27.1.09

EL ORO PARAKEET MUD STOMP

BUENAVENTURA, ECUADOR - JAN 26, 2009

Today will go down as one of the most challenging and muddy days of any tour Tom has ever led. Darwin, the local guide, took us on a '200 meter' trek to see the globally endangered El Oro Parakeet. Only discovered in the mid 1980s this is the star attraction along with umbrellabird here. Seeing both as we did is extremely difficult and rare. We managed to photograph both, but we paid our dues! It was a muddy, slick and steep hike, and multiples longer than 200 meters, but it was well worth the journey!



Here are a few pics to illustrate why rubber boots are recommended for this trip. Luis was not happy to see us after he had just cleaned his bus!


Here our guide Darwin, and Diane, help Gail through one of the deeper 'wallows'.

No comments:

Post a Comment