Rio Pacaya
Today was set aside for a full day of exploration on this large river system, one of two that give their name to the reserve area we have been travelling in this week. The morning on the lower reaches of the river took us into some large lakes, quite unlike the habitats we have visited so far this week. While out in the skiffs we took full advantage of the fine weather to enjoy an open-air breakfast afloat, with pink river dolphins in the water by the skiffs and the distant calls of howler monkeys as a soundtrack.
As is typically the case, we took a rest during the heat of the day, but even on board the comfortable Delfin II we are always in the jungle. A clear reminder of this came in the form of a three-toed sloth sighted in low trees just metres from where the ship was tied up. The eye-level views of this animal were the best we have had of a sloth all week, as it foraged for leaves apparently unconcerned by its admirers.
In the afternoon we were reminded of how dynamic and unpredictable this region can be, when we encountered a large mat of floating vegetation blocking the main channel of the river. This proved to be only a temporary obstacle, since the rising river waters have flooded the surrounding land (which is probably why the mat of vegetation has floated from a nearby lake into the river) and an alternative route was quickly found.
This enabled us to reach the upper reaches of the Rio Pacaya and allowed us the chance to go in search of some wildlife that we have not encountered previously on this voyage, most notably red howler monkeys. Our search was successful and we encountered several groups of these large monkeys, as well as our best encounters yet with several groups of macaws.
Happy with our prized sightings, and refreshed by a swim in a black-water lake also occupied by pink river dolphins we finished the day in a tropical downpour that could do nothing to dampen our spirits.
