Nauto Caño, San Francisco, and Yucuruchi
Our exploration of the upper Amazon continued with early morning skiff rides in the Nauto Caño area on the Marañon River. Another fiery sunrise greeted us as we set off in this very narrow tributary. With this being the low water season, we had to pick and choose our path through the sand bars and downed trees, but rewards were abundant. The waterway was lined with egrets, terns, kingfishers and hawks. Many spectacular birds were sighted, including Lemon-throated Barbets, Bluish-fronted Jacamars, and a Chestnut Woodpecker. A snake deep in a bank hole was the infamous Fer-de-lance, but this was the less troublesome aquatic version. A few monkeys were spotted as well, including Squirrel Monkeys and a couple of Saddleback Tamarins feeding on small figs. We returned to the ship as the heat developed and were greeted by a refreshing fruit juice as we made our way further down the Marañon River.
In the afternoon we positioned down river near the small community of San Frañcisco, and no, not that San Francisco! Here we set off to explore a different type of forest, terra firme. This is forest that never floods, even when the river is at its highest. We were able to encounter many new and different things including leaf cutter ants, massive termite mounds, some different birds, and of course many new plants. Our main focus was on medicinal and useful plants and our local guides expertly described the many different uses of a vast array of native plants.
We returned to the shore and it was time to visit some of the locals, people that is. We browsed their local handicrafts, some beautiful stuff made from palms, calabashes, and seeds. We also donated some school supplies and vitamins, much to the delight of the children. Returning on board at sunset, we had a lesson on how to make pisco sours, and more importantly, drinking them.
We finished the day with a night walk at Yucuruchi. Here we were able to enjoy the rain forest at night. A few frogs were seen, as well as many caterpillars, butterflies, crickets, and other insects. A bamboo rat was a pleasant surprise, but the best was certainly the night sounds. Many insects and frogs were calling, and a couple of potoos and Parauques as well. Certainly, a full day of exploring!
