AMAZON-Hoatzin

Hoatzin

This strange bird only occurs in the Amazon jungle and has no close relatives. Indeed, its heritage is a constant subject of debate among ornithologists.

It has big broad shoulders/ big wings yet can barely fly–just fly jumping from tree to tree. It’s nicknamed the stinky turkey because of it really bad odor caused from decaying food.

Welcome To A Week In The Amazon

It all started with a 3 hour drive to the Seattle airport, a flight at 6am to Atlanta, Atlanta to Quito Ecuador, Quito to Coca. Then a 2hr 45 min boat ride on the Napo River (the largest contributor to the Amazon we were told). THEN a 1/2 mile hike thru the jungle to a canoe. A Canoe ride for about 20 minutes to the lake where Sacha Lodge awaits!

Oh yes…And a WELCOME drink. It was in the high 80’s with humidity at 88 percent…YIKES.

Accomodations were very nice. We got there in the late afternoon. And that first night we went out looking for night creatures…like this Cayman…

Galapagos Marine Iguanas

These iguanas have adapted to life on the edge of these volcanos. They breathe air and live at the edge of the water on the cliffs or by tide pools. Then they swim down into the reefs and grip the coral with their claws and munch the tasty sea plants. When they come back to shore they sneeze out the salt.