Over The Hills
One of my good buddies and always trusty driver Jesus navigating us from the Andes down to the Amazon. This remarkable journey from Cusco to Pilcopata in Peru sees incredible change in topography. Here, we are near Tres Cruces at roughly 11,000 feet and descend in 30 miles or so down to the jungle at roughly 4,000 feet. In the rainy season, this road becomes one of the more treacherous drives I've ever been on. The road gets completely washed out by mud slides, boulders litter the road, heavy mist and clouds obscure the view, and narrow roads with precipitous drops make for a harrowing journey. A stunningly beautiful pocket of our world.
Descending into the Amazon
The long and treacherous road from Cusco to the Amazon crosses over 13,000 feet and descends town to less than 1,500. It is a remarkable transition. This is part of the descent coming into the lush jungles.
Howling Siesta
A Howler Monkey takes a nap after spending the whole morning expending its energy howling for hours.
Rainforest Reds
Brilliant colors throughout the rainforest of Peru as you meander through the deep forest.
Neotropic Cormorant
Anhinga
Tropical Kingbird
Climbing Down!
In all my years working in the rainforest, never have I had such a close encounter with this special animal, the tamandua. Probably because they are mostly nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. I was relaxing in between activities around lunchtime and my local guide and good friend Gilbert came and got me. He quietly took me into the forest where he had spotted this beautiful animal. We watched it for 45 minutes being mindful of its space and watching it eat the termites and ants. They are in the anteater family, have no teeth, and are fantastic climbers. They have very limited vision and rely on their hearing and sense of smell. They utilize their sharp claws and powerful forearms to rip open the nest of termites and use their long tongues (which can reach up to 16 inches and is coated with sticky saliva) to extract the insects. Remarkable animal.
What's Hanging?
A Howler Monkey hanging from a tree along Lake Sandoval in Madre Dios, Peru
Blue Tanager Pop
A pop of turquoise from this blue tanager calling from a tree.
Howler Eyes
Salute
A young boy saluting the police in Puerto Maldonado, Peru in the rainforest during a celebration of the city's founding.
Bats
Bats sleeping for the day only to come out at night to take to the skies eating insects.. Thank goodness for them!
Golden Trumpets
Spider Monkey
Red Necked Aracari
A beautiful Red Necked Aracari in the late afternoon light from atop the canopy bridge in Madre Dios, Peru
Layered Sunrise
A tree silhouetted against the layers clouds as sunrise greets the day along the Madre Dios river in the Peruvian rainforest.
Clay Lick
Blue headed Macaws head to this clay lick above Puerto Maldonado every morning around sunrise (if there is no rain) to feed on the mineral rich clay which helps rid their body of toxins or caustic substances they might have digested from eating. They are incredible to watch as they descend from as far as 60 km away to this specific spot. They are overly cautious and spooked easily sending the whole flock into disarray as seen here when a hawk landed nearby. What a tremendous site. I could watch them everyday.
Butterfly
Stunning patterns on a butterfly in the Amazon. Amazing how their wings almost mimic eyeballs as a sort of protection mechanism. Nature is amazing!
Golden Flight
Yellow bellies macaws in flight with the morning sun glowing beautifully off of them.
MacawsFlightyellow bellied macawbirdsperutambopataguacamayos
Palm Tanager
Ipe Tree
