Sapote Canio & Supay Canio
By skiff we explored Sapote, one of the hundred little creeks along the Ucayali River, were life is abundant. We saw many more birds, bringing our count of species to more than one hundred, and the trip isn’t over just yet!
A green iguana posed on a tree with its large mouth and wide staring eyes. A few days ago we had found a young one, painted in bright green. When fully grown they become brownish black, and change their diet, from basically arthropods when little, to fruits and leaves when adults. Two short spines adorn the nose above the nostrils, and a loose membrane of skin called a dewlap hangs below the throat.
It looks threatening, with its legs sprawled alligator-like to the sides, and sharp claws in its toes. But we have nothing to fear from it; iguanas are peaceful creatures near the base of the food chain.
We visit a little town, Sapote, and have another opportunity to interact with children who are always curious and happy about visitors. Many smiles are exchanged, pictures taken, and school supplies distributed.
Once back on board we had a cultural question-and-answer session with our naturalists, we learned to fold towels in the cutest shapes and to prepare a famous Amazonian dish, “Juane.”
In the afternoon we went to explore Supay Canio, to add a dozen more the birds to our list.
People from the Amazon tell the story of a girl who fell in love with the moon, believing it was the most courageous warrior who guarded the night from evil spirits. One day she saw the bright, full moon reflected in the mirror water of a lake. She jumped in and died, but she was transformed into the Giant Lilly, which at night opens its petals to enjoy the moon rays of her beloved moon.
We have something very much to look forward for our last day in the Amazon: giant water lilies at Puerto Miguel.
