So Many Stairs

 

This morning was the Canopy Walk. Sacha Lodge has its own canopy walk, built among three platforms exceedingly high in the sky. We started out walking in our wellies in the dark and reached the first staircase at dawn. 

Nearly 200 steps later, we arrived, panting and sweating, at the first platform. We stayed there awhile, watching a variety of birds flit about (photos below).

Then we walked, most cautiously, to the second platform. Two of our group were afraid of heights, so walking on the swaying bridge between platforms was a real challenge for them. But they persevered. We stayed for over an hour, spotting all manner of birds, from the toucan to the snail kite. Alex found birds everywhere and photographed them for us through his telescope. He has an amazing ability to mimic almost any bird (and most other animals as well); he talks to them in their language and convinces them to come to us. And he knows every single kind of bird, flower, tree, mammal, reptile, and amphibian. He is quite remarkable.

When we finally got to the third platform he showed us a tiny four-eyed opossum sound asleep under the structure.

We descended and headed back, stopping to view a couple of  crested owls in a tree. A fine ending to a successful birding!

After a hefty nap and a hefty lunch, we left on our afternoon canoeing trip. We went down the Anaconda Creek, so called because it has no anacondas, apparently. What it did have was MONKEYS. 

We saw troupes of capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and howler monkeys, careening through the trees and generally acting adorable. They all live together peaceably, though within their separate troupes. 

We arrived back in time for a cocktail and delicious dinner; tomorrow we get to sleep till 5:30! And we will go on an expedition specifically to find me some capybaras, because Alex has it in his head that I must see them. No guarantees...

These are some of the birds we saw. Pete, your challenge is to identify them in the comments!