A couple days ago, our journey started on the Maranon River, one of the tributaries of the great Amazon. The Ucayali River also contributes water from the rivers of the southwestern side of Peruvian Andes. In the upcoming days, we are going to navigate up the Ucayali River to observe more of this reserve and to forge deeper into creeks and rivers that are rarely explored.
This morning, we paid a visit to Clavero Lake on the side of the Ucayali River. This lake discharges water into the Ucayali. The lake is filled with black water from the small creeks that flow through the jungle, amassing to form a large body of black water that is home to the iconic Amazon river dolphins. As we entered the lake, we spotted the river dolphins that inhabit this vast network of rivers.
We continued exploring the lake and looking for wildlife. Indeed, we made many sightings! Some were elusive, like those of the dusky titi monkeys jumping along tree branches. A few minutes later, we spotted the jewel of the Amazon, the plum-throated cotinga! The birds were perched on an entirely exposed branch, and they were easy to spot. What a morning!
In the afternoon, we explored Supay Creek. We found large fields of camu-camu, a popular, local fruit that is rich in vitamin C. We serve camu-camu juice on board the ship every day, and we all love it in the mornings! Here at Supay, we had the opportunity for kayaking and skiff exploration. This place is home to many types of birds, especially herons and flycatchers!
At sunset, we explored a part of the flooded forest, and our sighting of the day was a flock of hoatzins. These birds have an interesting natural history. Babies reveal some traces of a functional thumb that allow them to climb branches and bushes as they look for shelter before they can fly. Later in their development, they lose this vestigial thumb, and their wings look just like the wings of a normal bird.
Another amazing day in the Peruvian jungle of the Upper Amazon!
