of the most sought after birds in Central America. Sacred to indigenous populations of Mexico and Guatemala, the Quetzal which is a member of the trogon family, appears on currency in several countries, and is the name of the monetary unit in Guatemala.

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush