We are beginning our expedition in the vast Peruvian Upper Amazon aboard Delfin II. The rainforest is quite dry at this time of the year, and the level of the rivers is very low. However, this is the rainforest, and it rains at any time! We love dry days, as they allow us to explore more and enjoy outings until sunset. When the rivers are very low, most of the large birds–mainly egrets and cormorants–are close to the riverbank or roosting on the beaches.
This morning’s destination was Clavero Lake, which formed where several tiny creeks joined to form the large freshwater lake. Clavero was named after Manuel Clavero a Peruvian hero. The still waters of this lake are home to several species of fish and birds, including herons, egrets, and large flocks of cormorants. This morning we saw them all. Additionally, we encountered a group of local fishermen who had been fishing for an hour or so. They were lucky this morning, as they caught enough fish to eat for a week! It was a great catch!
In the afternoon, we explored Supay Creek along the banks of the Ucayali River. This area is home to many species of raptors, such as the yellow-headed caracara and the black-collared hawk. We observed squirrel monkeys jumping in the trees and gathering food for their final meal of the day. The river also had some surprises today! As we were exploring, we spotted our first freshwater dolphins!
So far, this has been a great day! I can’t wait to see more.
