Peru Part 4

Our first night at Tambopata Research Center was rainy all night. Frankly I laid awake wondering how I was going to manage the camera and lens in the rain, and in the morning got geared up with my dry bag backpack. But we got lucky, and aside from a couple of sprinkles, it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Our group was really great. Both Steve and Dave have degrees in ornithology from Australia, and Pru and Kathy (their wives) are great birder/naturalists in their own right. with Rudy as the general, and Rudolfo and Carlos our native guides, we got a great education. These guys didn't waste time though. Even before light they were looking up and around for the birds!


We crossed over to an island in the river, just upriver from TRC in a canoe in the early morning. The beauty of the place is hard to describe, and impossible to capture in pictures.


Our first stop was the largest clay lick in the world where up to 15 species of Macaw, Parrot and similar birds come to harvest the minerals found in the cliffs along the river.


Though we were careful not to approach too closely, the size of the Macaw's together with their call is very impressive.


The noise is incredible and you find yourself just turning your head constantly trying to take it all in.



At times there would be dozens or even hundreds stop for a few moments in the top of a tree, only to all take off as a group a moment later.


Later at TRC we got some really close shots of the project Macaws who came into camp, but the colors on these birds are remarkable no matter how far away you are.



As it got light, and things began to slow down at the lick, we hiked along the river to some ponds and swamps. Many times we are looking for a certain bird, but end up seeing something different and just as incredible. This early morning excursion was no exception. Again my apologies for posting some less than impressive pictures, but to even get a picture of some of these birds is more than we often hope for.


This little Black Capped Donocobius for example is a little 4 to 5 inch wren like bird that I just couldn't seem to get to pose! Seems it is always singing in duet with a mate, with very musical trills and burbles.

As we walked along the trail our guides often would stop and point up into the canopy where because of the shadows, it often took us a bit to see what they were showing us. But, once you have it, some of these birds are just incredible. Of course the Trogons are one of the really striking birds of South America.


This Blue Crowned Trogon is really striking in the forest and looks a lot bigger than the 10 inches that he is. In the next photo, the display was really fun!


Of course as we walked a path that occasionally went right next to the river we would see other wildlife. This family of Side Necked(?) Turtles was enjoying the morning sun.


One of the really fun (and not really scary) things about the jungle is the lizards. This Race Runner was curious and kept coming back toward me as we walked on the trail so I took a shot!


At a pond, we stopped and at a snack, and while we were sitting there saw some really fun birds.
For example, how about this Razor-Billed Currasow for a goofy looking guy! At about 3' long, this guy is actually pretty impressive/intimidating.


Or of course one of my Amazon basin favorites, the apparently not so tasty Hoatzin (that is why they are still around according to the natives), was coughing and grunting its way through the brush.


At about 2 feet long or so, this bird actually looks a lot bigger as it basically crashes around in the trees.


Around the lake were a number of flycatchers such as this Social Flycatcher. At about 6 inches, this little guy will swoop out catching its food as it flys and often return to perch just where it left.


The 11" Black Fronted Nunbird is a very mellow forest dweller. Often calls with a quiet mewing that you just barely hear, but when you see it do it just feels good. A close but more mellow cousin to the White Fronted Nunbird I had in post 1.



Just before lunch we came out into a clearing of sorts that looked like an old swamp which is being reclaimed by the native trees. The Squirrel Monkeys jumping through the trees were really entertaining.


Across the clearing at quite a distance was a Crimson Crested Woodpecker. The Amazon has some really amazing woodpeckers, and this guy at about 14" really stands out even at a distance.


Just as we decided to head back for lunch, Rudolpho spotted a Chestnut-Capped Puffbird way up in a tree. He was incredibly hard to see, but Rudy got the scope on it (he is a genuis in getting the scope on an obscure bird), and we all got to see it. I tried for at least 15 minutes to find it with the big lens, and finally got on it. This rare litte 7 incher is absolutely stunning to see in the binoculars or scope.


We just couln't resist standing for quite a while as this very striking bird sang away!


After lunch, we went back out into the jungle. This time we were deep in the forest. Here is my friend Terry next to a very typical tree. Notice how dark it is under the canopy.


While many of the birds under the canopy are drab, birds like this Purplish Jay jump out at you. About the size of our American jays at 12 inches.


The Black-Tailed Trogon is also fun to see in the understory. At 12 inches, they swoop quietly through the trees, often not making a sound.


Some of the really interesting things in the jungle are actually transparent. This butterfly dissapears in certain light.


As we were walking through the forest, we were hearing the Howler Monkeys constantly. Finally, Rudolpho got us on a troop of 20 or so led by this very assertive male.


Ok. these posts could go on and on, but needless to say this was a full day! Before I go however, I am hoping one of my companions can identify this one for me.