PERU: Andes to Amazon ~ Day 8 (Morning)

Early morning in the dining room at the Manu Wildlife Center is very inviting. The only light is candles and flashlights. We had another 30 minute boat ride down river, then a 30 minute walk.

Shortly after sunrise we found our destination — an oxbow lake waiting to be explored!

Our floating platform with two boatmen offered a stable, secure platform for birding and photography.

The ancient-appearing Hoatzin was a target for all… and happened to be quite plentiful as well. The interesting birds have multiple stomachs to help digest their leafy diet. The young birds have a claw to aid in climbing through their brushy habitat.

Yellow-billed Caciques made their way along the forest edge. We also saw a relative, the Pale-eyed Blackbird, which is a specialty of the area. However, I was unable to get any good images of them.

The Black-capped Donacobius moved noisily through the bushes in small groups allowing a few fleeting photo opportunities.

A family of Giant River Otters peered warily at us from afar. They did not hang out very long, unfortunately, but they are always fun to see!

This sub-adult Snail Kite made a brief appearance.

While a pair of Purus Jacamars offered many great views and photo opportunities.

A sloth was also a great find and offered a smile for the camera.

A few glimpses of Sungrebes, the only American “finfoot,” were followed by one crossing the lake allowing a few photos.

At the far end of the lake was our next stop. If you look close at the base of the branches of this magnificent Ceiba Tree, you will see a canopy platform… 120 feet up!