Day 11 -- Crazy Finale

Thursday, February 14, 2008

This morning Alice and I were assigned to Hugo nest box again. Richard and Jhin helped us set up and then left—probably to snatch a couple more hours’ sleep.

Richard and Jhin setting up the monitor and recording equipment; Alice, binoculars in hand, recording observations

The airplane grasshopper pancake bandito

We found only one chick in the nest box. Hugo I, the chick that had fledged a few days earlier and had returned to the nest box once, had disappeared and was suspected to be dead. Chicks need to hang around the parents for feeding and instructions for a couple of weeks after fledging. The chick in the nest box we assumed to be Hugo II, the second hatchling.

Adrian and crew came to climb the tree to check out the situation and to take a take a crop sample.

Hugo II in all his gorgeous new plumage and getting weighed

When the two Earthwatch research assistants who owned pet macaws heard that Hugo I had not returned to the nest, they were nearly in tears. Sheila was particularly hard hit.

I think that this is why Adrian sent the following letter after we returned to the States. Alan was pretty certain that Hugo I was dead.

On Feb 20, 2008, Adrián Sánchez wrote:
Hello everybody,
     I know everybody is wondering how are Hugo I and Hugo II doing by now, so here is a little bit of their history:
     We are not 100% sure about the day Hugo I was born, it could be between the 22 and 24 of February. What we do know is that he had two little brothers: Hugo II, that is joining him in their first incurtion to the forest (the real deal); and Hugo III that sadly died of starvation the 8 of December. [Month mixup here? How could the 1st be born in Feb and the 3rd die in Dec?]
     When you (the Eartwatch team) arrive to TRC, they were just about to fledge, and they succeded in doing so, first Hugo I on the 13 of February who didnt come back to the nest, and after four days, Hugo II gave his giant jump following his brother's steps, or wings. For sure now they are wondering in the forest, as a happy family, together with their parents.
     We keep checking now the other chicks, and they are also doing fine, getting bigger and bigger wings.
     The whole guacamayero team sends to all of you a big hug, really greatfull for your help.
     Un fuerte abrazo, y mucha suerte en sus siguientes aventuras,
Adrián Sánchez 

Here’s Alice’s reply to Adrian’s e-mail
Dear Adrian y Guacamayeras,
     The Hugo babies were the cutest :) They had so much personality. Hugo Baby #2 was so quiet but loved to pose for the camera. Hugo Baby #1 was very fiesty and curious. He liked to nip at all the medical tools and Katty too! I'm so glad Baby #1 fledged on me and Susan's watch!!
     I knew I saw a second set of feathers in that nido !
     So cool to hear the 2 hermanos are happily exploring the jungle now. Very exciting. Will you ever see them again? Perhaps one day at the lunch table or on the Colpa.
     I am glad to have had the chance to be a small part of it all :)
—Alice

This afternoon turned into an exciting time. The kitchen and TRC staff were nearing a time of rest from caring for us Earthwatchers, and we Earthwatchers knew our adventure was nearing an end too, so we all went a bit wild.

First, Richard convinced Joan, a silver medalist scull rower, to paddle a sea kayak up the Tambopata (which by now is lower but is still running at about 7 knots) to the island after lunch. I told Joan I would record the event with her camera and take a few pix for myself.

When we reached the river, the staff were gathering to go downriver to a field they had cleared in the jungle to play football (soccer to us Americans). After I took a few shots of Joan and Richard—Richard flailing all over the place without a clue—the football team dragged me along to be their cheering section. 

Joan and Richard striking off for the island opposite the colpa

Now the kayakers and I were dressed in our daily long sleeves and long pants, etc., Joan and Richard having given up only their rubber boots in favor of athletic shoes. However, many of the football team were dressed in shorts and short tops, and several played the game in bare feet, including Alan. This must have been tough in the woody stubbly "grass."

Team captain Maximo ready to roll downriver and leading off (inset); a barefooted Alan and Pachanga

Little time out to pull up pants (Jhin) and remove the splinter from one's foot (Alice)

R-- The gals: Erin, Lucia, alice, and Katty; L - Maximo's team (above) prevails, but at some expense as he injures his right leg. From front left, Alan Lee, Jhin solis, Maximo, Sally Laurente, Pachanga, our waiter; Katty our veterinarian; our boat captain, and the guy on the end, a mystery. One of several who worked behind the scenes I'm guessing

A team dip in the river after the game. The river was so swift that every time I'd try to take a photo of someone, they'd be whisked downstream by the current

The game was fast and furious . . . and horribly hot. When time was called, the women came and drank from water bottles they’d carried along. Alan went to the river and soaked himself, but the Peruvian men merely sat in the shade, not one of them drinking water. They did, however, all pile into the river after we returned at the end of the game (see above).

A study in contrasts

In the meantime, Joan had given up all hope for Richard’s help in paddling, and the two of them let the current carry them downstream to the football field. We loaded their kayak in the canoe and returned upriver to the landing where all took a swim. Joan’s later story of the kayak trip was very funny, Richard saying always:  “Joan, Joan, big river do you think we’re okay? Joan! Joan! . . .”  Joan named one set of rapids, “Richard’s Rapids” in his honor.

This evening we had a special farewell dinner and said our goodbyes to all of the staff. The kitchen staff was applauded when they came out to say goodbye and brought with them an overly decorated bundt cake, wishing us a Happy Valentine’s Day. We had earlier collected a tip envelope for them which I hope was ample reward for the fine service and fine meals they served us each day. 

Our tree climbers, Jinette, Kelly, Adrian, Erin, Lucia, Lizzie spiffed up for our farewell dinner 

Alice's pic of Sally and the Kitchen Crew; Pachanga holding the Valentine's cake

Adrian, the tourists' guide, Jorge, Rambo and Maximo at the bar on our last night

 During a lull in data collection earlier in the day, Alice and Kathy made up an elaborate  farewell poem which they shared with the group after dinner:

 Team IV Earthwatch Tribute to TRC

The colpa is the greatest, I just have to say
I almost don´t want to leave at the end of a hot day.

Nest observation can sometimes be a bore,
But Hugo I and Hugo II will soon be out the door.

Richard, Jhin, and Fino take us walking through the forest,
They point out all the animals, for us who are the tourists.

Jhin found the ocelot, Fino found the potoo,
And Richard found the cane toad and the spider, too.

Our heroes are the climbing volunteers,
Amazon women who have no fears.

Adrian is their leader, who also has no fear,
Now it is also true that he has no beard.

Sally is the beauty who keeps it all together,
Rain or shine, shine or rain, whatever is the weather.

Maximo, Maximo, Maximo, you´re so cute,
You do this, you do that, you do it all to boot.

Pachanga is our server, the kitchen is superfine,
The food couldn´t be better, even with no wine.

Alan tried to teach us, he tried with all his might,
We hope that we have learned it, we hope we did it right.

Despite the boot sucking mud, rain, and roaches, we made it through, so,
The whole wonderful experience was ricissississimo!

—Alice Chuang and Kathy Schroer

After dessert and over coffee, each of us was given a few moments to talk about our experience and to thank Alan and our guides and newfound friends. A touching moment. We tipped our guides at this time also. I had earlier given Richard $5 for fetching my camera, and at this time gave him an additional $20. That does not seem like much, but when you multiply by three ($1 = 3 soles) he was amply rewarded with the equivalent of about $75. I gave each of the other guides $20.

Tomorrow we will get up early to visit the colpa one last time. Then we’ll go downriver to an oxbow lake, and then to nearby Posada Amazonas where we will spend the night before  departing the next morning for the final river leg to Puerto Maldonado, Rainforest Expeditions Hdq., and the airport.