We have been watching a number of different species of animals from birds to monkeys to insects engage in their daily rituals, such as preening, nesting, and foraging. Sometimes when we want to find a particular animal, by virtue of knowing a bit of their natural history, we can narrow our search by looking in a specific habitat, a certain species of tree, or by searching at a particular time of day when they are known to be active. Today we changed our habits a bit. With a not too early wake-up we took to the skiffs by seven and started our explorations of Atun Poza and its habitats and inhabitants. This has become a normal course of events for us; the difference today was our breakfast foraging did not happen in our dining room aboard ship. Our dining room became the shade of a fig tree along the muddy river where we tied up our skiffs. Our naturalists and galley crew became white-gloved servers as fresh fruits, muffins, assorted sandwiches, and pastries were offered. Tropical juices, hot coffee, and tea were available to keep our dining experience civilized. Our jungle café was complete with an immature yellow-crested caracara perched in the branches above our heads, keeping a wary eye on the waterside diners.
Afterwards we continued explorations and came upon more foraging activities. It started with a pair of monk saki monkeys high in the canopy. The pair moved amongst the branches to where we were able to get a clear view of their inquisitive faces and amazingly bushy tails. They continually dropped the husks of the fruit they ate and they clattered through the canopy. Further downstream a huge troupe of squirrel monkeys were moving through their breakfast provided by a large fig three. Branches were springing all over the place with leaping and landing monkeys.
Our afternoon outing up the Pacaya River took us deep into the Pacaya-Samiria Nature Reserve. This is great habitat for red howler monkeys. By the end of our foray we had easily found a dozen of these large primates perched high and perfectly silhouetted in the treetops. Other sightings included several hundred great and snowy egrets lining the grassy banks and pink river dolphins back in the black water lake. We took the opportunity for a second dip into the Amazonia waters. During this stop we could hear the calls of howler monkeys—an eerie roar much like a storm wind coming towards you.
We headed homeward fully satiated with the results of another full day of exploration.
