After breakfast, we started our second full day of our expedition on the enigmatic and amazingly bio-diverse Amazon by exploring the Amazon Natural Park. During the walk, we learned from our Delfin II naturalists about several plant species and some fascinating aspects of the ecology of the rainforest of the neotropics. Just as we were disembarkating, we had the first surprise of the day. Two macaws, one blue and yellow and one scarlet macaw were sitting in a nearby tree just some few steps from the disembarkation site.
In this location, there is a suspension bridge which is a state-of-the-art piece of engineering, built using tall trees to support it. The bridge, approximately a quarter of a mile in length, allowed us to have the thrill of walking in the middle strata of the rainforest. At this height, there is a completely different perspective. It gives us the opportunity to imagine how the rainforest is seen by its inhabitants at this altitude. One of the local guides of this place found a couple of snakes for us, an anaconda and a whip snake.
In the afternoon, after lunch, we had a couple of talks with our photo instructor Mike Nolan. The first is an informal discussion about how to use smartphones to enhance our photographic skills. The second, a longer presentation, was an introduction about photography.
After the photography talks, we explored Nauta Caño by skiffs or by kayaking. Before disembarking, we were mesmerized by the many pink river dolphins that were in the area surrounding the ship. This gave us the opportunity to use some of the tips from our earlier presentation, as we attempted to capture them with our cameras.
Nauta Caño is a relatively narrow stream, covered with thick vegetation. Today, the river was very calm, with an almost nonexistent current. During the skiff rides, many species of colorful neotropical birds were spotted from the skiffs. We also spotted some three-toed sloths, and a couple of squirrel monkey troops.
The guests who opted for kayaking had a blast. They paddled quietly along in our comfortable double river kayaks, poking through the riverside vegetation and exploring just as the locals do in their dugout canoes. They remarked that it was a thrill to be seeing the flooded forest with such intimacy and tranquility, an unforgettable experience.
During dinner, we shared our impressions and sightings while having a delightful Peruvian meal mixed with local Amazonian flavors. Finally, late in the evening, just after dinner, we had a short night walk. We were immersed in the forest night sounds in total darkness, and several spiders, insects, frogs and even a couple of snakes were spotted.
We cannot wait to see what this expedition has in store for us tomorrow!
