We continued our exploration of the Upper Amazon Basin of Peru with a diverse day of excursions. We walked, went in our skiffs, cruised in the luxury of the Delfin II, and walked again, this time at night. We were rewarded with an amazing diversity of encounters and experiences.
We began the day by exploring a tiny narrow creek with barely enough water for the skiffs to enter. Birds were numerous and curious. Fish were everywhere as they were concentrated due to the low water in this stream. Therefore, many things were eating fish. Kingfishers were abundant, at one time there were eight perched in one fallen tree!
After breakfast we went for a walk in the forest at Casual. Here, our expert naturalists were joined by some local guides. As we made our way through the forest, they would disappear deep into the jungle, and return with some amazing creature. At least five types of frogs were encountered, including two different species of colorful poison dart frog. Multiple lizards, a bat, and even a tarantula were treats. Certainly, one of the highlights, was a gorgeous anaconda. One local guide found it in a stream and brought it to us to show us closely. Very, very cool!
In the afternoon, a rain shower dropped the temperature, and stopped in perfect timing for us to enjoy the Yarapa River. Here, many of us saw two very special monkeys. Pygmy marmosets are the smallest monkeys in the Americas, and it was a fun challenge to watch them jumping from branch to branch. Others encountered the only nocturnal monkey in the Americas, the owl or night monkeys. They were sleeping in a hole, but peered curiously at us as we became monkey paparazzi.
To end our day, we again put on our rubber boots and went for a night walk. What a treat to be in the forest at night with the symphony and light show of the Amazon at night. Fireflies lit up the trees and the sounds of frogs, cicadas, and even a noisy bamboo rat filled the air. We encountered a couple of frogs, a tarantula, and a wide diversity of insects as well.
We made our way back to the comfort of the Delfin II with Venus above, rewarded with an incredible day of discoveries.
