While the diversity of birds we found today in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve numbered nearly 50, they were not the only highlight. We covered the reptiles with our spotting of a rosy-tailed boa wrapped up high on a tree limb. Mammal sightings were incredibly diverse, from pink and gray river dolphins to squirrel and red-bellied titi monkeys, a couple of brown-throated three-toed sloths, and a line of seven long-nosed bats doing their best impression of tree bark. Whew! A lovely, exhausting day of sightings as we explore the Upper Peruvian Amazon.
7/23/2024
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Delfin II
Pahuachiro Creek, Casual Forest, and Yarapa Creek, Upper Amazon, Peru
Today was packed with activities. We started early, heading out in the skiffs to explore Pahuachiro Creek. In addition to an abundance of birds, our eagle-eyed skiff driver spotted a green iguana, camouflaged in the greenery. On the bird front, we enjoyed watching a pair of black-capped donacobius engage in a courtship display. Later, a great kiskadee allowed us to get close enough to capture some great photographs. After a hearty breakfast, we took a walk in the Casual Forest with the help of locals to search for the smaller insects and reptiles, such as poison dart frogs and bird-eating tarantulas. After the walk, there was an opportunity to help the local economy by buying some hand-made crafts. Javier, one of our naturalists, gave a fascinating participatory presentation on the fruits of the Amazon, and then we were off again in the skiffs to Yarapa Creek. We experienced our first rain shower, a reminder that we’re in the rainforest! But it was over quickly, and the provided ponchos kept us all dry. To end the day, we had a stunning sunset as we rode the skiffs back to Delfin II .