In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us have been house bound for months. During this time when we cannot travel out of the county, let-alone to other countries, it is nice to recall the opportunities we once had and hope to have again soon to experience international travel. Upon reflecting, the 2018 Naturalist Journey: Peru: Manu National Park with Machu Picchu stands out as one of my most memorable.
Following a delightful paddle/birding experience in an ox-bow lake along the Madre del Dios River in the Amazon River basin of southeast Peru (photo above), we walked a short distance to a gigantic Kapok tree. It had multiple flights of metal stairs leading high up to a tree-fort-like canopy tower. We proceeded to climb the 230 steps alongside the giant trunk of the 500-year-old Kapok tree – one of the most rewarding climbs we have ever made.
Once on top we were astonished by the sweeping views, and the eye-level contact with avian visitors– an absolutely incredible vista.
The canopy was alive! A Masked Tityra called and perched on a massive nearby branch. We then saw two birds unique to the area, a Dull-capped Attila, a bird that is anything but dull, and a Creamy-colored Woodpecker that landed on a nearby branch.
Two Plumbeous Kites flew to our tree, just 30 feet above us, one with nesting materials in its beak, intent on building a nest nearby. Soaring around the tree at eye-level were Greater Yellow-headed Vultures and a Swallow-tailed Kite.
To add to the show, two Bolivian Red Howler Monkeys were illuminated by the morning sun on their perches, just a few trees distant from us. Sitting in one of the most biodiverse places on earth and viewing the wildlife at canopy level was phenomenal.
This tree is an incredibly special perch in an extraordinary setting.We lingered here for an hour before descending back to earth; the memory, however, will linger forever.
