The Yanayacu Region of the Marañon River
After boarding the Delfin II last night in Nauta, we made our way upriver on the Marañon River and spent a comfortable night tied up to the bank in the area known as Pucate/Yanayacu. Although the weather locally has been dry, a huge rainstorm must have happened upstream as incredible amounts of trees and vegetation were floating downstream. In this part of the Amazon the river levels will change from about thirty to forty-five feet throughout the year. The area we explored today was all varzea, or seasonally flooded forest, and distinct waterlines on the trees marked how high the water has been.
Starting with a sunrise skiff ride, followed by a morning hike, and then ending with a sunset skiff ride, we had an incredible day of exploration. Huge numbers of birds were seen. Flocks of parrots and parakeets were enjoying the nectar of many monkey brush flowers. Our brains were filled with many names of new birds we have never seen, but more importantly, we were amazed by the diversity in colors, shapes, sizes, and behaviors.
Mammals were also well represented with squirrel monkeys, sloths, and long-nosed bats being see. For me, the best sightings were of river dolphins. Where the Pucate and Yanayacu Rivers come together there is a congregation of fish, and thus a major feeding area for river dolphins. Our skiffs were surrounded by pink river dolphins, and fish were literally leaping out of the water to escape predation. Using echolocation, the pink river dolphins use their large melon-like heads to find fish in the black waters of these side rivers.
At sunset we had distant thunderclouds building and Scarlet Macaws flying overhead. We gathered in the lounge to reflect on our amazing first day and to look forward to tomorrow.
