Text and photographs by Michael O'Reilly
South of San José Costa Rica lies a mountain range
called the Cerros de Escazú. These mountains have
always attracted my attention for their beauty and mystery. Not a day goes
by without a glance to the South to see if she is there. Who is she? She
is known as La muchacha de la montaña. To see her,
I recommend that you visit La Sabana, which is a large
park and recreation area in the western sector of the city. From this point
you will have an unobstructed view if the mountains. If the sun is high
and the day is clear, you just might see her. She is elusive and if the
light is not just right you may not see her. See Thirty
days in the life of a mountain.
Look South to a high point where you will see a white cross called La
Cruz de Alajuelita. To the right or West you will see another high
point with a radio transmission tower. Look directly down from this tower
and you will see an open pasture. This open pasture area outlines the head
of the girl with her face turned skyward and toward the cross. To the
right of her head and down you will see another clearing which forms her
shoulder and upper arm. Below her upper arm a country road winds up the
mountainside which by a strange coincidence forms her outstretched forearm.
The road swerves exactly where her wrist should be.
The photograph shown below is a closeup of the area I have described. The
photograph has not been retouched in any way.
It is exactly what the camera sees.
If you have problems visualizing the figure, refer to the photograph
below which outline the principle figure lines.
Since we are viewing the drawing at an angle and the image is distorted
from our point of view, I wondered what she must look like from the air.
To get an idea I compressed the photograph horizontally 50%. The result
of this is shown below.
The photograph below , reflects the distorted view. I have increased
the contrast of this photograph to bring out the figure. To the right, I
used a graphic arts program to remove unwanted detail. Removing detail makes
the outline stand out. I have not retouched this photgraph,
I have only applied a "filter" which removes detail.
Is this the work of the hand of man, artistic cows, or a natural phenomenon?
Who if anyone is responsible for this intriguing figure?
I welcome constructive information, comments and especially aerial photos
which I would like to publish in this article. I am curious about the conditions
at the actual site. Close up photos of where the trees meet the pasture
area at the profile line of her face would be a great help to determine
the origin if the figure.
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RACSA - Radiográfica Costarricense
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