It was not until last night that we finally experienced some rain in the forest. It was precipitating heavily and constantly, so nearly four days after our trip started, the words “rain” and “forest” have come together!
But our lucky star hasn’t stop shining yet, as we made our way early in the morning with an already clear, rain-free day. Our morning (more than any other early morning that we had experience so far) had a mission, we wanted macaws! I would have probably been happy with any type of macaw, but the mastermind of the expedition leader, Mike, had planed differently, as the ultimate goal was to see a specific type known as a blue and yellow macaw.
This pre-breakfast skiff ride was done along an area known as Yanalpa, which happens to have palm trees known locally as aguaje, which are blue and yellow macaws’ favorite nesting place. Sure enough the macaws were found, and their colors were astonishing!
Our luck did not stop there as we were able to see many more species of beautiful birds, and even five three-toed sloths as well as a water snake, happily basking on a dry, floating tree trunk.
After a quick and re-energizing breakfast, we headed out again on our skiffs. This time we explored a creek known as Belluda caño. By the time we started, the sun was already very strong, but the breeze produced by the gentle speed of the skiffs made it all better. It was not too long before we spotted new birds and even our first monk saki monkey of the trip. As we entered a creek, little did we know that we would encounter three species of monkeys during this ride: monk saki, tamarin, and night monkeys! We all were gladly surprise to find the saki’s and the tamarin’s traveling together in large troops, while the night monkeys were spotted in a small tree hole use for at least nine family members!
As if this was not enough, our afternoon was spent exploring El Dorado (not the mythical city but the river!). This river was excellent for three-toed sloths as well as for many more new species of birds added to our list. However, for most of us, the most special part was to stay later at night and explore the location with spotlights trying to find caimans and other species of nocturnal birds and animals. Once again, our mission was accomplished when the skilled eyes of the naturalists found several individuals of spectacle caimans and a few night hunting birds such as the common potoo (a night hunter bird).
This is just getting better and better! Looking forward to another beautiful day in paradise!
