Observation tower

First day in the jungle was easy - wake up call 5:30. Our naturalist guide Miguel and native guide Mariano (in the movie on previous blog entry) took us to the other side of the Anangucocha lake (paddling) then to the observation canopy tower in the jungle. We had to walk for 30 minutes with rubber boots on our feet. Tower is constructed with stainless steel structure and has about 40m. You must get to the top by stairs. It is installed next to the giant Kapok tree and at the tree there's a platform. We were observing different birds and monkeys, because from this place you can see everything that's going on at the roof of the jungle and it's the most interesting place. Then on the way back we had a short loop around the amazonian forest and Mariano explained us a lot about Indian's customs and medicine trees. So now we know for example how to cure snake bite.
After getting back to the lodge we had lunch and siesta time. In the evening they arranged us paddle trip around lake and nearby streams. It was one of the most interesting part of the jungle experience. We saw a lot of different birds, giant otters (one of the most endangered species in the jungle and very rarely seen here), many bats, frogs and monkeys. But the top of the show was the part where we were searching for caymans during pitch black night with our flashlights. It turned out to be millions of them in the lake - we saw their amber eyes over the water. Naturalist mentioned also that we can easily swim in the lake during the day, but must make sure that are not injured. Otherwise piranhas will get you quickly. We didn't risk the swimming, but the older couple from Argentina was brave enough and survived!

Mariano and Alex preparing the canoe for the short trip to Observation Tower

View from the Canopy Tower

Hungry? Bats on the stick :)

Birds,

Giant Otters,


Monkeys,


Birds at night (photo taken with flash and better beamer in complete darkness, flashlight used for autofocus support),


frogs in complete darkness (photos taken with flash and better beamer, flashlight used for autofocus support)

and caymans (photo taken without flash, ISO 6400, complete darkness, flashlight light)