I went down to the beach...
That morning like I do at least two to three times a week, covered in bug spray, camera over my shoulder. I started to walk along the long, black sandy shore and then I heard them, a lively chatter and rustle just within the tree line. A whole family of white faced capuchin monkeys had arrived. I stayed quiet and simply watched from below as the commotion was happening from all around.
The adults were busy grooming each other with such focused care, fingers moving through fur in an expert rhythm. The little ones raced along branches, chasing and tumbling over one another in pure playful chaos. A couple of the older ones lounged lazily on thicker limbs, soaking up the morning sun like they had nowhere else to be.
It was one of those perfect, unscripted mornings where the jungle puts on a full show of pure nature.
Capuchins are incredibly social and clever. They move through the trees as a tight knit group, foraging, playing and looking out for one another. That morning they came through the coastal trees, ate what they could find, rested when they needed to and played like there was no tomorrow.
One little monkey in particular caught my eye... He was figuring out how to swing from a palm tree frond, testing his balance with serious determination and a bit of comic timing. I stood there smiling, watching him try, miss and try again until he finally got the swing just right.
By the time the troop moved on, the whole beach felt brighter. Their energy, curiosity and easy sense of play stayed with me all day. They reminded me that life can be busy and purposeful while still making room for rest with a little fun along the way.
I shared the full story of that joyful morning... complete with all the grooming, playing and palm frond acrobatics in a recent episode of WildHeart Radio with Sarah Lutke Wild. If you haven’t listened yet, it’s one of my favorites.
Check it out: Episode 16 - The White Faced Monkey Family and the Young Monkey's Giant Leap
These capuchin mornings have become some of my most treasured memories here in Costa Rica.
Bring a little wild playfulness and family energy home with you... Explore capuchin monkey prints and more in the shop.
