2005-10-20

The caves are immense. Huge. Insanely large. If the base of the caverns weren't cluttered with calcite formations, a football field with bleachers could be erected. Possibly several. I couldn't possibly describe the caverns accurately, so if you're interested look it up on the web. I took many pictures. I think I've finally got the knack for cave photography. The secret is to not use a flash.

The mouth of the cave is the size of a house. Shortly before dusk, hundreds of swallows gather in the air above the cave in preparation for a good night's sleep. But, before they can enter the cave, they must wait while three-hundred thousand bats pour out like a thick smoke. The swallows become irate and bicker incessantly, but whether because of their delay or the awful stench accompanying the bats, I don't know.

After about fifteen minutes, the colony of bats evaporates into the distance, allowing the flock of swallows to nest. This is followed by the horde of tourists migrating out of the park.

Did you know that many national park workers can only work at a specific location for so many hours before being transferred. This explains the on-location living quarters I always see.