tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42539924032819857582024-03-09T00:19:35.125-08:00A Scarlet Macaw AdventureIsolated and under threat, Scarlet Macaws are struggling to persist in the northern extent of its range. The Belizean population is suffering from persistent nest poaching. Poaching peaked in 2011 at 89%. In collaboration with FCD, we reduced the poaching to 30% in 2012. In 2013, we are stepping up the effort to put a stop to this practice! Let us know if you want to get involved!Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-25461126279373832122013-06-25T15:37:00.003-07:002013-06-25T15:47:58.590-07:00Working with partners across borders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BnM7_DVS-CVubvea1-u2qovIMJ0n47d8q7J2AiMVkSC0Eiyh1kGnghUMvYdPK8yLljzUb8QD4mDJsahYKdjwT6YBVjMfQ_xxYYanPutC_m4tb634us96EFJ257P6pPvsWu_hi4YfCwiT/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BnM7_DVS-CVubvea1-u2qovIMJ0n47d8q7J2AiMVkSC0Eiyh1kGnghUMvYdPK8yLljzUb8QD4mDJsahYKdjwT6YBVjMfQ_xxYYanPutC_m4tb634us96EFJ257P6pPvsWu_hi4YfCwiT/s320/1.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Female Scarlet stands guard at the entrance to
her nest. Notice the nest is on a dead tree. This is just one of the many
nesting trees which died after the reservoir was flooded. The dam brought
higher energy rates at the expense of an endangered and declining species. Not
only did nesting trees get affected, but also critical foraging habitat.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Approaching the confluence. This used to be a
large floodplain with dozens of large Quamwoods suitable for nesting and as
food source. Now, only a few dry trunks pierce above the waterline. Yet, the
beauty in the background still reminds us of the magic left in this forest...</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why I work in the natural
world? For its sheer beauty and staggering resilience! The Chiquibul has
survived the country's largest and most devastating Hydro dam, poaching every
year for the past two decades and beyond, illegal hunting and logging in multi
million figures, illegal farming and settlements... its been thru it all. Yet,
the beauty within, springs right back, sometimes in the simplicity of a gentle
rainfall over the canopy... sometimes in a towering and more formidable manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This year our colleagues
from WCS-Guatemala once again sent us help. Here one of their expert climbers
goes up to retrieve the chicks from the nest. Below our wildlife vets wait
anxiously to begin health checks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU3mBF1WPyzT5rfw8EoxMW-k6P3m1MmEHsAsFe7qCaCD9JVbTmMXQVOWDAfzg00f-tyFAkBb0OC42VrHmUWmwo1NGFP9-T5KnUjzFouoMn3SN5GypDNEdzhCXg5H-MHy9hQ9hfVEDE5z-/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU3mBF1WPyzT5rfw8EoxMW-k6P3m1MmEHsAsFe7qCaCD9JVbTmMXQVOWDAfzg00f-tyFAkBb0OC42VrHmUWmwo1NGFP9-T5KnUjzFouoMn3SN5GypDNEdzhCXg5H-MHy9hQ9hfVEDE5z-/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="hascaption"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span class="hascaption"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lorakim.joyner?directed_target_id=0"><span style="color: #3b5998;">LoraKim Joyner</span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span class="hascaption"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">shows me that the stet goes on the chest, not the head, to listen for
heartbeats. LOL. I was listening to neural activity.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: grey; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="hascaption"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hope
in such a tiny body. And to think that this lil scarlet could bring new genes
to this isolated population, hope for the species, all in such a tiny lil body!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: grey; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: grey; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Listening to a tiny Scarlet Macaw chick's heart
beat. It instills so much hope into me, replenishes my pride and polishes my
determination to help save these iconic birds of the Maya Forest.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Check out posts by our Partners:</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.lafeberconservationwildlife.com/the-flight-continues-scarlet-macaw-conservation-in-belize/">http://www.lafeberconservationwildlife.com/the-flight-continues-scarlet-macaw-conservation-in-belize/</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.503983529648988.1073741834.389169111130431&type=1">https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.503983529648988.1073741834.389169111130431&type=1</a></div>
Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-18376834892322929562013-04-20T07:35:00.000-07:002013-04-20T07:35:04.247-07:00A few stumbles but a great startThis past week we deployed the guys to the field to begin locating nest sites and begin the monitoring and protection season. After adequate training, the crew is ready to climb trees this year. After an early start we arrived at the reservoir and began the journey upstream and keeping a close lookout for active nests.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMC-TpzuxvWFusL_p8_MNdIAGVfz8ztarQ7LpPlyHXXbhfTnFOaaDLa2AEzsNA-nCYOvgrs3ygz18sRnKF-BQT-aGt_YqV2XherZ0rHShlc_tfEMRh_sjftfCZ0omrZyizBPwiaO47M-B/s1600/IMG_0324b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMC-TpzuxvWFusL_p8_MNdIAGVfz8ztarQ7LpPlyHXXbhfTnFOaaDLa2AEzsNA-nCYOvgrs3ygz18sRnKF-BQT-aGt_YqV2XherZ0rHShlc_tfEMRh_sjftfCZ0omrZyizBPwiaO47M-B/s320/IMG_0324b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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It wasn't long before we began to locate new nest sites. Time to chop our way over to it.</div>
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After arriving at the nest it's time to pull the line over and then the rope. It was quite a steep shot so it took a few attempts before we got the finishing line over. Once that was accomplished everything else happened pretty quickly. The female observed us from a nearby tree.</div>
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Charles climbed the first nest to kick off the 2013 monitoring season. There were 4 eggs! (Photos coming soon).</div>
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Coming back down is always a little bit of a relief.</div>
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We continued upstream until we reached a pair of nests that were under intense pressure last year. We started almost a month earlier this year so we're hoping these nests will be able to avoid the poaching they experienced last year. They did successfully re-nest last year but it'll be great if they can finish up earlier this year. The female patiently watched and waited for us to finish up.</div>
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Evidence of poaching from prior years.</div>
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Rudi and Luis getting the rope prepped to haul over while Rufino get's his climbing hear ready.</div>
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Here is Rufino climbing his first wild Scarlet Macaw nest!</div>
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He took some photos in the nest and observed three eggs. Unfortunately, there were small bees nearby that didn't like his presence one bit.</div>
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The female flew off and came back later on with her mate to observe us.</div>
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The guys stayed up there for a week searching for new nests. Six nests were observed and one more climbed which had 3 eggs. One of the eggs was predated, we believe by a lizard. The boat suffered a puncture but was repaired at the end of the week. The jeep also is experiencing clutch problems, but will get repaired soon. Conservation is not without its complications that's for sure. </div>
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The crew headed back out yesterday and next week will be a nice advancement in the program. Drs. LoraKim Joyner and Isabelle Paquet-Durand will be heading out with us to provide guidance and training with monitoring the health of chicks for this season. Little by little we are advancing the Scarlet Macaw conservation program in Belize.</div>
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Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-40830437470309029152013-04-17T20:20:00.003-07:002013-04-17T20:20:54.654-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2013 Scarlet Macaw nest protection effort has kicked
off! After a delay starting out training on Mountain Pine Ridge, we headed down
to San Antonio Village to conduct climbing training. So, the Jeep clutch went out. The guys did fantastic!
Two solid days learning the ropes (literally), safety, data collection, etc. However, the crew is now ready to take the
monitoring this year to the next level.</div>
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Belarmino, Rufino, and Charles working on setting up the gear.</div>
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Rufino all geared up to climb.</div>
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Rufino on the rope.</div>
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And up he goes.</div>
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Good times...</div>
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Luis heading up the rope.</div>
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Belars getting comfortable on the rope.</div>
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Going over the datasheets/</div>
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Rudi heading up.</div>
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Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-47865435659897953542011-06-07T21:12:00.000-07:002012-02-07T20:26:01.658-08:00Wrapping it up<div>The final trip began early on 15-May. After picking up Eddie Tzib from Cristo Ray village and Roni Martinez from San Antonio village, we made our way to Blancaneaux Lodge to pick up gear and on down the rough and tumble road to Kinlock Camp. It's no small miracle that we avoid getting stuck each time we take that route. The tires on the Isuzu Trooper were never made for the terrain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Arriving at 10am, we were on the river by 11am and making our way up to the nest Erin and I discovered the previous week. </div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNokKXr2qbcxdqw7e9UXxnWGAEpfSlBN7ZW4UTrzlmFzTs_uVF9gBbhHZiz9nLH2tJke6CvwgwlFC7OIx8g0CBm4R-f0AODNuWcj_URTf6DSBQy8JXrbGWn0MF-DZNx7Br1fXkNSfFl_2/s400/P5160503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616319377711920226" border="0" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After cutting our way to the nest Marcial quickly scaled the tree and accessed the nest cavity. To our delight, there were 2 nestlings of approximately 40 days of age. The parents arrived back at the nest about 40 minutes later. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFg_8qoqqKaKQNZUMa9xVUlJGVBMoMsuI2oYod0r_bcy0CU0ZiyxwrOnPKrs-VbzN0F-Y8vtX_n39CA1_jdSlD2LxLZM7yyl8oa40iJrLGlDJKeNlO3x3gQmwRS7dqoZUNAW_x5-NDlYy/s1600/P5160510.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFg_8qoqqKaKQNZUMa9xVUlJGVBMoMsuI2oYod0r_bcy0CU0ZiyxwrOnPKrs-VbzN0F-Y8vtX_n39CA1_jdSlD2LxLZM7yyl8oa40iJrLGlDJKeNlO3x3gQmwRS7dqoZUNAW_x5-NDlYy/s400/P5160510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616319389967691682" border="0" /></a>The waiting game began... </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">We heard the pair all afternoon but had no luck catching the female. Before dusk, Eddie and I made our way back to camp on the other side of the river. Marcial made his way back to camp and informed us that the female entered the cavity.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3WQyXEkn-OQu8NnJrpToOH3s7iwSny38og9_VSTOuX3B1Xh6mwE4wlxfS8-aJYCKrJqha6coFxyIxDrxxUMTpy5p_hSka6IQ7K6JBaaXqkA-5ir9tx9nCG1qDSQOExFkSH93nToNBTFS/s400/P1160086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616308430421025330" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning we arose at 4am and arrived at the nest around 4:30am. Unfortunately, the line to close the trap had slack in it and did not close in time to catch her. After breakfast, we headed back to the nest to wait for her return. At around 11:30am, as I was sitting under the nest tree daydreaming I heard a 'snap' to my left. Turning my head, a jaguar was standing less than 5 meters from me! It turned its head and we locked eyes. After a long three seconds, it turned its head and vanished into the forest understory. Let's just say that I was frozen and had a serious adrenaline rush!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the end of the day we went back to camp and chilled out for the evening. Lots of catfish were swimming around after dark. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span></div>We arose the next morning and, as soon as the sky began to lighten, we caught the female.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B-zB4Onz5xIZtqPZMsPuRGiOjJwwtMZSTAkBH2boh9b5gZfr8hM6Ijw5NannGXL40ctD9RTcD6elHebYsM-8qmXEqrATzGoqSQWbbhysd1tAcNqn3k6DnICySnsImpAI3JlDfApx71Ki/s400/P1160126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616311605300824354" border="0" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By 8:40am we released the female and she flew up into a small tree. She then climbed up and within 3 minutes she flew off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We paddled down to Kinlock camp, ate lunch, and relaxed. We spent the afternoon searching the other side of the river, eventually splitting up. Eddie and I walked the old logging road to Blossom Berry Creek. While we both found macaw pairs, a nest was not located.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkByBzhR4sRtX5AHY045if8_i7AIk0r_UmvBP0bHIx0S75x2mbGhgcJ8VC40Fi1lJrAvjB55E0gt286dcMUZyreMnDtsRfPbbmtL1jZ2ZNqBx1Mq_GqV6cSQS0SQw0H2X5K8WHJoLhIxC/s1600/P1160139.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkByBzhR4sRtX5AHY045if8_i7AIk0r_UmvBP0bHIx0S75x2mbGhgcJ8VC40Fi1lJrAvjB55E0gt286dcMUZyreMnDtsRfPbbmtL1jZ2ZNqBx1Mq_GqV6cSQS0SQw0H2X5K8WHJoLhIxC/s400/P1160139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616319373614224210" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following morning we paddled back upstream in the morning. About 1km upstream, we encountered a pair flying out from a clump of Quamwood. After cutting our way to the nest, Marcial climbed up the suspected tree. All that was found was an empty nest. He stayed up there waiting for the pair to return to the area. After a couple of hours they returned...to a cavity about 150 meters away. We made our way over to the tree. Marcial quickly climbed the tree and found a 30 day old chick. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nfL3u3mDuRefoA9k_0YA2SY51_62Y-K5WyBfY8fG5bQNBMffjr7GnwPDMDtV8rp_ZQOvjmEKGqnvd6YywxWfYZBBsQMVzEUJYytUY8Le-gs_lgTPsruNQ6gevX3kv08fq2RYkyFTfDvJ/s400/P1160102b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616311604971417218" border="0" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJjFQ1vUX-BBAFdAmRcvdGYwB_ixaR-KY_BSvhlOiu7KNlJHGTEVpyao53T0vlBvWwTTh4Kb67GO-eTVvEP9TTTHSkAor3c962IuhEShBNleihzJNteekW87qgnMuiUH20zT_Vy-ljG1P/s400/P1160090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616308436414475922" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After setting up the trap, we waited until dark. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9PrVsAsMjf6G4q7iQZa77MGEI80MJnRoFFht3FL_ZoL-1ECpQIvTdYw90fd5_U-jImH5kl10UqKTj3kpYmWTM_r20LtpQa_NvMUSaNgpYOaZZlmeIt5hnAJyxgy_cCVmI6phbP27AB8/s400/P1160099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616311600100559714" border="0" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As darkness came upon us we returned to camp. The female entered the nest after dark. The following morning we were up early and succeeded in catching her as Marcial climbed the tree. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig26Z4AHVUPYxLZ03LCiLz3RiBfbtQr6p67JeohfiYmaC2s-KcYLutMsJauI55bYEG0cErJn4Iz2pR9zBfX1lJA6JKR9udn1dCLLgrQ_zWt_bVgRbnuMF3m1o5MIWTVI01SrOwV7hywsqC/s1600/P1160129.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig26Z4AHVUPYxLZ03LCiLz3RiBfbtQr6p67JeohfiYmaC2s-KcYLutMsJauI55bYEG0cErJn4Iz2pR9zBfX1lJA6JKR9udn1dCLLgrQ_zWt_bVgRbnuMF3m1o5MIWTVI01SrOwV7hywsqC/s400/P1160129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616313884302323602" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div style="text-align: left;">This macaw seemed quite large. We quickly placed the collar and leg band on her and released her. She climbed up a stalk of dumb cane before flying over to a small tree. There she stayed for 5 to 10 minutes before flying off. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig26Z4AHVUPYxLZ03LCiLz3RiBfbtQr6p67JeohfiYmaC2s-KcYLutMsJauI55bYEG0cErJn4Iz2pR9zBfX1lJA6JKR9udn1dCLLgrQ_zWt_bVgRbnuMF3m1o5MIWTVI01SrOwV7hywsqC/s1600/P1160129.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9PrVsAsMjf6G4q7iQZa77MGEI80MJnRoFFht3FL_ZoL-1ECpQIvTdYw90fd5_U-jImH5kl10UqKTj3kpYmWTM_r20LtpQa_NvMUSaNgpYOaZZlmeIt5hnAJyxgy_cCVmI6phbP27AB8/s1600/P1160099.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PAGRutgOwqj_kDQY2GZexpm84dlPwbtDkSp5LE-ybUTHEN2WNANY2AK2W8turb9Io4j5xCDQqvsUvu7s_U1NjcWjj_UN5mzaAhWemd7y_ksz756aFsX9XpgSKlb-qGWBREAbNLiKs1B9/s400/P1160130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616313893370356034" border="0" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7930aWtJ7ZOEmlaihidq0bncl3SrKpaxNAMvpJjM1PR47CM_UbpMVP3TY5No-fjg50v3KqzhRrfjEl1tzYttGk5O11AzsydNcBh689NrJn6E-2x4O_1Aq-lMmF_7ckKWCH0qLfJVIcMLZ/s1600/P1160077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7930aWtJ7ZOEmlaihidq0bncl3SrKpaxNAMvpJjM1PR47CM_UbpMVP3TY5No-fjg50v3KqzhRrfjEl1tzYttGk5O11AzsydNcBh689NrJn6E-2x4O_1Aq-lMmF_7ckKWCH0qLfJVIcMLZ/s400/P1160077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616308425366464002" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3WQyXEkn-OQu8NnJrpToOH3s7iwSny38og9_VSTOuX3B1Xh6mwE4wlxfS8-aJYCKrJqha6coFxyIxDrxxUMTpy5p_hSka6IQ7K6JBaaXqkA-5ir9tx9nCG1qDSQOExFkSH93nToNBTFS/s1600/P1160086.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3WQyXEkn-OQu8NnJrpToOH3s7iwSny38og9_VSTOuX3B1Xh6mwE4wlxfS8-aJYCKrJqha6coFxyIxDrxxUMTpy5p_hSka6IQ7K6JBaaXqkA-5ir9tx9nCG1qDSQOExFkSH93nToNBTFS/s1600/P1160086.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>Success! What a relief! I can hardly believe that we pulled this off in the window of time we had. It was all due to the skilled support of the personnel involved. Now we wait to see where they fly to...<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYijfmAfaYV3HgJhNSfYmFoBiONJy3fU6lV86gRiRuHeFSzU4M_VzbPTkG9zkvaf_fbQE18gsrxUq_y4NsZnj2m2S16eC-8ZEGEghh_Xurz1A7xt5h4avhyFLzeyqN_wix_Y-tJAgmiKXr/s1600/P1160098.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7930aWtJ7ZOEmlaihidq0bncl3SrKpaxNAMvpJjM1PR47CM_UbpMVP3TY5No-fjg50v3KqzhRrfjEl1tzYttGk5O11AzsydNcBh689NrJn6E-2x4O_1Aq-lMmF_7ckKWCH0qLfJVIcMLZ/s1600/P1160077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7930aWtJ7ZOEmlaihidq0bncl3SrKpaxNAMvpJjM1PR47CM_UbpMVP3TY5No-fjg50v3KqzhRrfjEl1tzYttGk5O11AzsydNcBh689NrJn6E-2x4O_1Aq-lMmF_7ckKWCH0qLfJVIcMLZ/s1600/P1160077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9PrVsAsMjf6G4q7iQZa77MGEI80MJnRoFFht3FL_ZoL-1ECpQIvTdYw90fd5_U-jImH5kl10UqKTj3kpYmWTM_r20LtpQa_NvMUSaNgpYOaZZlmeIt5hnAJyxgy_cCVmI6phbP27AB8/s1600/P1160099.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJk6GMBPnjFPhRIqXkVOxLYKMOy_Iw6eQEbvl9OygocGuvYpZtShw6x5YQ0jTAAu3b2pCdXYyGYbCXzlm3ABxYNpDalzS6Q8m5HD9BNZkfC3mFkMn953uG5OQP3MJU7cN_de-p07Y8UVP/s400/P1160136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616313898289041778" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><br /></div></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-89352988949113374062011-06-07T21:03:00.000-07:002012-01-11T12:42:27.695-08:00A Little Recon<div>On 11-May, Kristi, Ernesto Garcia, Erin Manzanero, and I headed out to explore the areas north of Kinlock Camp. We rented an old Isuzu Trooper to brave the road to Kinlock Camp that caused us so many problems last year. Once off the Brunton Trail area, we drove past the old spot where we got bogged down in the prior year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Several spots were absolutely terrible but passable ruts. Eventually we hit a wall of dumb cane and vines. Ernesto, Erin, and I chopped for 2.5 exhausting hours to re-open the road to the river. Hearing the sound of the river, we broke through, stumbled, and fell into the refreshing embrace of the Macal River. </div><div><br /></div><div>After this refreshing respite, I walked across the river to visit an old nest from 2010. I discovered it to now be occupied by a hive of bees. Erin and I piled into our inflatable kayaks and paddled upstream a couple of kilometers upstream to visit another nest from 2010. Unfortunately, upon arriving, we noticed that the top part of the tree had cracked off in a storm at some point the past year. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the trip back to camp, we noticed a pair flying around a Quamwood. So, we stopped and soaked in the river while watching for them.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJdH7QMK3fVQo7gdFznWg-QlCbC2SzaEeYVCZ5UaTAeFGGxioOHBlYhZlkGVzX0R_HTeD69tqxKoWpCmPWISnUgN1QN5vwt6KXYokr1oiQzfvZffKTcTobRMlHhHW-J0p0nMwtAQfcXpQ/s1600/P5110496.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJdH7QMK3fVQo7gdFznWg-QlCbC2SzaEeYVCZ5UaTAeFGGxioOHBlYhZlkGVzX0R_HTeD69tqxKoWpCmPWISnUgN1QN5vwt6KXYokr1oiQzfvZffKTcTobRMlHhHW-J0p0nMwtAQfcXpQ/s400/P5110496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615695826512287138" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oxEdSOMZG9ixOIDJPPbu-53DjWOdFZ6GjaG-0PQxW-pf-K15l-7nmurmjgT7oeQw2Cp4-m1tbBGbKIh_omHOzSu__83W7wtoSuD3r_uOGD8tFl171t6mkW6yn7JuVom9YNE3IXq0nonn/s1600/P5110493.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oxEdSOMZG9ixOIDJPPbu-53DjWOdFZ6GjaG-0PQxW-pf-K15l-7nmurmjgT7oeQw2Cp4-m1tbBGbKIh_omHOzSu__83W7wtoSuD3r_uOGD8tFl171t6mkW6yn7JuVom9YNE3IXq0nonn/s400/P5110493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615695817073959890" border="0" /></a><br />After about ten minutes later, Erin spotted the female's head sticking out of the cavity entrance.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxztDJg9P8MrU-XeqFR3TRWuD0wAzQI0NOsnELVAlDbqbtzMYv7ss4W9n65cuZWcBrMvJuMZgrHs-TOJO2KgY6fG-zl0QQsyzUOtvBXL8hBryp5LjYJo89d1pDPQtT5OZxc002EHRN2rA/s1600/P5110498.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxztDJg9P8MrU-XeqFR3TRWuD0wAzQI0NOsnELVAlDbqbtzMYv7ss4W9n65cuZWcBrMvJuMZgrHs-TOJO2KgY6fG-zl0QQsyzUOtvBXL8hBryp5LjYJo89d1pDPQtT5OZxc002EHRN2rA/s400/P5110498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615695828620954530" border="0" /></a><br />Not wanting to disturb them further, we made our way back to camp by early evening. Kristi and Ernesto had spotted another pair in the area nearby. </div><div><br /></div><div>After camping for the evening we left the following morning knowing that we had at least one other nest.<br /><br /></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-87564967135455568882011-04-26T15:54:00.001-07:002012-01-19T10:00:25.260-08:00Back in Belize<div style="text-align: left;"><span>Well, I'm FINALLY getting around to updating the blog to show last year's (2011) work. Let me start out by thanking everyone how made this possible. This was a collaborative effort with Dr. Janice Boyd of the </span><a href="http://vetmed.tamu.edu/schubot">Schubot Center</a><span>, whose work in using satellite telemetry to track macaw movements made this project possible. </span><a href="http://www.loroparque-fundacion.org/">Loro Parque Fundacion</a><span> provided the necessary funding without which this project would never have begun. </span><span style="text-align: center; ">Marcial</span><span> </span><span style="text-align: center; ">Cordova</span><span> of </span><a href="http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/latin-america/guatemala.aspx">Wildlife Conservation Society - Guatemala</a><span> provided the essential technical expertise. Mark Hagen and the </span><a href="http://www.hagen.com/hari/welcome.html">HARI (Hagen Avicultural Research Institute)</a><span> staff, especially Josee Birmingham, were essential to this project as they provided project training, advise, and equipment. </span><span style="text-align: center; ">Roni</span><span> Martinez and Eddie </span><span style="text-align: center; ">Tzib</span><span>of </span><a href="http://www.coppolaresorts.com/blancaneaux">Blancaneaux Lodge</a><span>, as well as Ernesto Garcia and Erin </span><span style="text-align: center; ">Manzanero</span><span>, provided with logistical and field support. None of this work would have been possible without the unflinching support of my wife, Kristi </span><span style="text-align: center; ">Drexler</span><span>, to whom I (and the macaws) owe much gratitude. And thanks to everyone else that helped this project be a success.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, we were back in Belize! The goal was to deploy three satellite telemetry collars on nesting females in order to gain an understanding of movement and habitat use during the later stages of nesting and post-breeding; one year in total. We picked up Marcial at the Benque border on 3-May and the next day headed to the Chiquibul, picking up Roni along the way. We were on the reservoir by 8:30am. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n541kuIYcE3K8_b5eo14k8D4Jgrdy1S6AzVAnF0ONJx8DXYt_gK5jkBqFphWtKlAvOiumFMxAMrs8q5AAr9ehh8vTFPkXy4D-oAo4VaLlP6oe2CngtyMvKgpMrhJh7Rlj2dgQEEURkE3/s400/100_7580b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615643576938396114" border="0" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 152px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">Paddling up the reservoir, we encountered a couple of Brown Pelicans near Rubber Camp and reached the Macal/Raspa confluence around 12:30pm. There were several pairs actively flying in the area. None of the nests in proximity to the confluence were active. One had broken off about halfway up the trunk. We stopped and checked out a probable nest in the vicinity but it was a broken stag and would not have been possible to use for this project, so we moved on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: center; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW3TxNsS0Q3QkOBgrRyEwYkOZo7NUB2Q0nmQ2M2cyrhODi98-bEK0thRA6dbBGTcjko8NV_vd5Jw2DxabPH3RW9AEKzjpOPIeL3ZT1rmlEJtuIU_K65FnaFE8xBEBaZ1E3A_6tXWZtJCV/s1600/P1150784.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW3TxNsS0Q3QkOBgrRyEwYkOZo7NUB2Q0nmQ2M2cyrhODi98-bEK0thRA6dbBGTcjko8NV_vd5Jw2DxabPH3RW9AEKzjpOPIeL3ZT1rmlEJtuIU_K65FnaFE8xBEBaZ1E3A_6tXWZtJCV/s400/P1150784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615687325325981490" border="0" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><div>As we approached the Francelia trail area, we encountered three probable guaceros (parrot poachers) who disappeared into the jungle on the north side of the reservoir as we approached. Not a good sign. </div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s400/IMG_0003.2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615646677349763042" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><div style="text-align: left; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW3TxNsS0Q3QkOBgrRyEwYkOZo7NUB2Q0nmQ2M2cyrhODi98-bEK0thRA6dbBGTcjko8NV_vd5Jw2DxabPH3RW9AEKzjpOPIeL3ZT1rmlEJtuIU_K65FnaFE8xBEBaZ1E3A_6tXWZtJCV/s1600/P1150784.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW3TxNsS0Q3QkOBgrRyEwYkOZo7NUB2Q0nmQ2M2cyrhODi98-bEK0thRA6dbBGTcjko8NV_vd5Jw2DxabPH3RW9AEKzjpOPIeL3ZT1rmlEJtuIU_K65FnaFE8xBEBaZ1E3A_6tXWZtJCV/s1600/P1150784.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">A bit further upstream, we stopped to check on a historic nest and found it scarred from the poaching event from the previous year. Quite sad. But, with the macaw activity in the area, we decided to make camp here and attempt to locate an active nest in the area. The chances seemed good. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following morning we split up. Roni and I walked downstream along the shore and then cut into the jungle, attempting to locate the trail and a nest tree from the previous year. We were unsuccessful with this. But we did have a startling, and sad finding...a dead macaw, obviously shot and left to decay. How old was this bird? Was it raising a chick? It was a somber moment. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wDlv9n_kbWeJOiQD1z8tmcVyg75J6szioeAo6fiQhmk6XR3EjmIf-7mQkZKhZh3Mnd06vXRBP7IHjp7g6GtDCGBEcB4HGP5R0zB2uvcn8AqNQbN7vhS9ucXr2a3mYDRm0b6kAas7PgkY/s400/100_7644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615643579565467122" border="0" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><br /></div></div>We returned to camp...malo suerte. We loaded up and continued upstream to a major creek flowing into the Macal River. </div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s400/P1150655b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615687311652297730" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></div></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5PUz_RNmHYvq-zusfeN5hmmLqBodqAnpIG49YDgGkSw27izmEgE3mW_KMKC8phuUE-qGVzHAY958OJTHO4dDhc_e_7t4_-Ok7x19cymHupKW-1iLhJ5I_UiBc4gwbUmV8JzHpuI2PM1X/s400/IMG_9740b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615652026982212802" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Reaching the confluence, I glassed the old nest tree from a distance to find that familiar red head poking out of the cavity entrance. YES! We pulled our kayaks out of the water and made our way over there with the climbing gear and net. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbSfYSudyl56F9r3sIv4Q5XeELNgf_4v0YMTu8WzlLPKPVnRM0IgfxrZezwZU_pY_bgem8uZZ001Pe7tp7YdksQ-eK3QuAhWoPHNutetvD8KjvoKCI9TwNr6NseOnlLGhizHH42JCpJEq/s400/IMG_9584c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615646683611015938" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Marcial climbed up the tree and verified that a chick was present and old enough to allow us to continue. If they are too young then causing the female to spend too much time away from the nest could be fatal to the nestling. We then helped him set of the trap. After testing the trap and having everything set up, Marcial descended and we hid ourselves below the understory canopy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JXpvVFXESiCCoAzFyd56QMHTy_x7DpGRGUv-9kup5vNEzK2Loda872m469i1hKsDbdSUVo0OnJac1XM9rrAsBhQk7oab1xGLpuh77yeZyxt2MiPXjKu9pj-jfA4BFoDTKqWKxZslV2ir/s400/IMG_9598b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615646689932843186" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gODuBbhjFe5_OVW7fAcVVG2ETBZA8O34ZaiTPzZbGS7tSvFxI6hQj3l3MI6TZkGtVitqvDg6QtOkvJ5Z61hWkuRlCBemUgREirlpgOeQJqfXodv-GKrbGyBj4ZkH4vTnGDzc_9OK3rQa/s400/IMG_9696b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615652016233997042" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwl9n8x2ycmPVLbrMRlgSSJzx16SqfRtpiPVLduZ2YcNJs3jtII1RhaI4GAAuGqZrt2XLTP_3lbsVyDuamY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Playing the waiting game sounds easy, right? Well, try that with no distractions, no view, being absolutely quiet and still...and picking an amazing number of ticks of your pants, shirt...and your person. Not fun! As darkness approached, it was apparent that the female was EXTREMELY wary of the net, refusing to enter the cavity and standing to the side of the nest, eyeing the net with grave suspicion. </span>Marcial<span> ascended the tree, removing the net, to allow the female to enter the cavity for the night. We then made our way back to camp, set up, and proceeded to have dinner before retiring to our hammocks.</span> </div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYn-SV8PgNC94a6-BazVuovq4Vysqscj8ZISB4lCVm-je3852DsjxYsU39Q257um9dpAACgFiDPqlBvJMDeQijznnjR5_sqOneblsPQdCmMzhfUulPemHD16BpoFSQxY51Q4CmJNLVk50/s400/IMG_9689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615646694387546434" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The following morning we returned to the nest and set up the trap again. All day we waited. And all day the pair flew around squawking and chattering...obviously upset. The female would land on the side of the nest and peer over at the net, and fly off. This happened repeatedly. As you can see, this time I armed myself with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Light-Travels-Afghanistan/dp/0312288468">book</a>. After a full day of sitting, Roni and I retreated to begin dinner while Marcial continued the vigil. </div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMqdsSYErZe6ysJKdPlTgMB5A5UMYBgYJ6lMhCvJU4nIektqkXwCH4eCJXGehtBiEBTbJGyCG4CzwbVkqBJhvbC8YjCk8rAZTLSMk5DJCASbghEdfkeACjqtNAnZZgIPDxX0I-I4ig4dZ/s400/P1150755.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696427144451286834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div>After darkness had descended, Marcial appeared in camp, informing us that the female had entered the nest! With giddy anticipation we ate dinner and retired for the night. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa0f7K_c3mWNkIZhWU9Icl_I2Zqd3gAEDRVkWFilqKMJ7Wfy5ztGicTncbNBFroJd_VKRfiCm4rgUm8peHDrsa5rITNEfK7yVHq-Zmzsfy3DUTOevkZ5L-VnlY-oS19yPlXTjcaVcluS3/s1600/IMG_9900b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s400/IMG_9805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615652028520481362" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Before sunrise, we made our stealthy approach to the base of the tree, cringing at any noise made as we snaked our way through the understory. We set ourselves up, observing the nest. Then Marcial gave the signal and Roni pulled the trap closed. As the female leaped out of the cavity and into the stretched out net, we closed it behind her and lowered the net. Marcial quickly ascended the tree, placing her and the net into a bag and down they came. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE2qm88DECWWHiorA7LiuD1vlf9ryETJZobrDIFtVAphfiZwKrLt-xMelTnGzjvFGJXBDjVRxXJNlPl-JBERRyV_6RB6Jj1jQ1gE50g8qMYi0fVc5MYffIEgVzG4ZxG0n8V5aYmUIfZH0/s400/IMG_9817b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696427641151102274" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 126px; " /></a></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi94TbBtI9oVVEtvT5donA7f6SdLsNL4rOmtzbovg-KjGwF2hK3Y_K7YNaZmjbjhH9hjHs-N2jRIKFQHl9PNqyQdtIlgAOBd71EeRtJUFNJ3aIWBApYgcCJw-dIcVdW4023eZzAnySH-2/s1600/P1150655b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "></div></div><div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicszyWidZA6qZEHFkElnxFZiQ3pNO-mMhyphenhyphenhqNS_d_aMAgxMIcrjCn1120Wc80Y7M8yJS21TF3dkgdYhLM1nolp67dYhTtnbalvHXobZ8W5-OuJXKlJ3PLUYX2-nnynyp3sNqgkn0Q5UOvK/s1600/IMG_9805.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center; ">We quickly extracted her from the net and worked on installing the first collar on her. After finishing this we placed a leg band and then took her out to an open area for release. We first placed her on a small shrub and she flew unsuccessfully, landing down on the ground. She eventually made her way up into another small shrub and hung out there for awhile until her mate began calling to her from a nearby tree. After ten minutes, she finally took off, flying past us and up into the trees. </span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa0f7K_c3mWNkIZhWU9Icl_I2Zqd3gAEDRVkWFilqKMJ7Wfy5ztGicTncbNBFroJd_VKRfiCm4rgUm8peHDrsa5rITNEfK7yVHq-Zmzsfy3DUTOevkZ5L-VnlY-oS19yPlXTjcaVcluS3/s1600/IMG_9900b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa0f7K_c3mWNkIZhWU9Icl_I2Zqd3gAEDRVkWFilqKMJ7Wfy5ztGicTncbNBFroJd_VKRfiCm4rgUm8peHDrsa5rITNEfK7yVHq-Zmzsfy3DUTOevkZ5L-VnlY-oS19yPlXTjcaVcluS3/s400/IMG_9900b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615685432652434690" border="0" /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center; "><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwyV2MJWznfan5d8Jd78YAGb07beSSWuiwRN-szhwrHABtyPO-4WJCc6r_QQUYw7vBehsRpYO7VQtuzGo5EhQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa0f7K_c3mWNkIZhWU9Icl_I2Zqd3gAEDRVkWFilqKMJ7Wfy5ztGicTncbNBFroJd_VKRfiCm4rgUm8peHDrsa5rITNEfK7yVHq-Zmzsfy3DUTOevkZ5L-VnlY-oS19yPlXTjcaVcluS3/s1600/IMG_9900b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa0f7K_c3mWNkIZhWU9Icl_I2Zqd3gAEDRVkWFilqKMJ7Wfy5ztGicTncbNBFroJd_VKRfiCm4rgUm8peHDrsa5rITNEfK7yVHq-Zmzsfy3DUTOevkZ5L-VnlY-oS19yPlXTjcaVcluS3/s1600/IMG_9900b.jpg" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div></div>What a sight! And what a relief. The first collar deployment was a success. Whew! On to the next.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEs_zbTulW2SHWc_leNgXRU4bf5PfjKhvz_H-RfbBVYEPIp3Wor0T9r2pTqxPeuedmNF4VsYzFJ5oikCQa03rdlUG7w4nZSSevZQaHN2rVP8NusYvm5ZM0VAuZZ34mWYdgNAyjrd48jqT/s400/100_7655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615643597469168002" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">We made our way back to the confluence to head up the Raspa, where there was a good chance that we would encounter a couple of active nests. And indeed there were. Unfortunately, one of them was in an old, dead Ceiba snag. Climbing that was out of the question, so we searched around there unsuccessfully for another nest. We then made our way towards Kodd's camp. Along the way we found an active nest that was mentioned on a tour operator's blog. It was still active, which was amazing since it was near a very busy xatero trail. </div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K6p1zAEvh663ynkkKViqWg-uQX8Sk2EXs5mbg9f6d2KPeSypiM5T53Uenu-KPCUuamUUVNmStHzu_V333q5XDqprajPLDq5bIYokpkK6b8WHBuhf-zFg7MrkdGCFVsKgC3c8031u63nL/s400/IMG_9957c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696428284077149506" style="text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px; " /><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUO3ENnRMvXQWuZ_fr-18kHCfRRhDBahjTGzcOxYF7bctNYMvnt5moT8nQpxyGno5p0Y3VE5b8pqzgU60gq1ImEE0XZhAeFlO9Asv8tr3XwnVHqeEZ37_ew_bdHS_-ryH07S3psvJP702/s1600/IMG_9957c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center; ">Marcial and I made our way up there and he eventually climbed up. The nest had a chick! But it was very young, maybe a day or two old. So, we pulled out of there. It was getting late and we needed to set up camp. The best spot was across the river and downstream a bit. But it was a terrible location, obviously by a major trail and a well used location. I guess we were tired enough to not care. So we set up our hammocks. I got bit by a harvester ant soldier. OUCH! Had to move my hammock. As we were having dinner, a gunshot rang out from upstream. We tensed. Someone was hunting up there. Later on a second shot was fired. This was not good. That is where we needed to go! </span></div></div><div><div><span style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX0mRt9S3I5hB5iX64Bx9-nazYFlR6lSvlvzk5PhI1C7wsTIwvqZvDZ8ZyEGoDyoj3bzmT28FwRJ8i-uHY_k6SXKor0hRod8rqyRpGJxuxBs1_QPD1wDq9PcEtNquoScbT3uMEcZE6YM0/s400/P1150821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615687333237211634" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div></div></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUO3ENnRMvXQWuZ_fr-18kHCfRRhDBahjTGzcOxYF7bctNYMvnt5moT8nQpxyGno5p0Y3VE5b8pqzgU60gq1ImEE0XZhAeFlO9Asv8tr3XwnVHqeEZ37_ew_bdHS_-ryH07S3psvJP702/s1600/IMG_9957c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUO3ENnRMvXQWuZ_fr-18kHCfRRhDBahjTGzcOxYF7bctNYMvnt5moT8nQpxyGno5p0Y3VE5b8pqzgU60gq1ImEE0XZhAeFlO9Asv8tr3XwnVHqeEZ37_ew_bdHS_-ryH07S3psvJP702/s1600/IMG_9957c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning we packed up and cautiously made our way upstream. Roni spotted a smoldering campfire on the bank. As we stopped, we could hear muffled Spanish back into the forest where we knew a historically occupied nest was located. We then heard a pair of macaws screaming. The nest was being poached! And we could do nothing about it. With anger...and sadness, we had to retreat. These nests along the reservoir are so vulnerable. In fact, Friends for Conservation and Development found that 89% of nests located along the reservoir were poached in 2011! 89%!!!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEs_zbTulW2SHWc_leNgXRU4bf5PfjKhvz_H-RfbBVYEPIp3Wor0T9r2pTqxPeuedmNF4VsYzFJ5oikCQa03rdlUG7w4nZSSevZQaHN2rVP8NusYvm5ZM0VAuZZ34mWYdgNAyjrd48jqT/s1600/100_7655.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5jfcy6ULseb3NeBpON4Ab_ynYSg6mk6-KhhHN6RAaMIj9WWxQdFQ_yiT-9wQWrgkPCw92XmQhbCr2mRkz545nCl-y-6NyWFY5cLgB0YBY5ipwkOFpqG-cqP1cm6tJjkjMi-7zFSi_4tO/s400/P1150824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615637385238895122" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div>After a long paddle back to the Ballerina Rd put in, Kristi was there to pick us up and haul us back to town. It was great to have one collared, but we needed two more and where were we going to find these? The area up the Raspa seemed hot with illegal activity. I needed to think about this.</div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnu6kXdy8iMVLV1azaqvGXKUvfpTUvTa1PL5wQU-IrOkrz0r_MX58kRsFA1SlsrnK-W5cHeqVd7z9rEtMYyLWrQSnE9J9DbDFdlr4fYnrUTIPBG0WlOayLu2BhxN3mAiLDWLBatJsH7XD/s400/P1150823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615687337480705090" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6MM83Q2haBE9sksbh9e7D5G3Qjo-ToXfdgdPT6LP3hoqGCKzwhJGzsKbFDUvRANANiYWnNqiqhZRTjdXsGHiUMf5vh0ERGGVmdaACxaCWCKV3IORF5MxRx-mXwAatStZiM876yijcpr/s1600/IMG_0003.2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div></div><div>We agreed that I would conduct a reconnaissance trip while Marcial was working back in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (Guatemala) and then we would come back out to the Chiquibul after more nests were discovered. Let's just say that there was some concern.</div></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-88697352991594234582010-07-24T16:52:00.000-07:002012-01-11T07:29:41.021-08:00Mosquito hell at La Corona<div>This is well overdue and will just be photos, but this was from the final field visit to the Maya Biosphere Reserve in 2010. The final days of field work. Thanks to all of my friends at Wildlife Conservation Society for their help and for their efforts at protecting the amazing species in that region.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXh0jnwc7yTht-mkM3x1wJJr5BM1uhDXv78ogqzS96nonYTqHJ7Y4vKIXFKzeguqZgMiE8fbOeBw07Gwg66GTMQaciZ5awW2mkNWDpmOzRwXZDzA9L2XGar6O7dnwiCNIEXBEeLAZrny2/s1600/P1010577b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXh0jnwc7yTht-mkM3x1wJJr5BM1uhDXv78ogqzS96nonYTqHJ7Y4vKIXFKzeguqZgMiE8fbOeBw07Gwg66GTMQaciZ5awW2mkNWDpmOzRwXZDzA9L2XGar6O7dnwiCNIEXBEeLAZrny2/s400/P1010577b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497636388783138786" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehsYaz-Z6VTFlSZWE7iRi8ykLmUfdzTLtoqxlX7HtHtxot7dKcynC4gmxYQOV1miEXKeoJ7Y_5jwj07LlGhKiA9K1SjtDvB6WSOYbEExMtoiVS6XnnMvOuZkU0LVwKqoJY576yX1hzeMp/s1600/P1010586b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKcEfMVtsvObflXbrb2G6QUHm2r_FABzOcQlybVIODzRWEUwfLO0fh5n2vs75SpRkCdrrC_zYQGUFIFRaHFlZVIa22isO3lUXVeix3NmFq9s3Ng4lvGXpDSvNvIKMQ1f4Hhwqu9y4_NJh/s400/P1010713b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497638624516048994" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH-38jJYAe0ym6F6MlfIDbwxU1Vt_YaJt32oKjzjs9sqv44l40pbl9zDCsEQMIl76o_nd0PDWpfbuAsK3sGuKWvf534VArLHOOtpHq9p0E3Tg7Weeqk_RvQtKcyRTGrloc94_0flK3L_i/s1600/P8220086b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH-38jJYAe0ym6F6MlfIDbwxU1Vt_YaJt32oKjzjs9sqv44l40pbl9zDCsEQMIl76o_nd0PDWpfbuAsK3sGuKWvf534VArLHOOtpHq9p0E3Tg7Weeqk_RvQtKcyRTGrloc94_0flK3L_i/s400/P8220086b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497635150320193058" border="0" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjyPTRjo98t_pw0pIu1_Nd0yVxVqFVL9gBpATKuT510LloUsGNArrFcNNGh3018LMst9SPHk7yRiIPkSg8QQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-30763693688538120102010-07-24T16:47:00.000-07:002012-01-11T07:27:01.241-08:00Back to Guatemala: Good friends and lots of mud<div style="text-align: left;">On the 13th of July, Brad and I headed back to Guatemala begin the last stretch of field work. We arrived in Flores in the afternoon and strolled around in the cool of the evening.<br /><br />We awoke the next morning and readied ourselves for a trip to El Burral, an important area for nesting macaws in the Parque Nacional Laguna del Tigre. The plan was to leave at 8am so at seven Brad and I loaded up and we going to cruise over to a breakfast joint on the opposite side of the island near the Wildlife Conservation Society office. Got into the car, put in the key and...nothing. Engine turned but no spark. Great! We were going to drive this out to Paso Caballo, a mayan village just inside the park.<br /><br />We went ahead and ate breakfast and then met up with Pancho at the office when eight o'clock rolled around. Thus we began the two hour process of getting various mechanics to check it out. Finally, a guy with a scanner was going to swing by and read the computer. We waited and waited. Finally had one of the fellas from the office tow us to the mechanic. Got there and it fired up immediately...what a waste of time. Something loose but who knows what or where.<br /><br />Lunch, groceries, beer and off we went...<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoBJfJSIW6lm48Lyxgk7dE2Po4E-PsXxH5prLl_8TPyVhlR-ovXbXeNsjzZLFqV_gr6rJ_4YpT7er0pxbzRM5UMOy3WjRObPU98b_hTEOkRXLn2yTVtSwoARdWCsAFyqjfnnNbH67IG_K/s1600/P1010457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoBJfJSIW6lm48Lyxgk7dE2Po4E-PsXxH5prLl_8TPyVhlR-ovXbXeNsjzZLFqV_gr6rJ_4YpT7er0pxbzRM5UMOy3WjRObPU98b_hTEOkRXLn2yTVtSwoARdWCsAFyqjfnnNbH67IG_K/s400/P1010457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497625303162912274" border="0" /></a><br />We reached Paso Caballo by mid-afternoon and transferred all of the gear into a nice, older Toyota Hilux (like a Tacoma) with really nice clearance. 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPnbtWe_WbfTbfx48Aq8g4dIt-AEEmX2btX2KUXf4sNsu79Gpv6MckQ-lvrXHtSn_CPjttd_0TknlPUf3tuBMNUfUKG71_Q8BkLg8MRCnMFXd0niHrC_G_ZzefLCfLebQijDw313uz0Po/s400/P1010574b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497628425948464834" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxPqjGIKguMDMwwQxcfxpYOJbZbIgjBE2NbB40Xde_yv5yz0LlVE2GVCp9807JBRz8X1A811KL-gDaMZqb__w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwbNA_AE8A_Pjp1UBn0SEga-UgvfstELBV9m-LqyD4B9wgsGvt2PgGoDGdp0f20LS_w5sfL_soB_cmM0NeS' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-15713728715162483042010-07-12T11:47:00.000-07:002010-07-12T17:47:51.745-07:00Last trip in Belize, now back to Guate...Brad and I headed back to the Chiquibul one last time. This past Friday, we loaded up early in the morning and headed out for two days of work on the reservoir. We started out by heading across the reservoir, opposite of the put-in at Ballerina Rd, to check on an apparent macaw nest. This was the smallest cavity nest that we had observed.<br /><br />We paddled over there and I quickly scaled the tree and could hear the hissing of a chick. A foul odor wafted from the nest. The lighting is terrible and I cannot get a camera in there to take a photograph. Hmmm. However, I was able to enough of the chick to instantly recognize that this was NOT a macaw chick. It had developed enough in the past two weeks to obviously be a raptor...and then a bat falcon flew in and perched nearby. Okay, I get it. Last time, two macaws were perched nearby but this was just out of curiosity.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzK4-xsOl2eBgZPbFv6pKd2pil8loOCkjq9drPuvga5DSOx33hko8luiDafwjv1oRckSy7QsVCg2HSqN-bo6w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Nest cam on the reservoir.</span><br /></div><br />I climbed down and we headed up the reservoir to get some real work done. One and a half hours later, we were up at the Macal/Raspaculo confluence and made our way over to the nest where <a href="http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/2010/05/trip-up-reservoir.html">the macaw had been shot.</a> We had yet to be able to get an idea of the cavity structure of this nest. With the reservoir almost full, the tree was halfway submerged and we were able to use an extension pole with a homemade PVC camera rig to retrieve our temperature logger and take a video of the nest interior. And it worked! Finally!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N7EDLq2Hu8XrEYLAenX_XTRj1RHGKCR3VDQxSwibWuqn1Z9gIZFN0A-BsZcvmJFPjTmk6p-uFdbdQNlA2C283701OVS5HPO-kvXQW2IXqsp1kEPt_h_lDz0VFbVD8H0v12fD4Ox2k0Xg/s1600/P7090004b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N7EDLq2Hu8XrEYLAenX_XTRj1RHGKCR3VDQxSwibWuqn1Z9gIZFN0A-BsZcvmJFPjTmk6p-uFdbdQNlA2C283701OVS5HPO-kvXQW2IXqsp1kEPt_h_lDz0VFbVD8H0v12fD4Ox2k0Xg/s400/P7090004b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493181141774906914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad beneath one of the unclimbable, dead nest trees.<br /></span></div><br />We then headed up to the next nest, quickly collected habitat data, and moved up to the poached nest at Francelia Line. We reached the nest and set the rope up. Brad was just about to climb the nest when I heard a loud 'whoop'. "What was that," I thought to myself. Brad was in the process of putting the climbing gear on, so I grabbed his machete and went back down to the kayaks. I scanned the reservoir and then spotted three guys standing on the opposite bank, about 200m downstream...xateros. Okay, it'll take them a bit to cross so no real worries, but were they communicating with someone on our side of the reservoir? That was my concern. I never heard a reply.<br /><br />Since no threat was imminent, Brad quickly scaled the tree to retrieve the temperature dataloggers while I maintained a vigil watch on our friends across the water. So I watched them watch me. Soon Brad was coming down and needed assistance maneuvering around some vines. I helped move him around them and then returned to my position...they were gone.<br /><br />We were soon back in out kayaks and heading back downstream. We rested about 400m downstream for a quick lunch in the middle of the reservoir and then made our way to the confluence.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LSOZVrdb8mymCwRy0M53JPHS8JE6XU2zouCxgYNgKjHuonlGQ8mRczFH6tZ2a66TDDZlb6nf9WblsoPHzmCBpyM7g2ao4YcBY6mYIMPdoz7HV82ECB-ZENNtWtXy2A2QtyRaIk4kpzdY/s1600/P7090025b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LSOZVrdb8mymCwRy0M53JPHS8JE6XU2zouCxgYNgKjHuonlGQ8mRczFH6tZ2a66TDDZlb6nf9WblsoPHzmCBpyM7g2ao4YcBY6mYIMPdoz7HV82ECB-ZENNtWtXy2A2QtyRaIk4kpzdY/s400/P7090025b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493181121712520594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">One of the never-used artificial nest boxes installed as part of the Chalillo dam<br />environmental mitigation.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was time to switch gears and begin visiting artificial nest sites for habitat comparison. At the confluence were two of these. We measured the first one near the water's edge and then penetrated the forest to access the second one. Upon arriving, we were shocked to stumble into the recent remains of a xatero camp. It would be our luck to have another close encounter.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEHrI7-YcqtDRNMUipcQMdthm2aSHJFwVHScpDHTb5WOXzLkUabMCOW3PzJjdkrB4jx2Nh72-9ebUzezWYFZMBd8HWSy1sJj8RInUs-6JskB_7D3vr3dQTkJxU98uySQocs-maNHl_CXb/s1600/P7090018b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEHrI7-YcqtDRNMUipcQMdthm2aSHJFwVHScpDHTb5WOXzLkUabMCOW3PzJjdkrB4jx2Nh72-9ebUzezWYFZMBd8HWSy1sJj8RInUs-6JskB_7D3vr3dQTkJxU98uySQocs-maNHl_CXb/s400/P7090018b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493181128721382498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Abandoned xatero camp at the Macal River/Raspaculo Branch confluence.<br /></span></div><br />We then headed up past the spring and up to a second set of artificial nests. Once again, xatero camps and trails...these guys own this place! It was getting late so we needed to head back down to the spring in order to camp for the night.<br /><br />As we approached the last bend before the spring, Brad saw and heard splashing...Tapir? Nope...four xateros bathing in the reservoir. They saw us and bolted; four naked Guatemalans running for the safety of the forest from us, the big, bad gringos. It was kinda funny until we had to change our camping arrangements. Instead of relaxing for the evening, we now had to continue paddling all the way back to the confluence and beyond to camp on the Pine Ridge side of the reservoir.<br /><br />We were set up at dark and relaxed for dinner.<br /><br />It rained for much of the night and I arose early to get coffee going. We were on the reservoir by 6:30am and heading back to the confluence. We went back up the Raspaculo Branch in search of artificial nest boxes. We spent the morning and early afternoon bushwhacking our way around the edges of the river and by noon were heading back downstream.<br /><br />As we paddled downstream, dark, ominous clouds pushed in from the south, sounding out loud claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. Close and closer, they finally reached us and a wall of rain passed over...cold, giant drops pounded us. We fought through it and by the time we reached the main part of the reservoir it finally began to lighten up. It was good timing because we were reaching the last of the artificial nests.<br /><br />We quickly took habitat measurements, in pain now as my feet were now beginning to deteriorate with the hellish river rot that we cannot seem to escape from, regardless of the type of footwear and rigorous nightly cleaning. It's just painful.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXA3f4RUuInCQBjFc_kaoXQC2EnzvheqaXLAXHCJN-nMyVmoBiOCzvk8vT4RPbeBuP9EbSq-8gUeWhwF6leL5V2hd7pxv7CuMwQcA1UEaxf_iXVuKyD4ZuX79gO4GLaTrUSoa-F3ptdx8/s1600/P7100097b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXA3f4RUuInCQBjFc_kaoXQC2EnzvheqaXLAXHCJN-nMyVmoBiOCzvk8vT4RPbeBuP9EbSq-8gUeWhwF6leL5V2hd7pxv7CuMwQcA1UEaxf_iXVuKyD4ZuX79gO4GLaTrUSoa-F3ptdx8/s400/P7100097b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493181115723019858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The last kayak bilging for Brad.<br /><br /></span></div>We made our way to the Ballerina Rd take-out, reflecting on this project and the unreal nature of it and the fact that we had completed out season in the Chiquibul. Words really cannot describe this experience.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">It was the most amazing place I have worked...it gave to me and it took away...I walk away a changed person.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zgro4A9mLF4fpePLgwRLMd2YKN9Lh8X9Vu6XHJUmyJJAX0gwJxKDtjd_1uHOrJQH7i6CDEaDKmmIhxB0HRelgB8qarX_ka2NzzBn22GAsDF9CQ3srjC8oleYqE9orgdHrHyU7NwNHMHE/s1600/P7100103b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zgro4A9mLF4fpePLgwRLMd2YKN9Lh8X9Vu6XHJUmyJJAX0gwJxKDtjd_1uHOrJQH7i6CDEaDKmmIhxB0HRelgB8qarX_ka2NzzBn22GAsDF9CQ3srjC8oleYqE9orgdHrHyU7NwNHMHE/s400/P7100103b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493181109196736706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Our fond farewell to the reservoir...one hell of a ride.<br /></span></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-16313413659743985112010-07-07T10:54:00.000-07:002010-07-08T16:59:49.619-07:00One last trip to Cushtabani...bittersweet<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">This past week, the weather cleared up, and we headed back out for our final trip to Cushtabani on the Raspaculo Branch.<span style=""> </span>On the 1<sup>st</sup> of July, we began the day in search of a new oxygen sensor for the Jeep.<span style=""> </span>I finally had to settle pulling one off a junked jeep and installing it.<span style=""> </span>Guess the best way to test it is to head out to the field.<span style=""> </span>We reached the Ballerina Rd put-in around 11am and were amazed at how much the reservoir had filled up from tropical depression Alex!<span style=""> </span></p>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqQ4_kdVJTmCx4q9uVT1xqpz26fRJiOKEHs-_0UKDRgLy2Qy8G-Qy8wUrjtuk4fPg4b1H0TalUbXi7Ng9fJuaubvIbZD92ZevM-sLaeolX7WOyTfA3mRtbwgsj7QJXcds7iRc0ecxe5C-/s1600/P1010319b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqQ4_kdVJTmCx4q9uVT1xqpz26fRJiOKEHs-_0UKDRgLy2Qy8G-Qy8wUrjtuk4fPg4b1H0TalUbXi7Ng9fJuaubvIbZD92ZevM-sLaeolX7WOyTfA3mRtbwgsj7QJXcds7iRc0ecxe5C-/s400/P1010319b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491230645949686658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ernesto and me at the Ballerina Rd put-in. The reservoir it much more full following
<br />Tropical Depression Alex (photo courtesy of Brad).
<br /></span></div>
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >We put in and began the furious paddle up the reservoir.<span style=""> </span>Of course the wind was against us, as it generally seems to be.<span style=""> </span>Along the way, we paused to observe the status of 4 nests on the Raspaculo.<span style=""> </span>Only one appeared to be active.<span style=""> </span>There seemed to b an uptick in the abundance of macaw pairs moving around and perching in the area.<span style=""> </span>Leks of Pieridae butterflies were all over, sitting on log flotillas, and exploding into a swirl of yellow, green, and white which also shimmered in reflections upon the water…just magical. <span style=""> </span>
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<br /><!--[endif]--></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1pUHAPS5UPBekjEbz9r0iX5PeujTEDDGkigi74xaIYUTGZLLgUPHqlFwTHny4IREL79PQWbUgfAQ0vVtCYvwvdQUbC-K5R1vrS7viU2Z5AiQX7lELuevaASqbY-OlPXYl-1r0ms4Oj1A/s1600/P1010324b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1pUHAPS5UPBekjEbz9r0iX5PeujTEDDGkigi74xaIYUTGZLLgUPHqlFwTHny4IREL79PQWbUgfAQ0vVtCYvwvdQUbC-K5R1vrS7viU2Z5AiQX7lELuevaASqbY-OlPXYl-1r0ms4Oj1A/s400/P1010324b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491230636301573730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">On the reservoir again...
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkQPrMpAV9kBoD0U8xBgi8ZXcfZP_vsNibNJnz8EW1XF2oVR1Nnmff5bz82O_xGbxnPWPkA2ORJpfbeP6kOALeO5ZNV52_dfWlbmJbtBgC6SKY32mmwk77OB4hQHYADzbZAdbsBFaGXEv/s1600/P1010357b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkQPrMpAV9kBoD0U8xBgi8ZXcfZP_vsNibNJnz8EW1XF2oVR1Nnmff5bz82O_xGbxnPWPkA2ORJpfbeP6kOALeO5ZNV52_dfWlbmJbtBgC6SKY32mmwk77OB4hQHYADzbZAdbsBFaGXEv/s400/P1010357b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491230627292989586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Drinking from the 'tap'.
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mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We reached the confluence with Monkeytail Branch, and, to our shock, we could see how high the water level had reached the week before as a result of tropical depression Alex.<span style=""> </span>The water level had reached about 6 or so feet above the current level, bending the vegetation over and depositing debris all over the place.<span style=""> </span>Glad we had outrun that!<span style=""> </span>It was late and we were exhausted, so after a quick meal we rapidly found our hammocks and were asleep by a quarter after eight.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >The following morning, we arose after 10 hours of sleep and hit the river after breakfast.<span style=""> </span>Not long after beginning, we stopped at a nest where a temperature logger had failed.<span style=""> </span>Here we installed a new logger to record temperature for a couple of days while we continued upriver.</span>
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNxLhw0CgAwli70VDWhpdTvwbJm3LORl-abS32Oscb2rHX02PwHbiRYTui0OMHpr8Zi-8gZXhJlaqjcvnF1gLwcoZaOFn2AspIeJu_n_ZrP1CrNBGmyowwRvsWFyAsyDVj0hln3HFbpi-/s1600/P1010359b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNxLhw0CgAwli70VDWhpdTvwbJm3LORl-abS32Oscb2rHX02PwHbiRYTui0OMHpr8Zi-8gZXhJlaqjcvnF1gLwcoZaOFn2AspIeJu_n_ZrP1CrNBGmyowwRvsWFyAsyDVj0hln3HFbpi-/s400/P1010359b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491229941498247682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am paddling back up the Raspaculo Branch.
<br /></span></div>
<br />We pushed really hard, all day, only pausing briefly for lunch.<span style=""> </span>Along the way, we encountered more swirls of butterflies, a couple of tapirs and several nice-sized crocodiles.<span style=""> </span>One of the tapirs slowly ambled past us and headed downstream, walking along the river bottom and coming up for air from time to time.<span style=""> </span>We observed several pairs of macaws around a large tributary coming in from the south. <span style=""> </span>Around mid-afternoon, the clouds began to darken and rumble…oh man.<span style=""> </span>I began to get nervous as the rain came down.<span style=""> </span>Now we were way up here and committed.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t a downpour so we would not be deterred from our goal.<span style=""> </span>The rain ceased after ten minutes and I was now very confident that we would reach our goal.
<br />
<br /><span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We had to pull our kayaks over a few strong currents and waterfalls.<span style=""> </span>I really did a number on my ankles while traversing one set of rapids; my curses of pain getting drowned out by the roar of the water.<span style=""> </span>By 4pm we were reaching the final few bends in the river.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >It was amazing that we made it all the way up to Cushtabani.<span style=""> </span>We still had a little time for work.<span style=""> </span></span>
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuITO_Q3yDnDlcT6MoUxORxKh1Cfde6m9Rs9J9ZlhIXDKoplTbNtg_K6SFBuy8kCJa6un5eVxuD4knyE37fsfiwR6Kl4o7WkRUwBRzV5ZG2gLzfM_I1VyTcFzsO6FyzMobRlLz8Tt5Q_O/s1600/P1010377b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuITO_Q3yDnDlcT6MoUxORxKh1Cfde6m9Rs9J9ZlhIXDKoplTbNtg_K6SFBuy8kCJa6un5eVxuD4knyE37fsfiwR6Kl4o7WkRUwBRzV5ZG2gLzfM_I1VyTcFzsO6FyzMobRlLz8Tt5Q_O/s400/P1010377b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491229933129917778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad up at a nest near Cushtabani.
<br /></span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q0ppf_WpLw29eTKZYMETE_qf-HDjPMfUXD6HKQG8Y38Edg1w9pGlVzoiA818cN2gUv_q1hyphenhyphenZskHYP7rN9udnCLB73MS9LQ_6PPfEA-PTokvIu0FPxHMoxYOZCVdbijojCsi0lFRrzd_F/s1600/P1010370b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q0ppf_WpLw29eTKZYMETE_qf-HDjPMfUXD6HKQG8Y38Edg1w9pGlVzoiA818cN2gUv_q1hyphenhyphenZskHYP7rN9udnCLB73MS9LQ_6PPfEA-PTokvIu0FPxHMoxYOZCVdbijojCsi0lFRrzd_F/s400/P1010370b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491229923211403698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The soupy mess after the rains. But the chicks had fledged...Yes!
<br /></span></div>
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Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Heading to camp and dragging our gear up to the campsite, we called it a day, a long and tiring day.<span style=""> </span>Lazy eyes claimed the night early on and, again, it was only a little after 8pm before the night’s slumber began.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br />We arose the next morning tired and sore but ready to get to work. We installed another set of temperature loggers and collected habitat data, then kayaked to another nest and removed a set. While attempting to remove the set, I quickly pulled the outside loggers. Then I looked inside but heard something bumping around in there and some chirping. I couldn't see anything so I took a few pictures...bats roosting in the top! Very cool. Several empty nests on this trip now had bats. I then pulled out the mesh holding the inside loggers...empty! Where was the logger? I felt around, took some photos and eventually began pulling out handfuls of roach-filled clumps of detritus. On the third handful, I found it...yes!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx-dKIOgTs107kI4nKxDTjWATttjizwJydD52ztHDgzrpbX6nshdSpWWbgqjj0bLNPU7nRyPmlp_oICwbAZ1RmBjPIrIrSF2SojZeK4vqHlaoqbuWu50G2b38e4AiwjFiOYqM0t3DUQJ9/s1600/P7030037b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx-dKIOgTs107kI4nKxDTjWATttjizwJydD52ztHDgzrpbX6nshdSpWWbgqjj0bLNPU7nRyPmlp_oICwbAZ1RmBjPIrIrSF2SojZeK4vqHlaoqbuWu50G2b38e4AiwjFiOYqM0t3DUQJ9/s400/P7030037b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491231185156297138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bats roosting in an empty macaw nest.
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<br />We then tried several trees for comparison and struck out each time. Cavities that looked good from the ground ended up only being a few inches deep. What an incredible amount of work for nothing!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwKHcbYlNn439bdRZxcmWOtFty2gwDLbyTfmd8vRiuoRfQuBwmaqPR3V0GpPslGnV_X9SQikARxxhLxv7dRZ1VER-ZGCkSLXk0rI232Qa8KLQZUJsZ0Wzf9BVP6wK206H2xGrfj0Ez2e5/s1600/P7020006b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwKHcbYlNn439bdRZxcmWOtFty2gwDLbyTfmd8vRiuoRfQuBwmaqPR3V0GpPslGnV_X9SQikARxxhLxv7dRZ1VER-ZGCkSLXk0rI232Qa8KLQZUJsZ0Wzf9BVP6wK206H2xGrfj0Ez2e5/s400/P7020006b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491231197021205506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJTvnaTi0fT3BME6J_o5lKWjSlpKhvf4lk0135Zvwjma4LnYphs7v5IAePwV5dUmxgsjdCL8_C8XleQkK4G29KPlYU00Bx0NT8TzK4Amnpl-IPrFXwa4nBa9LvUF453qnR6zorGX7y__G/s1600/P7020008b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJTvnaTi0fT3BME6J_o5lKWjSlpKhvf4lk0135Zvwjma4LnYphs7v5IAePwV5dUmxgsjdCL8_C8XleQkK4G29KPlYU00Bx0NT8TzK4Amnpl-IPrFXwa4nBa9LvUF453qnR6zorGX7y__G/s400/P7020008b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491231192176654946" border="0" /></a>
<br />We traveled upstream against some really intense currents and were able to find a couple of decent looking trees. An Ornate Hawk Eagle was perched nearby, a good omen. I climbed the first one and it was good. While measuring, I heard more bat chirping. After coming down from that nest we chopped our way over to another tree with a probable cavity. Alas, the only good fork to shoot a line over was way above the range of my slingshot...bummer!
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<br />We headed back downstream and to our delight, an otter had its head poking out of the water and then quickly dove and disappeared. It was our first otter in a couple of months. We also spotted a nice-sized croc sliding backwards down a bank and into a nice pool.
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<br />Near camp, we went to the nearby nest and pulled down the loggers (we devised a string system that would save us the hassle of climbing back up for the sole purpose of reclaiming the dataloggers. It worked! and we called it a day.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvUhpL9NMIeED7aEeLfiQF7MNR3FvxXTuz2Cm4KM7QxyX_X30olj_qRurt40E1ZUEnZqMKr_Mu-UWECkjnNu_pjL9RJcl2BwG4CLvt-etTKZBDb8oPrmi6Wvjy6indHQucx_VRbN3AOCa/s1600/P1010405b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvUhpL9NMIeED7aEeLfiQF7MNR3FvxXTuz2Cm4KM7QxyX_X30olj_qRurt40E1ZUEnZqMKr_Mu-UWECkjnNu_pjL9RJcl2BwG4CLvt-etTKZBDb8oPrmi6Wvjy6indHQucx_VRbN3AOCa/s400/P1010405b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491229913070812386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am desperately searching for the inner temperature datalogger.
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<br />The next morning, before heading downstream, Brad stopped to bilge his boat. I went ahead to one of the nearby nests to retrieve the datalogger. I yanked on the string and the outside logger popped off but the inside datalogger was stuck inside. I pulled a little harder and the string broke; the outside logger came shooting down. Man! Now we had to climb up. I went back down to the kayak just as Brad was paddling up. We grabbed the gear, shot the line over and up Brad went to retrieve the logger.
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<br />It wasn't there or below. I couldn't believe it so I climbed up there. Sure enough...nothing. Where the hell could it have gone? We were just baffled. I even scanned the surrounding trees and vines using binoculars while hanging from the rope. That was really frustrating, but what could we do? We headed back downstream.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFFZm3acodQrmb9Aqxdx7_tACeNEm7nf5TLd0bR_Ba0ojswYUEh0pXMSB3qQ-5HvLG61UH5uPbiu4ht-xmPxTf7PW6g_Z3xF4DOPnmDBuQU7RdecIcRx84ebnIgvA-jinCkeCHdjtSVsJ/s1600/P1010387b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFFZm3acodQrmb9Aqxdx7_tACeNEm7nf5TLd0bR_Ba0ojswYUEh0pXMSB3qQ-5HvLG61UH5uPbiu4ht-xmPxTf7PW6g_Z3xF4DOPnmDBuQU7RdecIcRx84ebnIgvA-jinCkeCHdjtSVsJ/s400/P1010387b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491227747998857026" border="0" /></a>
<br />Along the way down, we stopped at a nest to retrieve another set of temperature loggers. This nest was interesting in that the original attempt failed when the cavity veiling collapsed, filling in the cavity with debris up to the lower entrance lip. On the last visit, we saw that they had used the cavity above it for a second nesting attempt. When we stopped, it was confusing because the eggs were cracked open on the ground, right below the cavity, one still having a mature embryo exposed. What would do that? And leave it?
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<br />I was anticipating an interesting time getting the internal logger out as I accidentally dropped it into this deep cavity. We brought along a fishing hook and magnet (as a last resort) to try and retrieve it. When I climb up it, I was surprised to see the logger on the lip of the lower cavity entrance! Ah ha! The eggs had fallen through a hole in the bottom of the upper cavity and just rolled out. Wild!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCE71mKuXHHr9VZphGrzItDipY-ZU_ko2CPST_UeE-kJkpiZEdNjNYadqMf1zpEJ017Kqu-xkjGGO40k23A3RnCqK37xmv8RuwSWcvIMmbiH745YWu60Uo4KWPvBpdKrcXj7gg_kNhSoP/s1600/P1010408b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCE71mKuXHHr9VZphGrzItDipY-ZU_ko2CPST_UeE-kJkpiZEdNjNYadqMf1zpEJ017Kqu-xkjGGO40k23A3RnCqK37xmv8RuwSWcvIMmbiH745YWu60Uo4KWPvBpdKrcXj7gg_kNhSoP/s400/P1010408b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491227746508217426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Paddling back down the Raspaculo.
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<br />We paddled the rest of the day, looking for comparison nests. We finally found one and Brad started climbing...Bees! Had to abandon that attempt. Then it started raining and raining and raining. That pretty much killed our opportunities.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPNhry_wQHp5-BagzWwyMtDAvybO5W-Q_MlMaIHQLzmJv8R4bcHgkZDe1TEGjIteJ9TiBtJuMHp6GaloIH0ePQeTEW_IVlsAg9wH6r7A-nSQoJloe6kZMzEkKMwpQJoSC2vdIF6LhTib-/s1600/P1010421b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPNhry_wQHp5-BagzWwyMtDAvybO5W-Q_MlMaIHQLzmJv8R4bcHgkZDe1TEGjIteJ9TiBtJuMHp6GaloIH0ePQeTEW_IVlsAg9wH6r7A-nSQoJloe6kZMzEkKMwpQJoSC2vdIF6LhTib-/s400/P1010421b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491227737945350866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pondering pain and the project (photo courtesy of Brad).
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<br />Reached the campsite at the Monkeytail confluence. Oh man, the feet were really beginning to feel awful...river rot setting in. I was also beginning to feel depressed because the reality of the situation was not good. The nest comparisons were not panning out and our ability to work for a couple more days was NOT going to happen. The next day alone was going to hurt.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W-jkN2NE2S0tMwOSNmg-jZ0yfQ38zTTh7jlKBD7qmyNxEMEQAc9Z6hSA6anltTSi2J8FkU6qg3nc0OV4BY5cTuyZicoOBjS1F0kIkgsmlouxfVRW2KPHxaZro_npN7iAmB1G5BBkFQd7/s1600/P1010448b.jpg"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_QDyRtfKO-Dr0JvQ-usLtWm2-yqTOjcOrmSOFjHyIM_xhwP5_CWC49BTeSOBoRxO6UvGoFXY8ddDy9yxKCA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Macaw drinking out of a cavity and then walking around.</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIpgEc4HTtvQD76W88nHtFb6jFaHjYo-kUxlVIb48oszS2RKgRD1c0dYZp9pzDG8vkRLAbNgsH4SYEX3N4aRKQNbtYbDa0Ffah9c0AVRYXIQluFzXulOC6gvpfNX0V8Y5kDurMSgYi2u6/s1600/P7050066b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIpgEc4HTtvQD76W88nHtFb6jFaHjYo-kUxlVIb48oszS2RKgRD1c0dYZp9pzDG8vkRLAbNgsH4SYEX3N4aRKQNbtYbDa0Ffah9c0AVRYXIQluFzXulOC6gvpfNX0V8Y5kDurMSgYi2u6/s400/P7050066b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491231178284454642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View from a recently poached nest.
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<br />So we headed down the next morning and checked on the nests along the lower Raspaculo Branch. The two dead trees appeared to have successfully fledged. The two live trees in between were, as predicted, recently poached. So we went ahead and retrieved the dataloggers and collected habitat info before continuing the journey down.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zJj_aKScRsq1xrdsyizrs_pvzDLHVYtgNYHg3LTBm1ZbkrjPDpAE6EmN84sBUTTnJQA3Rbabry-_25aybK-weifb-APwsTql_QNUjZu9n74b4e6iAla3zQkmW8J515akAB4qUWSFls9y/s1600/P7050082b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zJj_aKScRsq1xrdsyizrs_pvzDLHVYtgNYHg3LTBm1ZbkrjPDpAE6EmN84sBUTTnJQA3Rbabry-_25aybK-weifb-APwsTql_QNUjZu9n74b4e6iAla3zQkmW8J515akAB4qUWSFls9y/s400/P7050082b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491231167598381298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad recording data.
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<br />At the final stop, my feet were in such pain that I just wore my crocs barefoot. It was better but the flies were swarming my feet and the situation was nearly unbearable. We fled the area, stopping at the spring above the confluence to refill our water bottles.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W-jkN2NE2S0tMwOSNmg-jZ0yfQ38zTTh7jlKBD7qmyNxEMEQAc9Z6hSA6anltTSi2J8FkU6qg3nc0OV4BY5cTuyZicoOBjS1F0kIkgsmlouxfVRW2KPHxaZro_npN7iAmB1G5BBkFQd7/s1600/P1010448b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W-jkN2NE2S0tMwOSNmg-jZ0yfQ38zTTh7jlKBD7qmyNxEMEQAc9Z6hSA6anltTSi2J8FkU6qg3nc0OV4BY5cTuyZicoOBjS1F0kIkgsmlouxfVRW2KPHxaZro_npN7iAmB1G5BBkFQd7/s400/P1010448b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491227734742622850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Toasting our final visit to the Raspaculo.
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<br />We needed to end on a good note and with exiting a day early, there was rum and agua de coco to be had. We toasted the Raspaculo for all of the good times and hard times. This was possibly our last visit to this magical river. So long Raspa!
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<br />Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-77400601922795209502010-06-29T18:43:00.000-07:002010-07-08T17:01:45.573-07:00Ahead of the storm<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> 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mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >On the 24<sup>th</sup> of June, Brad, Ernesto and I headed down for our last visit to Monkeytail Branch.<span style=""> </span>Much to our delight the trail/road from Las Cuevas Research Station to the river was dry and, for once, we weren’t sliding all over the road and worrying about getting stuck in a rut.<span style=""> </span></span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9GSbIcRwUBCouOZsTEBu9OFHfTJB_bD8dC7NXBfoA1R4Hcp6jVeyM0M2jhb0H2p_CE5ypTr-z8aqqxeOsOG247fxaczpZACBZmJhOuhZ0nVUYFrQwIOWWVjOrBkjFPudDBubnJFvSSW_/s1600/P1010224b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9GSbIcRwUBCouOZsTEBu9OFHfTJB_bD8dC7NXBfoA1R4Hcp6jVeyM0M2jhb0H2p_CE5ypTr-z8aqqxeOsOG247fxaczpZACBZmJhOuhZ0nVUYFrQwIOWWVjOrBkjFPudDBubnJFvSSW_/s400/P1010224b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488380247149114978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and I setting up the new kayak sleds.</span>
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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">After the previous experience with our wheel system, we completely abandoned that for thin sheet metal sleds.<span style=""> </span>These helped keep the kayaks in good shape but the drag produced from them required an exhausting amount of energy to get the kayaks down the valley slope.<span style=""> </span>Panting and aching, I abandoned mine about 100 feet before reaching the river.<span style=""> </span>No more!</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">We reached the river about the same time that we normally arrive at Las Cuevas.<span style=""> </span>As usual, we just walked in and soaked for a few minutes before taking off.<span style=""> </span>The river was at a nice water level and we quickly gained the first nest before lunch.<span style=""> </span>On our previous visit, there had been zero activity and the nest had suffered from a raptorial predation event.<span style=""> </span>So it was to our surprise that we found both parents present, one in the cavity and one on top, and, what’s more, 3 eggs at the bottom of the cavity!<span style=""> </span>A late, second attempt.<span style=""> </span>If they successfully fledge, we’re looking at late August at the earliest…crazy…hope they make it.<span style=""> </span>Brad continued to take habitat measurements.<span style=""> </span>We then left and moved just down river for lunch.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Of course, at our lunch spot we noticed that both of our kayaks were already developing cracks and taking on water…what’s new?</p>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Kaqh2pUXr3X8APNjP36vzjS3ol5Wf8UFJgZWFHNtzfMqFvNL-skV7Dr_RmqdgPysfQ4MfEsDJ4oZ9Kv07spfe195GyR8UN4LhjDmzPwEWbYu46UDrXKsarpQ-2m8XHrBNcaROUbRqTi6/s1600/P1010240b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Kaqh2pUXr3X8APNjP36vzjS3ol5Wf8UFJgZWFHNtzfMqFvNL-skV7Dr_RmqdgPysfQ4MfEsDJ4oZ9Kv07spfe195GyR8UN4LhjDmzPwEWbYu46UDrXKsarpQ-2m8XHrBNcaROUbRqTi6/s400/P1010240b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488380257823987954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Three new eggs on the Monkeytail Branch (photo by Brad).</span>
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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">After lunch we moved down to a bend in the river where several nice cavities were spotted.<span style=""> </span>An apparent xatero trail passed through the area so it made walking to the cluster of trees easy.<span style=""> </span>However, spotting the right trees from below the general canopy is a bit tricky.<span style=""> </span>I found what looked to be a nice tree and we shot a line over and I climbed.<span style=""> </span>I was a bit nervous about some of the flies as my mind was intensely nervous following Brad’s bees attack on the previous trip up the Macal River.<span style=""> </span>All went well and the cavity was suitable for comparison. It began sprinkling while up there but the downpour held off until we reached the kayaks.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzff8UEklmwTBDSEx_aNm_4BRTcBzU1P8tUfNz4jy8j4u52HxpA7zFTmVkg5tn0djoBjlaVtBYFQR4APBS42rehUF4z4E4lAUEGrbPtNTt1O-jT877O9JuzxtrqiNyv9hpCHCSHcvQRFf/s1600/P6240001b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzff8UEklmwTBDSEx_aNm_4BRTcBzU1P8tUfNz4jy8j4u52HxpA7zFTmVkg5tn0djoBjlaVtBYFQR4APBS42rehUF4z4E4lAUEGrbPtNTt1O-jT877O9JuzxtrqiNyv9hpCHCSHcvQRFf/s400/P6240001b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488379443158028370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad climbing up the nest on the Monkeytail Branch.</span>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRFANIXrR2FDkRE630MjUZ73gK9uwfWvPCPlaLISPFZwneUGs7SDKaB6T5DNTz8JuEsoNUH6GhzjOEOjtKGL_zkUtvsnBHnME7cyS7frtLrFtoSBA6s1NxboAhF10Z-nhLxAdwbI-AgjO/s1600/P6240011b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRFANIXrR2FDkRE630MjUZ73gK9uwfWvPCPlaLISPFZwneUGs7SDKaB6T5DNTz8JuEsoNUH6GhzjOEOjtKGL_zkUtvsnBHnME7cyS7frtLrFtoSBA6s1NxboAhF10Z-nhLxAdwbI-AgjO/s400/P6240011b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488379448481133186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Looking up while hanging from the comparison nest.</span>
<br />
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">As soon as we were moving down the Monkeytail it really began pouring.<span style=""> </span>We knew that a tropical system might be moving in, which can spell disaster in the mountains…floods. </p>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBLz6Csfdvg6-HE4F7hWaT73D6aZWeYa-lmu2DHLzgquwSUlTllkyXBD9aSjqgZPh-xpE7yD_cWGz1UbeyBmCremBMFJYZoDibTtxQvlfFkqMRc9BGFBalbk4Cr2sL17mCooMUn_-j3Do/s1600/P1010244b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBLz6Csfdvg6-HE4F7hWaT73D6aZWeYa-lmu2DHLzgquwSUlTllkyXBD9aSjqgZPh-xpE7yD_cWGz1UbeyBmCremBMFJYZoDibTtxQvlfFkqMRc9BGFBalbk4Cr2sL17mCooMUn_-j3Do/s400/P1010244b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488380266752727938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bilging my kayak in the rain...fun!</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WnL4nvK4JalJ_HoAq4Zxv96TRMkoqbhkwomDOI4G8tGDWISpHGd0-nanJWKiIjjcqBQvsx0MMf8rMgTU1eGxJpPPGlWYjcMsVv1LrWz767xXoOX1ypsc0oxvdvGFW7AZaSO90vRwu-X_/s1600/P1010255b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WnL4nvK4JalJ_HoAq4Zxv96TRMkoqbhkwomDOI4G8tGDWISpHGd0-nanJWKiIjjcqBQvsx0MMf8rMgTU1eGxJpPPGlWYjcMsVv1LrWz767xXoOX1ypsc0oxvdvGFW7AZaSO90vRwu-X_/s400/P1010255b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488380282945089570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am maneuvering through a small channel.
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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We continued downstream, passing the rock where we encountered the large group of xateros on our prior visit to the Monkeytail Branch.<span style=""> </span>After pushing downstream until 5:30pm, we reached our usual campsite above the confluence with the Raspaculo Branch.<span style=""> </span>After setting up camp we made a ridiculous attempt at starting a cook fire for dinner and, after 45 minutes of futility, settled on cooking with hexamine fuel tablets…much more sensible under those weather conditions.<span style=""> </span>It rained a little during the night but not hard.</p> </div><span style="font-size:78%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQphU3_rZs0YFrX74dFOy6vTSWzFRI-Ebg05Zu7deWwXC1F7FDlahUYk_uvzvHiqOc5eiH7YFO81Cx88SmPqVyOZg38qVoRlUuKrfC0HZrePuWQObqXQUuKTJQQvrKex8Ouf1dQvfaw8Wt/s1600/P6250045b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQphU3_rZs0YFrX74dFOy6vTSWzFRI-Ebg05Zu7deWwXC1F7FDlahUYk_uvzvHiqOc5eiH7YFO81Cx88SmPqVyOZg38qVoRlUuKrfC0HZrePuWQObqXQUuKTJQQvrKex8Ouf1dQvfaw8Wt/s400/P6250045b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488379451852109762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View from one of our poached nests on the Raspaculo Branch.
<br /></span></div>
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We got a late start the following morning and reached the first of our two poached nests on the upper Raspaculo Branch by 9am.<span style=""> </span>Our objective was to at least get the necessary data from these two nests before having to leave ahead of the potential stormy weather.<span style=""> </span>Brad installed the temperature dataloggers and we headed upstream in search of a comparison nest.<span style=""> </span>In short time we found what appeared to be a suitable tree.<span style=""> </span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After chopping our way up the steep slope, we reached the floodplain and continued chopping a path through the thick, tall grass and vines.<span style=""> </span>Connecting with Tapir trails, we made it to the tree in about twenty minutes.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We easily shot a line over and I began to ascend through a thick layer of vines covering the bottom of the trunk.<span style=""> </span>After penetrating that thicket, I paused and scanned the tree, for a fourth time, in search of bees.<span style=""> </span>Crap!<span style=""> </span>On a lateral branch a small cavity that I had overlooked was humming with activity.<span style=""> </span>Seeing this, I quickly descended and we abandoned that attempt.<span style=""> </span>Heading upstream, we settled for a cavity on a fig tree along the river.<span style=""> </span><span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpXDRztzdCRmviKK-EgpKQvM3pvE4jYSv-Soo2EXuSggJR_8HyYSY07mXHCEM4Cvaj7IgaLuV5Ujxu0ikCe_g1Q_nHR6fY32OIHI0aJWnhMDtoe0ilKVFl3ywKSPcYwLSNQXI6g5zw_zI/s1600/P1010006b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpXDRztzdCRmviKK-EgpKQvM3pvE4jYSv-Soo2EXuSggJR_8HyYSY07mXHCEM4Cvaj7IgaLuV5Ujxu0ikCe_g1Q_nHR6fY32OIHI0aJWnhMDtoe0ilKVFl3ywKSPcYwLSNQXI6g5zw_zI/s400/P1010006b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488379429544064690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Base of another poached tree. This on was chopped down.
<br /></span></div>
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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We then continued upriver to the second poached tree, which had been chopped down a month ago.<span style=""> </span>Along the way we watched on as an iguana dropped out of a tree, attempting to reach the water to flee our presence.<span style=""> </span>It badly misjudged its position and, instead, slammed against the river bank, with a loud “Thwack!,” knocking itself out cold!<span style=""> </span>Soon afterwards we were treated to a nice view of an ornate hawk eagle as it flew in above us with a small iguana in its talons…very cool. <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Arriving around a quarter past four, we took measurements of the fallen tree and nest cavity.<span style=""> </span>For comparison, the adjacent tree was perfect and had a couple of cavities.<span style=""> </span>Brad climbed this tree and took measurements.<span style=""> </span>While doing this, he noted that the substrate felt ‘soft’ when sending the tape measure into the cavity.<span style=""> </span>Just before descending, he remembered to take a photo inside of the cavity.<span style=""> </span>Much to his surprise, a raptor was sitting on eggs inside!<span style=""> </span>I later determined it to be a barred forest falcon…very rare and a lucky find.</p>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ5wZH3E9YohRHgv6I79q7lWXZOl_3LGOTXBoF-LFYGrbwmocMWO95pDXsylu_-5PR6JIl8l0pXBX7hf35dYCuLWPF8UdNSdAF0gufW5ePIS0SotN-UHKtMB2k1HwttI6BCpuuLw71Fcx/s1600/P1010296b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ5wZH3E9YohRHgv6I79q7lWXZOl_3LGOTXBoF-LFYGrbwmocMWO95pDXsylu_-5PR6JIl8l0pXBX7hf35dYCuLWPF8UdNSdAF0gufW5ePIS0SotN-UHKtMB2k1HwttI6BCpuuLw71Fcx/s400/P1010296b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488381187320441618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nesting barred forest falcon (courtesy of Brad).
<br />
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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">After finishing with the comparison nest, we cleared out a small area below the trees for our campsite. I then decided to give Ernesto a call to get a weather update.<span style=""> </span>After a few attempts, I was able to get a hold of him.<span style=""> </span>Between the static, I definitely heard him.<span style=""> </span>“Get out!”<span style=""> </span>“Alex is now a tropical depression”.<span style=""> </span>Wow!<span style=""> </span>It was late, close to 6pm and daylight was fading.<span style=""> </span>I told him we would head downstream until dark, camp and push to get out the next day.<span style=""> </span>We hopped in our kayaks, each holding water, Brad’s had more than mine, and we paddled furiously to try and gain the campsite at the confluence of the Raspaculo and Monkeytail Branches.<span style=""> </span>At least we were heading in the right direction to take advantage of the fading light.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We reached the campsite at dusk and quickly set up camp.<span style=""> </span>After eating dinner, we called it a night rather early.<span style=""> </span>I awoke during the night to hear that the downpour had begun.<span style=""> </span>It rained all night.</p> </div></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME6pfB6JHQE4HV4rireV5V4WkkDZxhpz8tWHZAc1fgWrt0PNek-UAxNi7IUt5RFNfV7r7v6HqZ8S2Otru9DitcJsrVp1GwqMKxzzc_mod7Hcer4BFcehESndDu6OPqJ7OblwKBwDAIJFv/s1600/P1010299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhME6pfB6JHQE4HV4rireV5V4WkkDZxhpz8tWHZAc1fgWrt0PNek-UAxNi7IUt5RFNfV7r7v6HqZ8S2Otru9DitcJsrVp1GwqMKxzzc_mod7Hcer4BFcehESndDu6OPqJ7OblwKBwDAIJFv/s400/P1010299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488381194457137154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Breakfast in the rain, under the shelter of my hammock (photo by Brad).
<br /></span></div>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn55z-9vgjyxC3jwILn0ELuWFx64wnZgdSssolgvvIA4hTlYkVN2FXDT-QCKYY4pTNNeWWWN59lOYRJzV9y_oKaCH08-FSjjj6sjXFbZKz4-ttAYiAuJnj1YBc0yqAmAGrlF-F4rYYxDL/s1600/P1010306.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn55z-9vgjyxC3jwILn0ELuWFx64wnZgdSssolgvvIA4hTlYkVN2FXDT-QCKYY4pTNNeWWWN59lOYRJzV9y_oKaCH08-FSjjj6sjXFbZKz4-ttAYiAuJnj1YBc0yqAmAGrlF-F4rYYxDL/s400/P1010306.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488381201082450290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Making our way through the downpour of tropical depression Alex.
<br /></span></div>
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Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:595.35pt 841.7pt; margin:56.7pt 56.7pt 56.7pt 56.7pt; mso-header-margin:35.45pt; mso-footer-margin:35.45pt; mso-paper-source:15;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">It now turned into an intense rain, we were lucky to be on the reservoir now and not up the river.<span style=""> </span>We paddled all morning and into the afternoon.<span style=""> </span>Upon reaching the main part of the reservoir, the wind picked up and was blowing into our faces.<span style=""> </span>So now we had to paddle the remaining two hours with the rain in our faces and chop slamming into our bows, spraying water over us…joy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">With relief, Ernesto was at the take out, nervously awaiting our arrival.<span style=""> </span>We quickly loaded up and got out of there.<span style=""> </span>The mountains were getting an intense rain storm and I really wondered what it was going to look like on our next visit to Cushtabani. </p>
<br />Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-17616294789098558672010-06-29T18:11:00.001-07:002010-07-07T16:04:11.192-07:00Lucky to be aliveThree weeks ago two Guatemalan technicians working for Wildlife Conservation Society visited to conduct a survey of trees surrounding the scarlet macaw nests in Belize. A similar survey was recently conducted in Guatemala. We had a rough start and it really didn't get any better.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZgl-yOjuZVrLsWUfefUSB194lzy2emSm-l9js-DyJBSsrHNGIR99-c-Kq7-5YQejf7RzYmlnN649XSLeWkEapODdCKVzCXV2AEPBfVFSNWNg703idpx78V8JXPUC4UcCs67Kvhe6FytC/s1600/P1010098b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZgl-yOjuZVrLsWUfefUSB194lzy2emSm-l9js-DyJBSsrHNGIR99-c-Kq7-5YQejf7RzYmlnN649XSLeWkEapODdCKVzCXV2AEPBfVFSNWNg703idpx78V8JXPUC4UcCs67Kvhe6FytC/s400/P1010098b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488373326229459506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ernesto and I playing in the mud (photo by Brad).<br /><br /></span></div>On the 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> of June, we loaded up the Jeep for an early start. Crossing over Mountain Pine Ridge, we headed for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kinlock</span> Camp Road. The idea was to put in at this new location, providing us with access to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Macal</span> River at a spot closer to where we needed to begin and then we could just work our way downstream. It didn't work out.<br /><br />Ernesto was driving while I had the GPS hooked up to my laptop to navigate the unsigned roads to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kinlock</span> and down to the river. Everything was going well when we hit a mud spot. The Jeep promptly sunk. Four-wheel drive refused to engage and we quickly were deeply mired down to the frame. <br /><br />We attempted every type of pushing and lifting, shoving rocks and branches under the tires to no avail. I haven't been that muddy in a long, long time...I might have been ten years old. While looking under the front end, I noticed that two plugs to the front axle shift motor were unplugged. No wonder the four-wheel drive wasn't engaging. Plugged those in and we were able to sink in new ways. <br /><br />I finally pulled out the come along, a type of winch, and my tow cable...and there were no trees close by...go figure. We had to tie it off to a tree that was nearly perpendicular to the jeep. It was good for about five minutes of revving and winching before it would snap with frightening force and nearly break whoever was working the come along. Then we would have to retie it, each time getting progressively shorter. After about eight hours of this crap we moved the jeep about 7 feet and were still in the mud and out of rope. It was hopeless.<br /><br />I pulled out my satellite phone and tried to get help from the Forest Dept as well as Friends for Conservation and Development. It was a case of wait and see, wait and see...oh the office is now closed so sorry. In a last ditch effort, I called our friend Emil. He promptly rounded up a vehicle and some friends for the rescue. <br /><br />While waiting, Ernesto and I took a walk down the remaining to road to see the condition. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hmmm</span>...it was crazy. There is no way the Jeep would have made it...a crazy idea based on the suggestion of someone who had obviously not been there. I was really pissed at myself for following his suggestion instead of going using the roads I know to be good.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iu-vhy7bBMEfDrE5-bgObFRScbX2wC5Izh6kJqZHR8MaMcUgr-chhCoSq-ssyTI4HgJV6fgN84BPuUXUEOgUCF0r7uClXoGAyHnATb_uTEDXtU38DiUxAZ-5l0QxNN7YbozKFNyy2gAO/s1600/P6170021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iu-vhy7bBMEfDrE5-bgObFRScbX2wC5Izh6kJqZHR8MaMcUgr-chhCoSq-ssyTI4HgJV6fgN84BPuUXUEOgUCF0r7uClXoGAyHnATb_uTEDXtU38DiUxAZ-5l0QxNN7YbozKFNyy2gAO/s400/P6170021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488369518924609554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad, Ernesto, Pancho, and myself eating in the road (photo by Vicky).<br /><br /></span></div>We returned to the group and got a fire going on the road for dinner...a little spaghetti. I then brought out the rum and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">agua</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">de</span> coco to assuage our pain while waiting. It was not two hours when we were all out cold, sleeping in the middle of this far out dirt road to nowhere. I awoke at 8:30pm to Emil walking through our slumbering circle with his headlamp on. What? of cool!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ09gsl7AJvt7iH9S8thKWxjI6NATzbKCTBZ8VwYvo31IxkbPyxi7wwozix1RmxD8rV5kzkxM81V0UHlbMPaMPC6amM3CK0jJ9HBFrOGwafZalAkjFg0ploi44zpYfb-RyOf0qKnvXm7c/s1600/P6170017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ09gsl7AJvt7iH9S8thKWxjI6NATzbKCTBZ8VwYvo31IxkbPyxi7wwozix1RmxD8rV5kzkxM81V0UHlbMPaMPC6amM3CK0jJ9HBFrOGwafZalAkjFg0ploi44zpYfb-RyOf0qKnvXm7c/s400/P6170017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488369508101244770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad playing with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stingered</span> scorpion.<br /><br /></span></div>It was not long before we had the chain hooked on from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Gonzo's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mitsibishi</span> and we were out. We were now following behind them in the dark. It was difficult to monitor the condition of the road in front of us...and I fell into a HUGE rut! No! We were heading out and home and now I probably killed the Jeep and was really stuck. They hooked the chain back onto the front end and pulled while I floored it. Nothing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yOApseFilM3YIg5vQtv7CAbGZmkzVnc54l5kOz2ddYqmzmg1SO3zABawgA9zoHRhrPI2WfbZWWfaR0tiKP_lQ_vscmlqrZn61xlr-dXmKftpCOBLLRNDpEDNmQB2HBUHChA9ZuqgVeEx/s1600/P1010104b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yOApseFilM3YIg5vQtv7CAbGZmkzVnc54l5kOz2ddYqmzmg1SO3zABawgA9zoHRhrPI2WfbZWWfaR0tiKP_lQ_vscmlqrZn61xlr-dXmKftpCOBLLRNDpEDNmQB2HBUHChA9ZuqgVeEx/s400/P1010104b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488373335517312530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ernesto and Emil next to the recently rutted Jeep.<br /><br /></span></div>I got out and looked under the jeep. I wall of dirt and rock was flush with the front differential. It was not going forward. I had them pull the Mitsubishi behind the Jeep and we were able to back it out. Okay, on the road again. The stress of trying to get the Jeep unstuck all day had caused the radiator to spring a leak. Now overheating. It took three stops of refilling the radiator at creeks to get us back into town...at 2am. <br /><br />Exhausted, we all crashed, glad to be clean and have a bed under us...what would tomorrow bring?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjpCPBv4oafvn0-k6LrYsZlnCDvtQISlA5uQwrVBWAeymjuW0kee-Ni7pRCyuXQUw5N_vqxXNKG9U3aNZEs3HCUbh0ryAEK7GL4mHNf2zu20UON_4ekrf3CDnQGmuZoqZkkHRuCpcv1xQ/s1600/P1010121b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjpCPBv4oafvn0-k6LrYsZlnCDvtQISlA5uQwrVBWAeymjuW0kee-Ni7pRCyuXQUw5N_vqxXNKG9U3aNZEs3HCUbh0ryAEK7GL4mHNf2zu20UON_4ekrf3CDnQGmuZoqZkkHRuCpcv1xQ/s400/P1010121b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488373339061000210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Zahir</span> Garcia, the smallest member of the research team.<br /><br /></span></div>Ernesto and family came over the next morning and we got a late start, leaving around 11am. We headed to the Ballerina Rd put-in, just above the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Chalillo</span> dam. It was a longer route, but a sure one. We loaded up the kayaks and hit the water. Vicky's inexperience on the water was apparent as she quickly b-lined towards the shore and beached herself. Unable to free herself, Brad and I retrieved her. There was no time for an hour learning session so we tied her kayak onto the back of my kayak and headed off. She could provide some propulsion but I was going to handle the steering. This worked well. It was a little extra work but more efficient than the alternative. Along the way we had a nice look at a Tapir...a first for Vicky! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYeRlGrVcrnenmsODUP9-1Tgy7hoau_YGeclLIMSNpV_HYsOvinsNsvLA3b9_MyJSH25t2TsAqrPJdBqVdVVVcrYJqkSNKalaCV0xRO9dfB2GULZFi2byrhyxFch5XiFnoXBacvff1jv/s1600/P1010130b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYeRlGrVcrnenmsODUP9-1Tgy7hoau_YGeclLIMSNpV_HYsOvinsNsvLA3b9_MyJSH25t2TsAqrPJdBqVdVVVcrYJqkSNKalaCV0xRO9dfB2GULZFi2byrhyxFch5XiFnoXBacvff1jv/s400/P1010130b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488373351188514514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pancho (foreground), Vicky and myself (background) paddling up the reservoir</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> (photo by Brad).<br /><br /></span></div>We reached the first nest and was surprised that the veg crew could not collect any data. It was at that point that their methodology became more clear...oh man. These reservoir nests were not going to go well. We then headed up a nest that had been burned by poachers...they set fire to the tree if it's dead in the hopes that the chick will jump out. I am sure that most of the time they just burn to death.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU76zPacmm_KGKhlwdZfWuNpY_hvO3V3crCLvo6vmynH8qnE-4z7mTyba1imR_ZXvruMVZ-XHbGBbfAzQP_Q4IFH4g4AU51-KEp1v9VUeeRIJTuyvQihErQdrN7DoTtzMc1sL7YnCLxHlz/s1600/P6180027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU76zPacmm_KGKhlwdZfWuNpY_hvO3V3crCLvo6vmynH8qnE-4z7mTyba1imR_ZXvruMVZ-XHbGBbfAzQP_Q4IFH4g4AU51-KEp1v9VUeeRIJTuyvQihErQdrN7DoTtzMc1sL7YnCLxHlz/s400/P6180027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488369527455718162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nest burned to the ground by poachers.<br /><br /></span></div>We camped at this spot amongst the dead trees and stumps and continued up the next morning to a nest we had been told was probably poached. While we confirmed this, Vicky and Pancho measured the trees in the area. Sure enough, another poached nest. We then headed up above the reservoir to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Kinlock</span> Camp. It was tough work pulling my own kayak along with Vicky's put we switched off and got the work done. We reached there we were shocked that someone had cleared a road through the area...interesting. It was early enough to climb the nest tree before camping. We retrieved the temperature <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">datalogger</span> (which failed due to battery failure, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">arggghhh</span>!) and collect habitat data.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK8Gm9vS6nuaQWZwnzboEFey9zyeL-j6TUnSiveh9GRWQFrpHwLOkD2Xv6zmIqSZfFNSe8zcd_xevnFurMCfQ1I45SB7JTRrtfP0C2OdbowdT4zSYwbMAuzwvWAFS1jf808Azg2ujcEqE/s1600/P6200017b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK8Gm9vS6nuaQWZwnzboEFey9zyeL-j6TUnSiveh9GRWQFrpHwLOkD2Xv6zmIqSZfFNSe8zcd_xevnFurMCfQ1I45SB7JTRrtfP0C2OdbowdT4zSYwbMAuzwvWAFS1jf808Azg2ujcEqE/s400/P6200017b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488370329418509618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nearly ready to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">fledge</span> chick.<br /></span></div><br />The next morning we headed up to our furthest up nest on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Macal</span> River, about 3km upriver. It didn't seem to take too long to get up there. Brad climbed this tree. We expected the chick, <a href="http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/2010/05/chicken-little-and-tha-gang.html">Chicken Little</a>, to be close to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">fledging</span>. Sure enough, it was, and it was just gorgeous! I could hear it screaming from the ground. Brad then took a few minutes to collect habitat data. After slinging a rope around the tree to measure the circumference of the tree at the nest, he attempted to pull it back around. It got stuck, wedged in the fork of a lateral branch. He pulled and yanked, kicking and slapping the tree several times in the process.<br /><br />All of a sudden I heard, "Oh god, killer bees!" It was a horrifying feeling. There was nothing I could do down here and Brad was stuck up there. "Cover you face," I yelled. It had already pulled his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">bandana</span> over his face and was switching over to his descending gear blindfolded (glad we've used this gear for six months already!). I haphazardly threw gear into the dry bag and as soon as he hit the ground I sent him to the river with the bag, still wearing all of the climbing gear. <br /><br />We were luck...Brad was VERY lucky. The bees called off the attack after he descended. I took a few photographs and pulled the rope down, put it up and walked down to the river. I inspected Brad's head for stingers but he had got them all using the compass mirror. All told was stung about 7-10 times in the face. It was crazy! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli_z7KdhXWaWyAgYRKa5oRb_oIL3Ue7Jd5rj1vh8A_KLk2f6jN0naOyzEXBwRQbLjfhuMUKWi1w6-Sp_lsiLZejjMf75cDppuPiySRxYzxz3tD5tNuRyOiSx69EoJnx-TKqPMek0SJoJY/s1600/P1010192c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli_z7KdhXWaWyAgYRKa5oRb_oIL3Ue7Jd5rj1vh8A_KLk2f6jN0naOyzEXBwRQbLjfhuMUKWi1w6-Sp_lsiLZejjMf75cDppuPiySRxYzxz3tD5tNuRyOiSx69EoJnx-TKqPMek0SJoJY/s400/P1010192c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488375981460530834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The swollen progression of poor Brad.<br /></span></div><br />We headed downriver and I tried to climb a comparison nest. By the time we were set up and heavy downpour began. Not knowing how bad it was going to be, we had to call off the attempt and get downstream. We reached <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Kinlock</span> Camp and ate lunch while Pancho and Vicky loaded up their kayaks. We then headed back downstream and camped above the confluence with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Raspaculo</span> Branch. It was a beautiful evening. Brad began swelling up and by the following morning his eyes were nearly swollen shut. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAcIp7dt-25XsHpjnEaWFsrKOSvXWyE5RucoHi9zAeKnVnlZzhGob_ut3_zA4ZL6QupznOxJ4EI4iWYFsvI-rUJJaEeVNcXHRsYLmiqTZN-Fe-Bw8hixj49pBEPxgJXuCJV15kDoJVvlt/s1600/P1010197b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAcIp7dt-25XsHpjnEaWFsrKOSvXWyE5RucoHi9zAeKnVnlZzhGob_ut3_zA4ZL6QupznOxJ4EI4iWYFsvI-rUJJaEeVNcXHRsYLmiqTZN-Fe-Bw8hixj49pBEPxgJXuCJV15kDoJVvlt/s400/P1010197b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488375989973978658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pancho, Vicky and I heading downriver (photo courtesy of Brad).<br /><br /></span></div>We stopped at the confluence to attempt to climb a dead stump with a poached nest. The rope kept getting stuck at the top and we could never pull it over the top. We did pull a temperature data logger over the top to at least collect that data.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiwIndtBUi-KGb9ILBQyoB27miFwfvf4FF3TB06XLskDs3YgVKFFb_Z7sP6U0smGzR2UB1PbvVY5mwXADWOao3Zv1LxYcqZapXQNZRUX5GSUDO8t2cQe-WBXvXLqwCKkWAqqTpo0iCD7C/s1600/P6210040b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiwIndtBUi-KGb9ILBQyoB27miFwfvf4FF3TB06XLskDs3YgVKFFb_Z7sP6U0smGzR2UB1PbvVY5mwXADWOao3Zv1LxYcqZapXQNZRUX5GSUDO8t2cQe-WBXvXLqwCKkWAqqTpo0iCD7C/s400/P6210040b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488370334410822994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Think I'm going crazy.<br /></span></div><br />We pushed down the reservoir towards the take out and the last nest. We ran into a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Blancaneaux</span> Lodge tour being conducted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">FCD</span> and were informed that the pair across from Ballerina Rd were, in fact, using a cavity to the left of the one we had all originally suspected. By this time I was really on edge and mentally and physically exhausted. Pulling two kayaks and gear around all over the place, on top of the normal work, was exhausting. Luckily, by the last day, Vicky was getting the hang of paddling and she did really well paddling the rest of the way down the reservoir solo...way to go Vicky! I was already having reservations about taking them up the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Raspaculo</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Cushtabani</span>. That's another level or two of distance and intensity. Not to mention that the risk of flash flooding was very real with the onset of the rainy season.<br /><br />We climbed the nest and I was quite shocked to find three peeping, newborn chicks in the smallest macaw cavity I have ever seen. They barely fit, what was going to happen when they began really growing. Only one was going to make it for sure. Brad and I headed over to the original cavity and climbed that one as a comparison nest. By the time we finished, I was severely dehydrated and worn out and frustrated with the trip. After all of the time with the veg crew, it seems that their methodology which works well in the primary forests in the Maya Biosphere Reserve do not apply to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">successional</span> riparian forests where we were working.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYP2OIkj8_v8WdElK9fPVCUYpLcM-trxk7U3vdsIYE3Hz6EvhZMAHmCW5F9059_s0CfuWdoN-_K7ij4FVwDDrUf9oQNWEVsnezb1BRy-avOju2d6a_ZVhDv3sDEN20UfeJ22khCnTLTji/s1600/P1010216b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYP2OIkj8_v8WdElK9fPVCUYpLcM-trxk7U3vdsIYE3Hz6EvhZMAHmCW5F9059_s0CfuWdoN-_K7ij4FVwDDrUf9oQNWEVsnezb1BRy-avOju2d6a_ZVhDv3sDEN20UfeJ22khCnTLTji/s400/P1010216b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488375994887479186" border="0" /></a><br /></div>We paddled over and loaded up. On the way out, the jeep began hesitating and lugging. I had everyone get out and then Ernesto was able to get the Jeep all the way up to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">ridgeline</span>. The rest of us, tired and thirsty, had to stumble and walk up the gravel road to the top. I was pissed. I was tired. And I was ready to go home.Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-6893211809056679762010-06-14T10:38:00.001-07:002010-06-16T08:14:17.618-07:00The fun never ends at Natural ArchThis past Sunday we headed back to the Chiquibul in order to check up on our lone nest on the Chiquibul Branch.<span style=""> </span>The plan was to go for a long day trip, with the possibility of staying overnight. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Brad and I picked Ernesto up at his house around 6am and headed out of town.<span style=""> </span>I drove a bit more quickly over the Pine Ridge than usual, mainly because we needed to get down there as quickly as possible.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After crossing over the Guacamallo Bridge at the Macal River we entered the Chiquibul Forest.<span style=""> </span>A short drive later we stopped at the FCD ranger base and chatted to two of the rangers.<span style=""> </span>I extended an invitation to them to come with us for the day.<span style=""> </span>One of them jumped on the opportunity to get back in that area and advised us not to go down to Resumadero Camp road and instead to head to the Natural Arch.<span style=""> </span>It made good sense.<span style=""> </span>So we loaded up and headed out. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The road below Millianario Camp is ROUGH and only gets worse after Engineer’s Camp.<span style=""> </span>It was at this point on the last trip that my transmission mount broke.<span style=""> </span>Try finding a replacement!<span style=""> </span>Ernesto and I had to rebuild it ourselves with a little Belizean ingenuity.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We reached Natural Arch around 9:30am.<span style=""> </span>Immediately after exiting the vehicle we heard people hooting to each other…Xateros!<span style=""> </span>Uh oh.<span style=""> </span>Hmmm…what to do?<span style=""> </span>We hung out for a few minutes and unloaded the gear.<span style=""> </span>Guess we better get this show on the road and hope we don’t have any encounters by the river.<span style=""> </span>Brad and I began to drag, or better yet, have the kayaks drag us down a very steep trail that descends from the top to the bottom of Natural Arch while Ernesto and the ranger stayed with the vehicle.<span style=""> </span>After much physical effort we managed to reach the bottom with everything intact.<span style=""> </span>The plan was to be gone for roughly 5 hours and return no later than 2 or 3pm.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">No xateros at the bottom so that was a relief.<span style=""> </span>We began our quick trip downstream.<span style=""> </span>With the water slightly up it took maybe an hour to reach the nest.<span style=""> </span>I half expected to see the tree chopped down by poachers or burned, because it is so huge.<span style=""> </span>Thankfully, it was still standing.<span style=""> </span>We took our gear up to the tree and with the new and improved slingshot, FINALLY zinged a line over the very top of the cavity.<span style=""> </span>This nest cavity is just a top opening of the stump.<span style=""> </span>There is one lateral branch but it sits too far below the nest to be of any use (tried that one on the last visit).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSjF6pHiUmlV98XqmXgzWXFY4M4BS015KBY-CcQyRlpm9QTDcZR8OHYJX7QQnExyUzkSpYHfoHS7EsebAQkDmA__26ia5l0xrp_cB25pj_PY4NNIgW9kfaGhov80XuHLZMUI7uJg3GFHL/s1600/P6120002+%282%29b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSjF6pHiUmlV98XqmXgzWXFY4M4BS015KBY-CcQyRlpm9QTDcZR8OHYJX7QQnExyUzkSpYHfoHS7EsebAQkDmA__26ia5l0xrp_cB25pj_PY4NNIgW9kfaGhov80XuHLZMUI7uJg3GFHL/s400/P6120002+%282%29b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482686209372363778" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad climbing up the Ceiba.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Brad scaled the tree and stretched to barely be able to get the camera over the lip of the entrance to snap a few photos and some video.<span style=""> </span>From the camera LCD screen, the nest looked empty.<span style=""> </span>From the lack of poaching or predation evidence, it seemed like whatever young were there must have fledged.<span style=""> </span>While up there, Brad went ahead and collected as much habitat data as possible and then descended.<span style=""> </span>Working back in that area makes me nervous for obvious reasons.<span style=""> </span>At one point I had to go check the boats because I heard something ‘knocking’ over there.<span style=""> </span>Had no idea what it was.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfmod77sIuK_6j4xrk_UG7FlzquZ_pKE1fpVxmc2bfV8EIHUwd7m5Mz1Js1c3m66Z2v80ei0Zi5XzMPC8g20SAOIIsiEJ9H6pCKaGhkSfzPdcgT84-wuYha9-qWH0PKeQRu4sbpqND6B1/s1600/P6120005+%282%29b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfmod77sIuK_6j4xrk_UG7FlzquZ_pKE1fpVxmc2bfV8EIHUwd7m5Mz1Js1c3m66Z2v80ei0Zi5XzMPC8g20SAOIIsiEJ9H6pCKaGhkSfzPdcgT84-wuYha9-qWH0PKeQRu4sbpqND6B1/s400/P6120005+%282%29b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482686216647800274" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad working at the top of the nest, and tree.</span></p><br />We ate a quick lunch of bollos in the kayaks and quickly paddled back upstream at noon.<span style=""> </span>Two adult and one immature King Vultures were feeding on a Tapir carcass on the way up.<span style=""> </span>We reached Natural Arch a little over an hour later and began the arduous ascent up that horribly steep trail.<span style=""> </span>We each had to manhandle our kayaks up this beast.<span style=""> </span>After getting maybe a third of the way up we changed our strategy and shuttled them up.<span style=""> </span>We reached about three quarters of the way up when the fellas heard us and assisted getting them to the jeep.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4TSmJ3wwqVA6P4QBlh91hySbauihDrSpelJrAMhxUiSUcbjLdX96yDH2TfuzIKnVmgeebs0uqohtEi1Mi7Gs55BNCpOUjxda709IcFqW7IiCzSEf5x-WYJjswrypJsVFRw_Ondovq3hs/s1600/P1010067b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4TSmJ3wwqVA6P4QBlh91hySbauihDrSpelJrAMhxUiSUcbjLdX96yDH2TfuzIKnVmgeebs0uqohtEi1Mi7Gs55BNCpOUjxda709IcFqW7IiCzSEf5x-WYJjswrypJsVFRw_Ondovq3hs/s400/P1010067b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482686206963814514" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am in front of Natural Arch (photo courtesy of Brad).</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">That is when we heard of their ordeal.<span style=""> </span>Apparently, the xateros were hanging out and around noon they began to sneak up to check out Ernesto and the ranger.<span style=""> </span>The ranger acted quickly and ran at them screaming, “Alto, alto!”<span style=""> </span>He fired a few shots in the air from his pistol which had the desired effect of causing the xateros to rapidly flee the area.<span style=""> </span>Sounded like a hell of an adrenaline rush.<span style=""> </span>All was well by the time we had returned.<span style=""> </span>Glad we had the ranger with us!!!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We loaded up and Brad and I changed into dry clothes and got out of there.<span style=""> </span>After dropping the ranger of at the base we headed back to down.<span style=""> </span>Ernesto took over driving as I was completely exhausted from the day’s work.<span style=""> </span>We paused for an hour at my friend Daniel’s place (we’re collaborating on a documentary of this project; check it out) before heading back to town.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwVUHLO-ikjEnQcrFeXvVp3XZMGBzURlw3NacNvBGvXp_LCZKqfQS2K6UF-2yQ0D-yswYKmwCJb0hYyUasZ5e9ghW7UPpJwzH4g49fVCKugiHbxKv2WnsHBMgTsf49fOswPfNacdoXLo_/s1600/P1010085c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwVUHLO-ikjEnQcrFeXvVp3XZMGBzURlw3NacNvBGvXp_LCZKqfQS2K6UF-2yQ0D-yswYKmwCJb0hYyUasZ5e9ghW7UPpJwzH4g49fVCKugiHbxKv2WnsHBMgTsf49fOswPfNacdoXLo_/s400/P1010085c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482686187613518722" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Chillin' at Daniel's on the way home; Daniel, myself and Ernesto (photo courtesy of Brad).</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The next morning, Brad and I were reviewing one of the videos shot down into the nest when I glimpsed a brief patch of red and white in the corner of the screen.<span style=""> </span>We viewed it again, frame by frame…Two Chicks!!!<span style=""> </span>Yes!!!<span style=""> </span>They looked nearly fully developed.<span style=""> </span>Cool.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCEDEWlRSVSeifv_a3sBOEBRFtu-ApbWmhsm3tWI4ZuxsiWD6tTTzH2cZLf8dE3qDCt1nLieNkxeH8-eHgpw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">A glimpse of two macaw chicks.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We received some hard rain yesterday so I am watching the weather before heading out on the next trip.<span style=""> </span>If all works out well then we’ll be heading to the Macal River tomorrow.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-89169942764320245372010-06-09T17:07:00.000-07:002010-06-11T19:31:57.943-07:00Macaw marathonKristi, Ernesto, Brad and I headed out last Thursday to the Monkeytail Branch via Las Cuevas Research Station. As usual, the roads proved exciting and we briefly got stuck in one rut.<br /><br />After dropping into the top of the river valley we unloaded the gear and headed down the trail with the kayaks on the 'yak cart' system. I went maybe two hundred feet down the road when the back left wheel fell off. Kristi put the wheel back on and within a hundred feet the wheel fell off again. Then again! Then both back wheels. This second attempt with the cart system was an utter failure and we abandoned the wheels and returned to dragging the kayaks. It takes a toll but it SO much faster and easier...especially downhill. No vines getting stuck on the axles or wheels getting jammed on small logs.<br /><br />We reached the bottom to find the river at a nice level and moving at a non-terrifying speed. After enjoying a dip in the river with Kristi we ate lunch. We relaxed for a few before Ernesto and Kristi had to extract themselves from the Chiquibul and Brad and I headed downstream.<br /><br />Within an hour we reached our only nest along the Monkeytail. We shot the line over and up Brad went to check the nest and retrieve the temperature loggers. As Brad ascended, I pulled on the rope to help him maneuver around some vine. In the process a dead branch dislodged and dropped. I never heard this and looked up just in time for it to smack my cheek...right below my eye!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYvzJKcNMaLND0c0Ya2dBtCbWVKtCSKBcZ8vIHLRqCAMkd9wXz_yByqP5dU9vJTs9eS_4v7tx0O_I9i1j0CCoPttpCRA1NfnvyBsuEoiWcSwgnWTLFi8eGBv0WOAd5fURye8Sh-qruETO/s1600/P6030003b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYvzJKcNMaLND0c0Ya2dBtCbWVKtCSKBcZ8vIHLRqCAMkd9wXz_yByqP5dU9vJTs9eS_4v7tx0O_I9i1j0CCoPttpCRA1NfnvyBsuEoiWcSwgnWTLFi8eGBv0WOAd5fURye8Sh-qruETO/s400/P6030003b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188578030551218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am with a nice shiner emerging.<br /></span></div><br />The nest was empty and we thought that despite previous activity on the past two trips, there must be something wrong with the site. However, after the trip we were able to get better looks at the photos into the cavity and noticed macaw and raptor feathers in the cavity. Maybe there was some sort of struggle from a predation attempt. I now think that the nest cavity itself was suitable but that a predatory bird cut the breeding cycle short.<br /><br />We paddled the rest of the afternoon, enjoying the fact that we weren't struggling with a sinking kayak or boulder fields. Smooth sailing...until we came around the bend. A large group of young xateros were relaxing on the bedrock apparently after bathing following a day's work. Two of them bolted into the jungle upon our arrival. 'No problema, no problema!,' I called out. I briefly explained our business as we passed by. The rest of them were uneasy but had calmed down so we passed without incident.<br /><br />We traveled another km or so down the river before reaching a previously used campsite. We set up and bathed before relaxing for the evening...what a start!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVfFwuFUMAggTGHDz7bsPVXr2lpRYpbHXt7pFY8AMouc8Ug6lIKuhl5H1Ci6OYxZrCY6jSIYzAL3DkTF54uP2m07xCV9eACErkwCOI9u5k6wX31xBhRxI2KDL8rXduTlq1hbfx6iMniPg/s1600/IMG_4252b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVfFwuFUMAggTGHDz7bsPVXr2lpRYpbHXt7pFY8AMouc8Ug6lIKuhl5H1Ci6OYxZrCY6jSIYzAL3DkTF54uP2m07xCV9eACErkwCOI9u5k6wX31xBhRxI2KDL8rXduTlq1hbfx6iMniPg/s400/IMG_4252b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188942766503154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Macaw pair courtesy of Brad.<br /></span></div><br />We continued downstream the next morning...early...quickly reaching the confluence of the Raspaculo Branch and heading upstream. By 7:30am we reached our first nest. We unloaded our gear and went up to the nest tree only to find fresh climbing spike marks. I climbed up and confirmed that, indeed, no chicks were present and the nesting attempt had failed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr2mfHWWlcwPXhl3d2in-QsbILvWH6iCd5PPmtPC9v6aA997TxINrcaSYPsX-dngIKohPmtIa-cqOs4RU98bHjm746O8SMWzeTQMgRWgPE4r2pYNSrCPInVpBMnd_lVSV0zI1BbfkFN6J/s1600/IMG_4247b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr2mfHWWlcwPXhl3d2in-QsbILvWH6iCd5PPmtPC9v6aA997TxINrcaSYPsX-dngIKohPmtIa-cqOs4RU98bHjm746O8SMWzeTQMgRWgPE4r2pYNSrCPInVpBMnd_lVSV0zI1BbfkFN6J/s400/IMG_4247b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188946218912354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am estimating canopy cover from the nest.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJfM3w6Rz9u9e9hhMtWUztRpeyB3fjesqNFiXh1QmN-1nwm9GHvoHX3GoeasPV7iKs6cXJpofbv2VF2iuGBT655byMrnGiDmXhRwttXbPBZU5nUOf6d80khuXj5m8GT9wpvfnk6CvGmsi/s1600/P6040012b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJfM3w6Rz9u9e9hhMtWUztRpeyB3fjesqNFiXh1QmN-1nwm9GHvoHX3GoeasPV7iKs6cXJpofbv2VF2iuGBT655byMrnGiDmXhRwttXbPBZU5nUOf6d80khuXj5m8GT9wpvfnk6CvGmsi/s400/P6040012b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188566955849986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View down the river from the nest entrance.<br /><br /></span></div>We continued upstream, pushing hard against the fast current...bend after bend...km after km. I noticed that we were getting close to the next nest but both of us sensed that something wasn't right. Where was the nest tree. There was one with a cavity near the river but it didn't seem quite as it should. As Brad paddled up ahead he noticed the tree lying behind the riparian vegetation and stretching out to the river.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-NXD_PA3C4ate1jF9u-5j9HiwScXeD-ogEtu4n60JkPWyVYA-eymIiKA9TntJjYxo82tql_AT9fJLPEOddy6hy4Fa0RJ1_vl2MjzTxCSDZTvozrBQ0BVfZKxdpR2m8j6pnqvgNDFEMe2/s1600/P6040021b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-NXD_PA3C4ate1jF9u-5j9HiwScXeD-ogEtu4n60JkPWyVYA-eymIiKA9TntJjYxo82tql_AT9fJLPEOddy6hy4Fa0RJ1_vl2MjzTxCSDZTvozrBQ0BVfZKxdpR2m8j6pnqvgNDFEMe2/s400/P6040021b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187987453707170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Poached tree chopped down.<br /><br /></span></div>Those poachers cut down the tree and then hacked a hole into the backside of the nest to reach the chicks...if they survived the fall. It was awful. Another great nest site gone...forever.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-nQddgmIoRb9WTsPokht2r1dVmHGmJXK_IShYGHOJABnAouYSDQGw8tItbRwwfC6xtpIub5C0j4h9V98oBLyl6BB3HNKHsre3JIppsoQDvi_A2FENPq6wX_ZhpT9KOs8Os7NwrswUXlr/s1600/P6040022b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-nQddgmIoRb9WTsPokht2r1dVmHGmJXK_IShYGHOJABnAouYSDQGw8tItbRwwfC6xtpIub5C0j4h9V98oBLyl6BB3HNKHsre3JIppsoQDvi_A2FENPq6wX_ZhpT9KOs8Os7NwrswUXlr/s400/P6040022b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187983227842386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cavity chopped into from the backside of the tree.<br /><br /></span></div>We headed upriver, we passed the former xatero camp, now reduced to a tangle of logs and vines. I was a bit nervous and was relieved to see this area uninhabited. Although, they might have been the ones that poached the nests on the way out...maybe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Q9dZu3yP5Y-z8MRM7OHWvNlud10FNZyyV5mluR_4KgBxlqwqvdEImf2tpr_jZcF7Gsi5-zAKK32oYj8qYfRlytCzr5rGr81sETxY4XVmDuAczwS7p6TDLqA70SsQ789i6cuNfO1TXU1f/s1600/P6050014b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Q9dZu3yP5Y-z8MRM7OHWvNlud10FNZyyV5mluR_4KgBxlqwqvdEImf2tpr_jZcF7Gsi5-zAKK32oYj8qYfRlytCzr5rGr81sETxY4XVmDuAczwS7p6TDLqA70SsQ789i6cuNfO1TXU1f/s400/P6050014b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187968988075602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad stapling a temperature datalogger into a nest.</span><br /></div><br />We paddled hard and approached the southern tributary where we always find pairs feeding and socializing. They didn't disappoint. We even recognized a pair from their distinctive calls. Not far up I spotted a macaw head sticking out of a cavity. Yes! As we observed the other parent flew in and soon they were both on the cavity entrance. New nest...but it was late in the day so I decided to check it on the way back downstream and instead begin to look for a campsite over the next hour before the sun went down.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jWsFl1vR6gFOlYp2a9Vp2efrFIkNhWVqbOUsFX2ylXhA6d2-zL9dHE8bFLs09s7r9fAL1lvMnULDnAPf7TiBAJv3hDczPVqKJc5T_N2rXudQY6P8OJ4KbMbOzRGOITlSqBC39JVfx6Rs/s1600/P6030003c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jWsFl1vR6gFOlYp2a9Vp2efrFIkNhWVqbOUsFX2ylXhA6d2-zL9dHE8bFLs09s7r9fAL1lvMnULDnAPf7TiBAJv3hDczPVqKJc5T_N2rXudQY6P8OJ4KbMbOzRGOITlSqBC39JVfx6Rs/s400/P6030003c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188558894632498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Macaw pair attempting a second clutch.<br /><br /></span></div>We looked and looked but of course that is when the terrain is either too steep and vegetation too thick or you are in a floodplain. So we kept going and going. Then I spotted a nice 'shelf' on the edge of a floodplain and hill. We paddled to the shore and pulled our kayaks up onto a bank. I grabbed my machete and chopped my way uphill to the shelf. Near the top I suddenly encountered a well-used trail. A few feet further was a large clearing with a recently-abandoned camp. It was like encountering a small trash dump in the middle of paradise...very weird and creepy. The hut was still there with a tarp on it. I didn't stay to investigate but instead got the hell out of there and informed Brad before we made a hasty retreat into our kayaks and upstream.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0TcFJh6GKFl3JdT-Ix3-nerHFa_a4j0Wq3b5yI20Bystm3pSi4x0Nw-MugfR9Z7m1u4UWIlzRET7lB9mgaS9uo3mKuS8ulpEPsEYYdZMitJYXwy50SIRVHvuKTIEqvCsAoZylRcN0vIV/s1600/IMG_4261b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0TcFJh6GKFl3JdT-Ix3-nerHFa_a4j0Wq3b5yI20Bystm3pSi4x0Nw-MugfR9Z7m1u4UWIlzRET7lB9mgaS9uo3mKuS8ulpEPsEYYdZMitJYXwy50SIRVHvuKTIEqvCsAoZylRcN0vIV/s400/IMG_4261b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188582688744210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Relaxing at camp (photo courtesy of Brad).<br /><br /></span></div>We finally found a decent camp up a moderate slope below a small rapid. As Brad shuttled gear up the slope, I began to clear the campsite. We soon had it set up and were back down in the river getting cleaned up before relaxing and having dinner.<br /><br />The following morning we headed up to Cushtabani, the terminus of our upstream paddling and the residence of three nests. We stopped at the first one to find it abandoned and failed, apparently from predation. We skipped the middle one and continued to the farthest nest in order to find a good lunch spot. We were absolutely famished!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWv-v9J01s_Wla7p1TJH2-okUrqMQRlGKYUwgyVyY0IMAp-g_NIb7zPagkdnWVh4yR0xzh8q6DYrXdStYvuKEVlYAYbozpsdHe2i5wzK5-RnKtJ5WQhx6kVkeRdS0yCZa5XOZWlnSpP1I/s1600/P6050027b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWv-v9J01s_Wla7p1TJH2-okUrqMQRlGKYUwgyVyY0IMAp-g_NIb7zPagkdnWVh4yR0xzh8q6DYrXdStYvuKEVlYAYbozpsdHe2i5wzK5-RnKtJ5WQhx6kVkeRdS0yCZa5XOZWlnSpP1I/s400/P6050027b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187958779317314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Angry macaw chick.<br /><br /></span></div>I climbed the next nest. What an exhausting tree. The bottom half is covered in a tangled thicket of vines. Brad had to use all of his strength to pull me to the side of the vines as I ascended, which is really hard to do with diagonal tension on the rope! I was whipped before I reached the halfway point. After several breaks I reached the cavity and put my hand on the entrance lip. Just as I pulled my face close to the nest entrance a large, nearly fully mature chick lunged at me! It hissed and snapped...reflexes took over and I let go! I then swung back over and snapped a few photos. Two fully grown chicks! Yes!!! There wasn't enough room to install the temperature logger in there so they will need to wait for the next visit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDPs0q2ifeG3mrR6gWOZ75vZUGZK-lj-NEhXL9j3ykqLopD2pWCcRRncXmLObTDkQZM0uJcuRHmCx_2svD2cQyXrHn3cSJKGy0Hj8nQYyuewMjfUJbrZTZJ4ojZPQ3C7WGeAsvNH21TqO/s1600/P6050037b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDPs0q2ifeG3mrR6gWOZ75vZUGZK-lj-NEhXL9j3ykqLopD2pWCcRRncXmLObTDkQZM0uJcuRHmCx_2svD2cQyXrHn3cSJKGy0Hj8nQYyuewMjfUJbrZTZJ4ojZPQ3C7WGeAsvNH21TqO/s400/P6050037b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187954640541682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Wary macaw chick.<br /><br /></span></div>We packed up, fell into the river for a few minutes and chugged a liter of water before heading back to the second nest. Brad climbed this one...straight through the vines. At the top he stretched his arm into the cavity entrance and heard something scratching up to the entrance. A large chick was trying to go after his hand as he took photos of the two chicks in the nest. Looks like we're having some success at the top of the Raspaculo Branch.<br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eP5mmghe1AcHbsPVFaoUF_eR7_cJiKFlbOpAs6EIQEY1YB-pfINu8OhxkU5_UwPWtPIAcHvd_iclSyipTtOo_Kc0ZB07YyTG2IX-4xmbnaPC8lxICzqoRj_NCrIudUU2sRD-Jm1RGUSe/s1600/P6050052b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eP5mmghe1AcHbsPVFaoUF_eR7_cJiKFlbOpAs6EIQEY1YB-pfINu8OhxkU5_UwPWtPIAcHvd_iclSyipTtOo_Kc0ZB07YyTG2IX-4xmbnaPC8lxICzqoRj_NCrIudUU2sRD-Jm1RGUSe/s400/P6050052b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187470694160498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad taking a photo into a nest cavity.<br /><br /></span></div>We stumbled back to the kayaks and, again, submerged ourselves into the river. Then the race against daylight was on. We wanted to make it back to the previous camp. We pushed hard and made it just before dark.<br /><br />The next morning we began the much more enjoyable trip DOWNSRTREAM. We stopped at the nest we skipped a day and a half before. The parents were nearby but not at the nest. I climbed this one but there were no eggs or chicks in the nest...weird. I collected habitat data and installed temperature dataloggers before descending.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP127XpywGsCGW204NUqIuyh3xzbgty-dPl9fjveFmc8IiV96zPQYYEYX1QA4TuMgfxVuvCvKUDDtZ5esy9KuWhnOF41HINKhEoI5GWZTqEjsUKCNqXfy2Ot20xXqYlq_gS3XlmTdgkiEy/s1600/P6060064b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP127XpywGsCGW204NUqIuyh3xzbgty-dPl9fjveFmc8IiV96zPQYYEYX1QA4TuMgfxVuvCvKUDDtZ5esy9KuWhnOF41HINKhEoI5GWZTqEjsUKCNqXfy2Ot20xXqYlq_gS3XlmTdgkiEy/s400/P6060064b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187458624948786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View into a deep nest cavity.<br /><br /></span></div>After reaching the ground, Brad noticed two broken eggs below the nest. One of them was empty but the other had a nearly full grown embryo and it wasn't more than a day old. This nest failed between the time we spotted it and when we returned...sadness. We collected habitat data and moved downstream. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQqjpUI7JidQU1hvTPckxJapq7ZTjihJMa6-HocE498heyW0q_XeeI8cmKD5OTO9x3RFwO8QnP5ks7h1Z6noxMphxWHAq8_7xvv94lIGR-N2iO6cRpQXmabShL60ZvlH3QwdmG8S11D7l/s1600/P6060082b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQqjpUI7JidQU1hvTPckxJapq7ZTjihJMa6-HocE498heyW0q_XeeI8cmKD5OTO9x3RFwO8QnP5ks7h1Z6noxMphxWHAq8_7xvv94lIGR-N2iO6cRpQXmabShL60ZvlH3QwdmG8S11D7l/s400/P6060082b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187434765016578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dead embryo below the nest.<br /><br /></span></div>We made it past the confluence with Monkeytail Branch and camped for the night near the river. A starry night was welcome and a nice breeze kept us cool as night came upon us. The next morning we quickly reached the nest at Codd's Camp. Luckily, an apparent poaching attempt had failed and the chopping on the tree didn't deter the macaws from continuing to nest.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9UtxO2TakaI_StPMZeh_13qrq1Nw9ZVklcQg2PkRS6ReDL2C5nUxjeQMUsdbdBZoT2n3WAnO1YTWrB87PTro5fYNPpYhjGLnJZtrPJ96LLPlx5onRzlEY1QGZVTZuAZFZdfwsVSFc315/s1600/P6070088b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9UtxO2TakaI_StPMZeh_13qrq1Nw9ZVklcQg2PkRS6ReDL2C5nUxjeQMUsdbdBZoT2n3WAnO1YTWrB87PTro5fYNPpYhjGLnJZtrPJ96LLPlx5onRzlEY1QGZVTZuAZFZdfwsVSFc315/s400/P6070088b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187428917132002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Poaching footholds cut into the buttress.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3yW9counCMFVji768pbpX7Cd8hpeninYirLd-HBZJIXxivxtT2rUZHCPAIasxtkijDTjP6exglsxMDozBFk5iRapJxIHO7DhVFYO2QZW4UOUwzZAS27OVVsLIh5BzYacGv9fVaxRY_1C/s1600/P6070090b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3yW9counCMFVji768pbpX7Cd8hpeninYirLd-HBZJIXxivxtT2rUZHCPAIasxtkijDTjP6exglsxMDozBFk5iRapJxIHO7DhVFYO2QZW4UOUwzZAS27OVVsLIh5BzYacGv9fVaxRY_1C/s400/P6070090b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481187426281004690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Attempt by poachers to chop down the tree.<br /><br /></span></div>We headed down to the next two nests. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeWK6vdJdlFUXQeHJkw_mAmLB55RYSrg3W6gTmeP-_PQqza3F57oQpekSF_jbvcnRX79D2NBkgW1DBCwQB8lCBSRLEscU6UPqEnJrCw-OJTIFFXmxQ7Dbug3IVcIlLzwNUNXCgKFdj-yl/s1600/P6070096b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeWK6vdJdlFUXQeHJkw_mAmLB55RYSrg3W6gTmeP-_PQqza3F57oQpekSF_jbvcnRX79D2NBkgW1DBCwQB8lCBSRLEscU6UPqEnJrCw-OJTIFFXmxQ7Dbug3IVcIlLzwNUNXCgKFdj-yl/s400/P6070096b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481186763194657170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Macaw pair attending their nest.<br /><br /></span></div>The first one had obviously been climbed in the past few days but the nest only had eggs so they left it, probably to return another days.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qaC8d8wiiinwjxCoCb80oW7HomEM70u_ljeXjnjux_eK9Q8lNrDLtszdPLK3Awfwr2XyZZOFIsAzKwc1PVYW5WnWHyqq5PceMtoyoZbfxCaHgQEdsQn3quGvQb2S2cY2NulAxPCv0n7V/s1600/P6070104b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qaC8d8wiiinwjxCoCb80oW7HomEM70u_ljeXjnjux_eK9Q8lNrDLtszdPLK3Awfwr2XyZZOFIsAzKwc1PVYW5WnWHyqq5PceMtoyoZbfxCaHgQEdsQn3quGvQb2S2cY2NulAxPCv0n7V/s400/P6070104b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481186748115645682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Two macaw eggs.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OR-nqKAYKX0hGiBRBXU5-bVhZHULOtVmf_4BsjrZKBbt8aeOBswgmALKnymMtk0795MxO3WBy6nR1ssxWRPc0qskHyjZk3w0LXXzheV3gtgUJ67RjZ5ELmwXASj8Y-WxPP9ZZrADcuTc/s1600/P6070114b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OR-nqKAYKX0hGiBRBXU5-bVhZHULOtVmf_4BsjrZKBbt8aeOBswgmALKnymMtk0795MxO3WBy6nR1ssxWRPc0qskHyjZk3w0LXXzheV3gtgUJ67RjZ5ELmwXASj8Y-WxPP9ZZrADcuTc/s400/P6070114b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481186744475574226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View from the nest.<br /><br /></span></div>Around the next bend we found a similar story. Poachers had climbed and even left trash at the site. After multiple attempts at shooting a line over, at a steep angle that had the metal ammo plummeting down upon us on repeated attempts, I got the line over an ascended. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LJl5t3C5GnL66zyauHm1cQae_5gTVIdqZzf0dAAxZaYsGilW4XN4BG4gd1vm8AyHq2wuVKwvT1hvIFbmz3_vzDEQvkHhYubAMHRxbP3lAwp3zdOZ_71KbL3DkGocJ3ufX8_0trA2sWQh/s1600/P6070121b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LJl5t3C5GnL66zyauHm1cQae_5gTVIdqZzf0dAAxZaYsGilW4XN4BG4gd1vm8AyHq2wuVKwvT1hvIFbmz3_vzDEQvkHhYubAMHRxbP3lAwp3zdOZ_71KbL3DkGocJ3ufX8_0trA2sWQh/s400/P6070121b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481186736316544562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">More damage by poachers.<br /><br /></span></div>The parents sat nearby and screamed on occasion. I was pleasantly surprised to find four eggs in the nest. After seeing this I quickly installed a temperature logger and descended.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aoIdN2b7x4xpetFa-1_o1R-a-muYFrEq1RoLZDdbxEpkv_qSdfheKUt8F2Kl9WrDvyynxW4NOgb-HoPNJwMbteh0YAQ4Gw2LuAn8RL1P-ho9m4pHN5oIJ94adfyt6G83otLOHgT1_CPy/s1600/P6070125b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aoIdN2b7x4xpetFa-1_o1R-a-muYFrEq1RoLZDdbxEpkv_qSdfheKUt8F2Kl9WrDvyynxW4NOgb-HoPNJwMbteh0YAQ4Gw2LuAn8RL1P-ho9m4pHN5oIJ94adfyt6G83otLOHgT1_CPy/s400/P6070125b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481185780871018306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Four eggs.<br /><br /></span></div>But not before taking a few photos of the parents...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime0I4l9U5XkH5XpHiKhoBqbiEohD1sIr6O3QRjS2lvDo3LUE5RqPLtsh-lbtCvnMlvKtC7Ug1hyphenhyphenax8NdwAsCEG1mDl-fCMMj_H4YPWy5-IE9Gj9xuzxUApU_G2MmZC9fcc7sUPybUf6KD/s1600/P6070128b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime0I4l9U5XkH5XpHiKhoBqbiEohD1sIr6O3QRjS2lvDo3LUE5RqPLtsh-lbtCvnMlvKtC7Ug1hyphenhyphenax8NdwAsCEG1mDl-fCMMj_H4YPWy5-IE9Gj9xuzxUApU_G2MmZC9fcc7sUPybUf6KD/s400/P6070128b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481185778412937698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Parent at the nest.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMG1MwSqBLSQHQfRJLdsHOm6KNXdEmeZMlh9Y96rrkOLDh3gTFiikGOAtzZUmaJpDtPRep0b0UFvwuPr0Z_POUtwQBWBR8aTgUNmXXEiRsXfe1U9xsyyV_C-0jXUL4zrGDP8eVBFpL1ji/s1600/P6070130b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMG1MwSqBLSQHQfRJLdsHOm6KNXdEmeZMlh9Y96rrkOLDh3gTFiikGOAtzZUmaJpDtPRep0b0UFvwuPr0Z_POUtwQBWBR8aTgUNmXXEiRsXfe1U9xsyyV_C-0jXUL4zrGDP8eVBFpL1ji/s400/P6070130b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481185769524282994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Parents at nest, watching me.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwqvrEA0XiajWAQFQ9LlnAE7LSBjymR94OgLh1H-Bbq36ltk1ZvP9XOtIwn-V8zSUBg8luX_gzOVIyaXIfIl_8qP00MOV-LlHOHh_lpiRCwwG4zbZPo7e7HbTRtMzBEzsmK37PhoxGCac/s1600/IMG_4256b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwqvrEA0XiajWAQFQ9LlnAE7LSBjymR94OgLh1H-Bbq36ltk1ZvP9XOtIwn-V8zSUBg8luX_gzOVIyaXIfIl_8qP00MOV-LlHOHh_lpiRCwwG4zbZPo7e7HbTRtMzBEzsmK37PhoxGCac/s400/IMG_4256b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481188582464871250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am feeling a bit tired.<br /><br /></span></div>We were both physically and mentally, and emotionally drained...the sun was beating down upon us with no relieve to be found on the reservoir. We paddled somewhat lethargically down to the spring at the confluence with the Macal. After pulling up under the waterfall there and getting a refreshing 'shower' and filling up with water we decided to forgo camping and the spring and heading for Ballerina for the night. Then we would only have to paddle to the opposite bank in the morning to check out that nest and call it a trip.<br /><br />It worked well, with the wind to our back and good company to make the arduous trip a bit more enjoyable. It's funny to see us crossing the reservoir during the afternoon...all covered up with bandanas, etc. Look like banditos.<br /><br />We enjoyed a nice evening and a relaxing morning the next day before heading over to the nest. It was just a rediculous time getting the line over the tree. After we finally did, Brad got nailed in the back by a falling branch. But we were successful in getting the rope secured in a good spot and Brad climbed up. Despite the recent activity and the presence of a lot of feathers in the area, the nest lacked any young. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4alQ-sYFwAyzKO4I1LwAaPbzkOPemb51e2R4oI-SoGIjnZkk0D3gbLaD9IBnmlhjQatTJVyB9W_kHulwwhm3e6s3AD9ursjIax3ejLRzYksnmt3gNIeaym8nM7cf4dcjXFk8rZ67YeeXo/s1600/P6080138b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4alQ-sYFwAyzKO4I1LwAaPbzkOPemb51e2R4oI-SoGIjnZkk0D3gbLaD9IBnmlhjQatTJVyB9W_kHulwwhm3e6s3AD9ursjIax3ejLRzYksnmt3gNIeaym8nM7cf4dcjXFk8rZ67YeeXo/s400/P6080138b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481185766195502482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad at the nest across from Ballerina Rd.<br /><br /></span></div>We paddled back across and relaxed for an hour before getting picked up by Ernesto and our friend Carlos. A hell of a long journey, with much sadness, but it was good to FINALLY get back to Cuishtabani. <br /><br />Now on to Chiquibul Branch...Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-24198491163943681582010-05-31T16:57:00.000-07:002010-05-31T18:17:15.559-07:00Trip up the reservoirWell the rain has persisted but I think it is beginning to slack off a bit...hope it continues to slacken.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'm almost a week into my treatments for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leishmaniasis">leishmaniasis</a>. I have the cutaneous form. Left the photos at the house...hope some of you aren't bummed about missing out on those. Only two more days of injections left and then Brad and I can head back upstream.<br /><br />While making my way through these treatments, Roni Martinez - conservation officer for <a href="http://www.coppolaresorts.com/blancaneaux">Blancaneaux Lodge, </a>allowed me to go along with three guests on a 'day with a ranger' tour lead by FCD. These are trips designed to show the lodge guests what it's like to patrol the Chalillo dam reservoir on a motorboat and gives them a chance to see scarlet macaws, tapirs, crocs, and other wildlife. More importantly, it provides the only other monitoring activities out there besides the two gringos kayaking in the Chiquibul. This trip was much easier than kayaking...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2PAYnf2v5gbyIdM4Ew4Bbz52I-8nkQaPb3RUTqR1HI_xOXZqzxm9X14EkmuaLgSQ5bTut3hKeTqu3AuHXeGEJka7R8b_j6Bc0iHV1fuvsaHa0JoCbm3lToOE9VhC60qoBHEKVoLo4Ua/s1600/P5290007b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2PAYnf2v5gbyIdM4Ew4Bbz52I-8nkQaPb3RUTqR1HI_xOXZqzxm9X14EkmuaLgSQ5bTut3hKeTqu3AuHXeGEJka7R8b_j6Bc0iHV1fuvsaHa0JoCbm3lToOE9VhC60qoBHEKVoLo4Ua/s400/P5290007b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606694432473938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Historic nest location that is now active along the Raspaculo.<br /><br /></span></div>It ended up being a very productive trip; three new nests were observed, two completely new nest locations and one historic nest that is now active...very cool!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkFslzw_53Z6M3R0ojsotsvkHyyC-ogM5HhlQAEZy5TUHgFmLdiK5K9mGBkjJD4C3l21wyARi0AmODiexANQQ-yDzE88BKH-pC8RrlcSKh4sKlVBXMMcVydX8Ta5pJ8gAmMufmWvDywgC/s1600/P5290014b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkFslzw_53Z6M3R0ojsotsvkHyyC-ogM5HhlQAEZy5TUHgFmLdiK5K9mGBkjJD4C3l21wyARi0AmODiexANQQ-yDzE88BKH-pC8RrlcSKh4sKlVBXMMcVydX8Ta5pJ8gAmMufmWvDywgC/s400/P5290014b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606704605781474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Small, secretive cavity at a new nest location.<br /></span></div><br />We were also able to visit several other nests and most are still active. One we know failed due to one of the parents being shot and the carcass left near the nest...disturbing and sad. This was discovered the week before by FCD staff. The tree was also partially chopped. It was still standing a couple of days ago...very strange. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl50Xy3ykDQNn2GhgiC6K_cG595AsV4cSrzq6kIA011nBmKP4Fa2oQECcA6drzJhxIVx6F2ER09LvzpfQ1r-_3E80coKkvsZF6p1iRERt6nej4-KRCfHCmJiwfCuwxYIvlTYGuXFU7b8X/s1600/DSCN1236c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl50Xy3ykDQNn2GhgiC6K_cG595AsV4cSrzq6kIA011nBmKP4Fa2oQECcA6drzJhxIVx6F2ER09LvzpfQ1r-_3E80coKkvsZF6p1iRERt6nej4-KRCfHCmJiwfCuwxYIvlTYGuXFU7b8X/s400/DSCN1236c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606082992212722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Dead adult that was shot and the nest tree with chopped buttresses...very sad<br />(photo courtesy of Lenney Gentle).<br /><br /></span></div>We were also able to see that the next nearest tree had two machete chop marks and climbing spike marks, but only about 15 feet above the ground before they stop. The climber must have abandoned the attempt. Can't say I blame him as the tree is dead and leaning over. However, I'm not sure if the nest is still active. If it is then the parents were both away from the nest foraging.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPKS6C85UlFv3EPoM5YxMS3PZZEb2krjAneFnYL7C_ZwzHQn7BP0grv4qr8ZuHAcGsZF7lAvuxdRZRiGSXOerZFcb-m4rC0Qd6PR1CEbYy6k5Zq4OfTQLFHTiUZ5eOKKtzTl_Cgjbcz_l/s1600/P5290003b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPKS6C85UlFv3EPoM5YxMS3PZZEb2krjAneFnYL7C_ZwzHQn7BP0grv4qr8ZuHAcGsZF7lAvuxdRZRiGSXOerZFcb-m4rC0Qd6PR1CEbYy6k5Zq4OfTQLFHTiUZ5eOKKtzTl_Cgjbcz_l/s400/P5290003b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477606430407272514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Machete chop marks from a poaching attempt.<br /><br /></span></div>After confirming that the rest of the nests were active we headed back to the take out. Overall, it was a good trip and can't wait to get back out there and climb these nest trees.Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-44882039913811694182010-05-25T08:27:00.000-07:002010-05-25T16:32:45.767-07:00Rain, rain go awayAfter spending a week helping the NMSU Belize Field School, Brad and I headed down to the Monkeytail Branch with the help of Kristi and Ernesto. It was nice to get back in the field...or so we were thinking.<br /><br />After picking up Ernesto we headed over the pine ridge and down through the Chiquibul forest reserve to Las Cuevas research station. From there we tried out the new kayak cart system (Kristi calls this the Yak buggy or yuggy for short). The <a href="http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html">last visit to Monkeytail</a> was quite a trial. From that experience we decided to avoid dragging our kayaks overland since they take enough of a beating once on the river. <br /><br />The trip to Las Cuevas was uneventful but that was only the beginning of a very long day. We arrived and were invited to have a cup of coffee and something to eat before heading down the trail. The man in charge, Jimmy Boucher, decided to come out with us and bring his chainsaw. Apparently they had opened up the trail more since our last visit...sweet. We piled into the jeep and headed down Monkeytail trail, sloshing and swerving until finally getting caught up on a large leafcutter ant mound. After unsticking ourselves we made our way to the top of the Monkeytail Branch valley. Time to unload.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuk8lE9TCX_UGVELzJ9QwqNRFyLEoVibFYJFGh7tfkoq3eNfKrFusUl6XLczfRGC9OqMV-2UoiT7CV2J63o67DmFCOaMzomv8tsiiROTn_Mq8oSI0MutAxrR5l9C4IFT9l4K84tTaZhwW/s1600/100_5242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuk8lE9TCX_UGVELzJ9QwqNRFyLEoVibFYJFGh7tfkoq3eNfKrFusUl6XLczfRGC9OqMV-2UoiT7CV2J63o67DmFCOaMzomv8tsiiROTn_Mq8oSI0MutAxrR5l9C4IFT9l4K84tTaZhwW/s400/100_5242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475232923176975634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and I installing the cart system (photo by Kristi).<br /></span></div><br />Brad and I installed the wheels and began the descent. Everything was going so well until we began hitting the tangles of small vines. It's hard to move forward when ten vines are encircling a wheel...stubborn. I soon developed all sorts of new names for the cart system...even threatened it with my machete at one point. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiricB-BeGSSUvuP7kyFrrvWmGjXttNK-gw64k2AAazgjp90Cc0aV9NsrxK6vBYPjp52aWGNtHTAwbk97WJhxmk2Mk-DR9p22y-OuSWlno1LFsBGTZrpmjfhXDk3sd9WQD29zc31ESVi1JI/s1600/100_5269b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiricB-BeGSSUvuP7kyFrrvWmGjXttNK-gw64k2AAazgjp90Cc0aV9NsrxK6vBYPjp52aWGNtHTAwbk97WJhxmk2Mk-DR9p22y-OuSWlno1LFsBGTZrpmjfhXDk3sd9WQD29zc31ESVi1JI/s400/100_5269b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475232932938204850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and I dragging the kayaks down the trail (photo by Kristi).<br /></span></div><br />The short trip was actually exhausting! Pull, pull, chop, pull, chop...grunt/swear. Jimmy was up ahead of us with the chainsaw working on clearing some of the fallen trees. Along the road down we heard three pairs of macaws flying around and making a raucous. One of the pairs I recognized by their distinct calls....interesting. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlDkC6MYTb4URzVulTF5afhQU4NbZ8Hu4J9B4vqo6xGHibB1sEE-kaF93IMHs5R4D1IA1UqBW_lR40zANrSmRnP1xiI5wzv93g35DwQGUyac3kJYWxORKDwmGd6cjlmDx22nv7sMF2vJz/s1600/100_5281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlDkC6MYTb4URzVulTF5afhQU4NbZ8Hu4J9B4vqo6xGHibB1sEE-kaF93IMHs5R4D1IA1UqBW_lR40zANrSmRnP1xiI5wzv93g35DwQGUyac3kJYWxORKDwmGd6cjlmDx22nv7sMF2vJz/s400/100_5281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475233977306969010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and I look on as Jimmy cuts up a tree fallen over the trail (photo by Kristi Drexler).<br /></span></div><br />We made it down far enough where we could hear the river roaring...ROARING! Oh man. We hit the side trail and were shocked by the height and current of the river. None of the boulders or uplifted slabs were visible. Just down river the river was spraying up at the first rapid. Hmmm. Guess we'll try it. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fZMO73hyphenhyphenIiYOMpJU8kBQ3-tkwht5wRdhpFRov194WiB9VvJGrcnN1BjSBpKrPlc-UeUwVrFoHxGK57R0vR_nBC5bT7mKGh-lDeGPFQ598-zAcePkiHuB9YkgDAgxQeSd8WX1e74bHrR5/s1600/P5240003b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fZMO73hyphenhyphenIiYOMpJU8kBQ3-tkwht5wRdhpFRov194WiB9VvJGrcnN1BjSBpKrPlc-UeUwVrFoHxGK57R0vR_nBC5bT7mKGh-lDeGPFQ598-zAcePkiHuB9YkgDAgxQeSd8WX1e74bHrR5/s400/P5240003b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475231385705390786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Flooded out Monkeytail Branch.<br /></span></div><br />Jimmy departed a little but earlier and were followed by Ernesto and Kristi after we got settled down by the river. About twenty minutes later I decided to paddle across the river to a 'slow' spot and check out the approach to the first set of rapids. Whoa! The current was killer and felt extremely unstable. The slow current was fairly powerful as well. I paddled back across where it seemed tame and hopped out of the kayak to walk back upstream. It ended up taking all of my strength to pull myself upstream using the overhanging branches. Scared me...if it's like this here, what is the Raspaculo going to be like? In fact, 2-3 days of more were predicted so I made the decision to call it off. But Kristi and Ernesto were heading out.<br /><br />Brad is a runner so I sent him to try to catch them before they cleared Las Cuevas or, at worst, get on the radio at Las Cuevas and have the FCD rangers send them back at the junction before leaving Chiquibul. I thought there might be a good chance that they got stuck at some point; buying Brad a little time. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr-GmOZTBe31PW93KFmvLrditbHQMAH7Hl-Nnf-DWZhZ9pFTFKDeEx8RDvnr94Bauxf3bgfAN1a4x0w0LVzL-s9Yd7K8_9_L01o2Dve9IZzXJTUhx1ahuPjyZt91hd_WCPK_RRYj1-6Bv/s1600/100_5291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr-GmOZTBe31PW93KFmvLrditbHQMAH7Hl-Nnf-DWZhZ9pFTFKDeEx8RDvnr94Bauxf3bgfAN1a4x0w0LVzL-s9Yd7K8_9_L01o2Dve9IZzXJTUhx1ahuPjyZt91hd_WCPK_RRYj1-6Bv/s400/100_5291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475233988389182482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Ernesto inspecting the stuck in a rut jeep.<br /></span></div><br />As you can see, indeed they got stuck in a nice sized hole. They had to let the jeep cool down while Jimmy ran ahead to get the golf cart to tow them out. Apparently, just after they got unstuck and headed down the road Brad was nearly upon them. He say them as they drove off! and he had to run another mile to Las Cuevas. Luckily they were still there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvXDS-dIE9K3XZXW-8F3uh7G0HvTW_bwDccAudhAK2OUXaPNKdlBr8VVUQ4ICVOhbcbtSddYVQHpTEamYWdSZm4YmT8WXXoqnNRkvmqPeknYQdNLTmPP5paF9fqAVr2bsnVVEadzuqJFd/s1600/P5240005b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvXDS-dIE9K3XZXW-8F3uh7G0HvTW_bwDccAudhAK2OUXaPNKdlBr8VVUQ4ICVOhbcbtSddYVQHpTEamYWdSZm4YmT8WXXoqnNRkvmqPeknYQdNLTmPP5paF9fqAVr2bsnVVEadzuqJFd/s400/P5240005b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475231387753168514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Potential new nest along the Monkeytail trail.<br /></span></div><br />While Brad was gone I decided to head up the road and check out a decent-looking cavity. So I hiked up the road. I reached the cavity and noticed something dark inside it. Suddenly a long, lanky, streaky bird flew out and away...hmmm. Then a macaw pair flew in and one perched above and the other perched atop the cavity. It continually looked into and worked around the cavity but would never enter the cavity. It flew off but quickly returned and attended the cavity entrance for twenty to thirty minutes. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTxyjnxJhmeG7isRNLgyVEc9XKgqXvdF2wW92a7DT31-OloCpPWrf66HZK2QjiyVgiLNY-dzCYmlVzFQD-YA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Wicked-looking caterpillar.</span><br /></div><br />I headed back down the road to check on the boats and grab a snack. After chilling there for a few minutes I hiked back up to the cavity. Nearing the nest, I heard the macaws screaming and moving away. Upon arrival I was surprised to see, perched above the cavity, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-and-white_Hawk-eagle">Black Hawk-Eagle</a>. It spotted me and quickly retreated. All very interesting. It might have tried to go after one of the macaws as a prey item.<br /><br />I then decided to hike a little further up where we first observed macaws in the area. Nearing that location I heard the low rumble of the jeep...YES! Way to go Brad! <br /><br />Kristi stayed at Las Cuevas and the cook came along with Ernesto and Brad to help haul gear up out of the valley. They also brought some much needed lunch. The guys at Las Cuevas rock! I repaired the front rack (which had been ripped off by a branch when coming back in) while they all headed down. We then had the laborious task of hauling all of the bags and kayaks up the road to the jeep...exhausting! But we did it in good time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzfw6wRmNmXj60tIKcG4RwnJCn6GD4kbTSTT-Z963Ku-DYOVUWQzC8XbN1-aHeFDkk95bxfhFT_pZzcShlAGA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad, Jimmy and I doing the kayak train to haul the kayaks up the road.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now the fun begins...driving back out of the slippery, muddy and, now, heavily rutted road. It was crazy. Only got stuck once and not bad. But I swear I was only driving the jeep straight down the road about half the time. Mainly fishtailing and swerving...barely missing trees, stumps and massive holes. Crazy. Meanwhile, Brad was in the back holding the chainsaw...yikes! <br /><br />We made it back and enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading out as darkness approached. Glad to make it out but kinda bummed that we had to delay our nest visits. Oh well, can't defy mother nature. <br /><br />Getting caught up on some much-needed jeep maintenance and looks like I'm heading to Melchor, Guatemala tomorrow for some heavy metal injections...on my birthday! Yes...going to feel like crap. Just got the positive diagnosis on the leishmaniasis. It's for real and it's eating my leg! Time to get rid of this and get back on the river. <br /></div></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-73075734965569451532010-05-13T14:15:00.000-07:002010-05-15T16:05:25.887-07:00Chicken Little and tha gang<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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<w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">After an entertaining night hanging out at Barton Creek Outpost we headed back to the Chiquibul last Friday.<span style=""> </span>Christina, one of the volunteers at the Outpost went with us to see the upper Macal River.<span style=""> </span>We turned off at the road to 1000ft Falls and made our way over Mountain Pine Ridge and down into the Macal River Valley, but not after making at least one wrong turn.<span style=""> </span>We reached the river a little before noon and immediately had a raucous flock of 25 macaws upstream from us in a couple of trees.<span style=""> </span>Some seemed to be harassing the oropendolas in one of the trees.<span style=""> </span>There was a lot of wing displaying, preening, etc happening.<span style=""> </span>At one point a pair flew down to a cavity and began dipping into it.<span style=""> </span>We had seen this before at some other cavities, but they never followed up with nesting in those cavities.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxi-useMd_o62w5MAYxEucy4fFmzFB9afp4ItI6QldhYGu5E-0ko7rH3TBurgn_bAiu7qNbIOmEGzHWiS_lb7DAZQYdM6ehs6wAtimZAS_LKo4epIYn-qBxuLcwLjN5lXztfxhtNR_w_x/s1600/P5070119c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxi-useMd_o62w5MAYxEucy4fFmzFB9afp4ItI6QldhYGu5E-0ko7rH3TBurgn_bAiu7qNbIOmEGzHWiS_lb7DAZQYdM6ehs6wAtimZAS_LKo4epIYn-qBxuLcwLjN5lXztfxhtNR_w_x/s400/P5070119c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470873684632029922" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Macaws dipped into a cavity and it turns out they were thirsty.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After Kristi and Christina took off Brad and I headed upstream to that tree and I climbed it to examine the cavity.<span style=""> </span>After reaching the cavity I peered in and was excited to finally figure out what it was that they were up to…drinking water.<span style=""> </span>More like a tea considering the amount of leafy material in there.<span style=""> </span>That makes a lot of sense.<span style=""> </span>They don’t descend to the rivers to drink and they need to get it somewhere…very interesting.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5MAbdIcUCwDOM4YNJ_C7GQ42iR-jXpzT6DqaEgUPs3HEvEG9eQM5MmoQ0FqkQaB7Si1LN3l9IkXbDVxUQW_B68PGD19QqLP9jh6PFpTiTnb1ZBCCjV990_IgHlT8_tp0ebkdBj_gwNPh/s1600/P5070017b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5MAbdIcUCwDOM4YNJ_C7GQ42iR-jXpzT6DqaEgUPs3HEvEG9eQM5MmoQ0FqkQaB7Si1LN3l9IkXbDVxUQW_B68PGD19QqLP9jh6PFpTiTnb1ZBCCjV990_IgHlT8_tp0ebkdBj_gwNPh/s400/P5070017b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470871756611665202" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad watching macaws forage on Gumbolimbo fruits.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We headed downstream until finding a camp in the evening, but not before getting to watch a flock feeding on dried Gumbolimbo (<i style="">Bursera simaruba</i>) fruits.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Arose at 5:15am the next morning and enjoyed a slow morning of coffee next to the running water, rippling reflections and morning bird chorus.<span style=""> </span>We could hear macaws calling downstream from us.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsV281b_2fN3Uxz2-8LElFoDCnsZ8IPwF94YK7jlEkmgCBsfpFZkfdwmNs32e_CKOAyVSVNu1NVc8e91eDBzX1t4yjM1GuvcMoGAh0AsFISGozbRiSozD3vmnpctj36H_VBtEUhlKDCNy/s1600/P5110102c.jpg"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2-voFdRaGD0HLn74PMSYbrgL-_d3wH6H8tNQyTnOmrMlKAOLCHrmZZIdOtCE01ilPqOaMWMkL8yL2x33D1g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Tapir swimming across the river</span>.
<br /></p>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal">Continued downstream to begin monitoring nests.<span style=""> </span>Saw two tapirs and heard a third.<span style=""> </span>Also, had great looks of an Agami Heron in the riparian vegetation overhanging the river.<span style=""> </span>We reached the first nest around one in the afternoon.<span style=""> </span>It took a little while to get the rope up over the tree but we got it and I ascended to the nest.<span style=""> </span>Both parents were present and the female was in the nest.<span style=""> </span>They flew to a tree nearby to watch and occasionally voice their opinion of our activities.<span style=""> </span>One chick was present in the nest with feathers beginning to emerge.<span style=""> </span>It was interesting trying to pull it out.<span style=""> </span>There was some resistance but the little macaw was not able to do much.<span style=""> </span>I finally had to grab it using the bag.<span style=""> </span>I told Brad later that it feels like holding a small chicken, so I named it Chicken Little.<span style=""> </span>I lowered it to Brad and could hear it calling while he measured and banded it.<span style=""> </span>While he worked up the chick I installed temperature dataloggers.<span style=""> </span>After the work-up, I placed the chick back in the nest and we headed out of there.<span style="">
<br /></span></p><o:p></o:p>
<br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsV281b_2fN3Uxz2-8LElFoDCnsZ8IPwF94YK7jlEkmgCBsfpFZkfdwmNs32e_CKOAyVSVNu1NVc8e91eDBzX1t4yjM1GuvcMoGAh0AsFISGozbRiSozD3vmnpctj36H_VBtEUhlKDCNy/s1600/P5110102c.jpg"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzKCW8RS8BnmfT6m_KjbezXk1lYKE9tD2JNewPQBkqB1B-cxEUtn-k7OdUzqUCJpgQlTZm5l5iBS-oghr_Mjg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Her e I am retrieving a macaw chick.</span>
<br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr07r5kGhEbTNn5w0DDm202JKwqa0_u3VBjCXqn1nhgaP9UO4KiVQmYE0NV4ifyfaetz-bufm9JJI0zMFwsdWyxeNU6tqY_2rbUmbO8MtlMFgnJqg3QWR4naP-pRQ0v7AJbXXzit7OrDO/s1600/P5080028c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr07r5kGhEbTNn5w0DDm202JKwqa0_u3VBjCXqn1nhgaP9UO4KiVQmYE0NV4ifyfaetz-bufm9JJI0zMFwsdWyxeNU6tqY_2rbUmbO8MtlMFgnJqg3QWR4naP-pRQ0v7AJbXXzit7OrDO/s400/P5080028c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470870814424757730" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The chick I called Chicken Little. Brad placed a band on it. Might be the first banded macaw in Belize?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It turned out to be a hot day as we moved down river and had to take the occasional dip in the water.<span style=""> </span>The breeze picked up in the afternoon…always welcome.<span style=""> </span>As we neared the next nest evening was rapidly approaching.<span style=""> </span>So we set up camp about 100m upstream under the canopy in an old campsite of ours.<span style=""> </span>Enjoyed a nice evening although it was a little warmer than the previous night.<span style=""> </span>As evening descended lots of Mealy Parrots flocked around and were making a racket.<span style=""> </span>Could also hear macaws just downstream, which had us excited about the next day.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Awoke the morning of the 9<sup>th</sup> with a chill in the air.<span style=""> </span>It was much colder last night and I had to get into my sleeping bag and zip it up.<span style=""> </span>A fog was blanketing the area giving it a surreal feeling.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were leaving camp after breakfast when Brad noticed that his kayak was taking on water.<span style=""> </span>Man!<span style=""> </span>Another leak.<span style=""> </span>These rivers are just tearing the boats up on each trip now…just going to be one gigantic patch by the end.<span style=""> </span>We pulled up to the take out for the nest and had to re-clear some parts of our trail on the way in.<span style=""> </span>We lost a nut we were using to shoot the line over.<span style=""> </span>Brad dug into the bag to retrieve another and that’s when I realized that I had forgotten to buy more of them.<span style=""> </span>Uh oh.<span style=""> </span>I headed down to the river and scavenged for some ‘appropriate’ river stones.<span style=""> </span>They worked great.<span style=""> </span>Shot the line over and Brad headed up.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFGylEsbQdOTe4-UR_H-_uRrL7KlqF3loH-ZDJWj5ecQ7PZUJiAt116H-3X_UytzjIAFQRBw0d_jNpech2PREE_Xx0jNwJFTs5sPgbH6S5HR4ZoutkwAxTrT4Kvya4sVICYxDqbNf91l2/s1600/P5090075c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFGylEsbQdOTe4-UR_H-_uRrL7KlqF3loH-ZDJWj5ecQ7PZUJiAt116H-3X_UytzjIAFQRBw0d_jNpech2PREE_Xx0jNwJFTs5sPgbH6S5HR4ZoutkwAxTrT4Kvya4sVICYxDqbNf91l2/s400/P5090075c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470870118542626402" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad climbed up to this nest and found that the chick and eggs had been predated.</span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">He made it up to the nest to find that the chick and eggs had been predated.<span style=""> </span>The eggs were crushed and there were remnants of yolks on the lower lip of the entrance.<span style=""> </span>Since we were there, Brad installed the temperature loggers and we collected habitat data.<span style=""> </span>Brad descended and we were just putting our gear into the bags when I heard voices and chopping no more than one hundred feet from us….xateros!<span style=""> </span>I hastily threw everything in the dry bags and headed back to the kayaks at quick clip.<span style=""> </span>They were moving in the same direction as us so I spoke to Brad loudly with the hopes that the xateros would pause long enough for us to get down there first.<span style=""> </span>It worked!<span style=""> </span>We threw our bags on board and paddled downstream.<span style=""> </span>About 100m down I turned around and there they were; two guys standing in the middle of the river watching us watch them.<span style=""> </span>I waved and they waved back.<span style=""> </span>We continued on and I occasionally looked back.<span style=""> </span>They watched us until we were out of sight.<span style=""> </span>They might have been xateros from a legal concession on the pine ridge but they shouldn’t be harvesting xate in the Chiquibul National Park (which is where they were coming from).</p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwqscdpPjRCPDI95DUVERBxGnlhalsYBHOc1QrS1xoQmpSFXcMpplKS0BDaBOT9gWZc1iTDyXxCCZlBGFu70A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Two perspectives of Brad's descent to madness...or the ground.</span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After a bit we had to stop and bilge Brad’s kayak…here we go again.<span style=""> </span>The river is low and we’re constantly dragging so it’ll only get worse and we can’t attempt a repair until we get to flat water on the reservoir.<span style=""> </span>In addition, my feet are beginning to fall apart again…river rot.<span style=""> </span>Brad’s are in better shape than mine.<span style=""> </span>It’s not bad yet but we both know what it can turn into and it can happen quickly.<span style=""> </span>I switched over to going barefoot and just wearing my crocs.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were both amazed at just how low the reservoir was getting.<span style=""> </span>Silt was getting washed away exposing cobble.<span style=""> </span>Little falls and riffles were abundant instead of nonexistent.<span style=""> </span>Ignoring the desolation of the reservoir banks, I could imagine what the river used to look like.<span style=""> </span>Along the way we had excellent looks at King Vultures, including a juvenile which was a first for me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijRWmRS-CzqhjKfgTKcjkGrfcPyKRnBWB3HdSLBjGW6DaIjCdgKNJKL8DAV_bbJkBaVT9OPYjpS8rge1zWLTr6tondNHa5m0jN-NV_38ZjjDQnChKRaG_Uf5P02JkybQCE_Et8StPVmy-/s1600/P5090091b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijRWmRS-CzqhjKfgTKcjkGrfcPyKRnBWB3HdSLBjGW6DaIjCdgKNJKL8DAV_bbJkBaVT9OPYjpS8rge1zWLTr6tondNHa5m0jN-NV_38ZjjDQnChKRaG_Uf5P02JkybQCE_Et8StPVmy-/s400/P5090091b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470869301053353922" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">An adult and juvenile King Vulture.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We approached an area on the reservoir with lots of macaw activity on previous trips.<span style=""> </span>Again there were some pairs socializing and feeding.<span style=""> </span>A little further down we were paddling and observing when Brad spotted a female sticking out of a cavity…score!<span style=""> </span>One for Brad.<span style=""> </span>We grabbed our gear and hustled over to the nest.<span style=""> </span>Hmmmm…there was a thick layer of basket vine surrounding the bottom half of the trunk.<span style=""> </span>Good protection with all of those nasty spines.<span style=""> </span>Again, it took a while to get the line over.<span style=""> </span>Lost our last good stone and had to try using little pieces of slate stone (light weight and flaky).<span style=""> </span>But we got it over.<span style=""> </span>Brad had to pull the line over as I ascended in order to help me avoid impaling myself on the nasty vines.<span style=""> </span>I reached the nest and found it occupied by two sleeping chicks; one 10 days old and the other about 15 days old; too young to band.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxW2bAZEC93undWn65R98Z_7DmXk6yNJcFGYGXJSI6ZRvzJyLSjbgHoOY4NRuuFC4UaB9ZFaQtBN96VAyyZxqqri3TlwK-Cxd1om_q8L1yzM8e55sklXHy4dFxZu1fVOqQq57RzBdhmx0/s1600/P5090206c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxW2bAZEC93undWn65R98Z_7DmXk6yNJcFGYGXJSI6ZRvzJyLSjbgHoOY4NRuuFC4UaB9ZFaQtBN96VAyyZxqqri3TlwK-Cxd1om_q8L1yzM8e55sklXHy4dFxZu1fVOqQq57RzBdhmx0/s400/P5090206c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470868957475915346" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am next to a new nest with two chicks. Brad measured
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">one chick and determined that it was too small to band.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We packed up and headed down the reservoir.<span style=""> </span>Didn’t get to far…Brad’s boat was so full of water it was practically capsizing!<span style=""> </span>We were 200m downstream when we had to pull over and camp but not before a futile attempt to pull Brad’s boat out to bilge.<span style=""> </span>It weighed so much that the back handle ripped off in the attempt to pull it out.<span style=""> </span>We were able to bilge enough to move a little further down to a shallower bank.<span style=""> </span>We decided to camp on the desolate flat in order to repair the kayak.<span style=""> </span>We pulled the kayaks out of the water, bilged Brad’s kayak and began to set up camp.<span style=""> </span>It’s interesting camping with hammocks on the ground.<span style=""> </span>Threw down a tarp and used sticks to prop up the ends of the hammocks.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I went down and put a patch on Brad’s kayak and then we cooked dinner over a small campfire.<span style=""> </span>The good thing about the desolate flat was no flies or ticks.<span style=""> </span>Again, we had an amazing evening of stargazing; 5 shooting stars as well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Awoke at 5am the following morning to a chorus of mealy parrots, macaws, chachalacas, guans, egrets, herons, woodpeckers and toucans.<span style=""> </span>Headed down to the next nest on the reservoir and found the parents in attendance.<span style=""> </span>We were now going to try out the pole-camera monitoring system.<span style=""> </span>The parents flew to some nearby trees to watch our fiasco unfold.<span style=""> </span>After several attempts at getting the length of the pole correct, the housing hit a lateral branch, snapped off and plummeted, with Brad’s camera, some forty feet to the ground exploding on impact.<span style=""> </span>The housing was trashed.<span style=""> </span>Hmmm…guess that’s that.<span style=""> </span>That sums up an hour of effort into a few depressing sentences.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We spent the rest of the day checking to see if two other nests were active, which they were, and getting off the reservoir due to the leaky kayak.<span style=""> </span>I had to shake myself out of a state of depression and move on.<span style=""> </span>A few hours of jovial fellowship did the trick.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxaowHjYIlls92evM3W-mDiSJghc0RfOTS7FSSfdTZ6HZ_fbXFC0B47skU95Ztkw2x2ZAZsFEAPjdalZoL7xA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Followed a tapir across the reservoir to the Mountain Pine Ridge side.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We arrived in the late afternoon and headed directly to the upper reach of a nearby stream for fresh cold water and shade.<span style=""> </span>Relaxed there for a while and then set up camp.<span style=""> </span>The evening approached and we went for a walk down to a peninsula to watch a flock of macaws across the reservoir.<span style=""> </span>Spooked a few white-tailed deer.<span style=""> </span>Headed back to camp and enjoyed a relaxing evening under the pines and stars.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We had most of the next day to kill before our scheduled pick up.<span style=""> </span>Spent time mending some holes in pants and patching up holes in dry bags.<span style=""> </span>Now what to do?<span style=""> </span>This project keeps me so busy that I rarely have idle time during the day.<span style=""> </span>In Belize, slate carving is a big sell with the tourists and the area surrounding the camp is loaded with slate.<span style=""> </span>So Brad and I collected various sizes of slate and took them back to camp.<span style=""> </span>I ended up carving two pieces; one of a macaw sticking out of a nest cavity and the other of a perched macaw.<span style=""> </span>Turned out well for a first attempt.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsV281b_2fN3Uxz2-8LElFoDCnsZ8IPwF94YK7jlEkmgCBsfpFZkfdwmNs32e_CKOAyVSVNu1NVc8e91eDBzX1t4yjM1GuvcMoGAh0AsFISGozbRiSozD3vmnpctj36H_VBtEUhlKDCNy/s1600/P5110102c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsV281b_2fN3Uxz2-8LElFoDCnsZ8IPwF94YK7jlEkmgCBsfpFZkfdwmNs32e_CKOAyVSVNu1NVc8e91eDBzX1t4yjM1GuvcMoGAh0AsFISGozbRiSozD3vmnpctj36H_VBtEUhlKDCNy/s400/P5110102c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470867726798370066" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">We tried our hand at slate carving. Here is my nesting macaw. Brad is working on a Tapir.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kristi made the long journey down from La Milpa field station in the northern part of the country to come out and pick us up.<span style=""> </span>Being exhausted by the time she reached San Ignacio, my friend Ernest Garcia and his family drove the Jeep out to the reservoir to get us.<span style=""> </span>We took them to the stream where the kids played in the waterfall.<span style=""> </span>Then we walked down to the reservoir and showed them crocodile footprints.<span style=""> </span>Afterwards, we loaded up the kayaks and headed back to town.<span style=""> </span>Only Ernesto had been out there so it was nice for the family to see the reservoir and the edge of the Chiquibul; few Belizeans ever get back there and have no idea what it looks like.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshnssByeMZE1x6s_A2zXVS663xBCoMnnY-hX4G88Uvv9wxsKP5B4j2PF62Jvu1QU7szPCp3jQFY6EVp1aSoZwdLMTV8A3NljPR1LIH8zQGS41bI0tURcvfbZLjFm8_Nx5T1MMdq8bubWj/s1600/P5110103b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshnssByeMZE1x6s_A2zXVS663xBCoMnnY-hX4G88Uvv9wxsKP5B4j2PF62Jvu1QU7szPCp3jQFY6EVp1aSoZwdLMTV8A3NljPR1LIH8zQGS41bI0tURcvfbZLjFm8_Nx5T1MMdq8bubWj/s400/P5110103b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470867250602788530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The Garcia family: Zahir, Elenita, Ernesto, Nicole, and Selena.
<br />
<br /></span></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-62928545500279243152010-05-12T11:36:00.000-07:002010-05-14T13:25:38.696-07:00Overnight on Chiquibul Branch<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Ccbritt%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> 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mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Playing catch-up once again on the blog.<span style=""> </span>Sooo much to do between field visits.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One the 1<sup>st</sup> of May, Kristi drove us down to the Chiquibul Branch.<span style=""> </span>We picked up two FCD rangers (Larry and Quiros) to help provide an escort.<span style=""> </span>It takes one and a half hours to drive from where we live in San Ignacio to the ranger base located on the north end of the Chiquibul Forest.<span style=""> </span>It then takes an additional hour and a half of driving down some fairly gnarled roads to reach the Chiquibul Branch.<span style=""> </span>We usually put in at a historic camp called Bordel Camp which is now being used by gold miners.<span style=""> </span>We then have to kayak downstream to visit the one nest we’ve found along this river.<span style=""> </span>However, on this trip we decided to cut off some time and put in at Natural Arch due to recent road improvements (mainly due to the road finally drying up as we reach the heart of the dry season).</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZcc7I8NSrsUi5MOtd8M-PLdX_zB0Yc79hcIKfClFH4tA4qU9LZu2qkfPxPu8X9xGTd1rsLYrzMOGJX2laXAHY0RLdZYA0jp0ve9jBG2GsbWaU15MqJ1IcwaoX0AFPJgxlJzY1y5LtMSx/s1600/100_4148b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZcc7I8NSrsUi5MOtd8M-PLdX_zB0Yc79hcIKfClFH4tA4qU9LZu2qkfPxPu8X9xGTd1rsLYrzMOGJX2laXAHY0RLdZYA0jp0ve9jBG2GsbWaU15MqJ1IcwaoX0AFPJgxlJzY1y5LtMSx/s400/100_4148b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470865210378938290" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Driving down to the Natural Arch</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The trip in was great.<span style=""> </span>We saw curassows and macaws foraging at Christina Camp.<span style=""> </span>But then as we got closer to Natural Arch the jeep began to exhibit some problems operating at low speeds.<span style=""> </span>Mainly there was a rubbing vibration.<span style=""> </span>Couldn’t find any obvious cause to the problem. I had nailed a couple of good rocks the road.<span style=""> </span>On top of that, the starter had begun to act up.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9n_tyUFn5iHp4f46DYE3Ibkb6V7M-k1Uoe1srDvF1g1GukhowVd_cuPtJQ5cZ-WZB3by2jidWXgY6qrnJjAcAt9igsT9zCpK_5qHpv4K00GVBlHxip_ZqgZ6sS4o7plApUpN8gn4Fj7Y/s1600/100_4153b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9n_tyUFn5iHp4f46DYE3Ibkb6V7M-k1Uoe1srDvF1g1GukhowVd_cuPtJQ5cZ-WZB3by2jidWXgY6qrnJjAcAt9igsT9zCpK_5qHpv4K00GVBlHxip_ZqgZ6sS4o7plApUpN8gn4Fj7Y/s400/100_4153b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470865108336378914" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Facing a dilemma of whether to head out or do the field work.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After navigating the last part of the road, which was somewhat tricky with serious jeep-eating ruts that are difficult to see in the tall grass (that’s when having the rangers helped A LOT as they knew where to drive), we ascended a steep rocky incline and parked atop Natural Arch.<span style=""> </span>Now the dilemma.<span style=""> </span>We are way back in the Chiquibul and we’re going to need an extraction the next day using the jeep.<span style=""> </span>The rangers don’t have a reliable vehicle, much less the authorization from my on and off again collaborators, to come get us.<span style=""> </span>On top of that, the radio communication is bad back there and I was worried about the Jeep breaking down and leaving Kristi stranded out there (granted the rangers were there but still…).<span style=""> </span>After agonizing for 10 minutes I decided to go for it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRKOd95cBf_EP8WyTDkbDoACSC_lptBtZ9bsTNA7heN6XqPU7S2Uzwtj1l9S9m8bznJk0gwpWepYzdCEs-4qLKPlUFhOEWuducgDRv_O4D8JCtlrsnggCmNCA1ttkssKj0m7-P4fver9h/s1600/100_4165b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRKOd95cBf_EP8WyTDkbDoACSC_lptBtZ9bsTNA7heN6XqPU7S2Uzwtj1l9S9m8bznJk0gwpWepYzdCEs-4qLKPlUFhOEWuducgDRv_O4D8JCtlrsnggCmNCA1ttkssKj0m7-P4fver9h/s400/100_4165b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470865104920536610" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Larry and myself carrying down a kayak to the river.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kristi and the Rangers assisted with carrying our bags and kayaks down the steep trail to the base of the arch.<span style=""> </span>This was Kristi’s first visit to Natural Arch so that was cool; it’s such an amazing feature.<span style=""> </span>After a few minutes of arranging gear and saying our goodbyes we heading downstream.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLOilil6yXcCUEHKKaYfLooK_Xxxm0Z1eMLqU9Mf4MeT6HBgVHRsKJBPT0Fo246QmvX5oZnfjltDbEiEgxSqGk4w5DT-Zr_v8PZFH8oM_VIBDGEJlEsn-KK3yR9MxhL97ZexnMZAjPYYo/s1600/100_4195b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLOilil6yXcCUEHKKaYfLooK_Xxxm0Z1eMLqU9Mf4MeT6HBgVHRsKJBPT0Fo246QmvX5oZnfjltDbEiEgxSqGk4w5DT-Zr_v8PZFH8oM_VIBDGEJlEsn-KK3yR9MxhL97ZexnMZAjPYYo/s400/100_4195b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470864935395194306" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and I getting our gear in order (photo by Kristi Drexler).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the way down we pulled up right next to a Tapir and spooked it causing it to bolt through the near shore.<span style=""> </span>Also had our first Morelet's crocodile on the Chiquibul Branch at the same spot.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLB5rzkL2vJZL7G_-Rr_Tq_81s1IZQX6Zlsl-VrAghKXFOBu8Y-zaOEalBUu28xDTPkI_9p3Rfewuk5shWmfAC5I9yPIk5g7sAl1mO0INKVqc2_wC0W-KM_z_oDTj57_3uHnRqSDDlt_N/s1600/P5010001b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLB5rzkL2vJZL7G_-Rr_Tq_81s1IZQX6Zlsl-VrAghKXFOBu8Y-zaOEalBUu28xDTPkI_9p3Rfewuk5shWmfAC5I9yPIk5g7sAl1mO0INKVqc2_wC0W-KM_z_oDTj57_3uHnRqSDDlt_N/s400/P5010001b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470864187127932466" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The nest tree at the top of a dead Ceiba.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We reached the nest by 1pm and made our way to the nest, bags and machetes in hand.<span style=""> </span>As we approached, the female climbed out to observe us.<span style=""> </span>Our planned strategy was going to be to climb up the back side utilizing the one live branch left on the tree. However, upon arriving we were shocked to see the live branch and that back section of the tree had torn away from the tree and plummeted.<span style=""> </span>Shoot!<span style=""> </span>Unlike last time, the female took off and watched us with concern from a distance.<span style=""> </span>The egg(s) must have hatched.</p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Now the nest entrance is at the top of this massive Ceiba stump and is facing up.<span style=""> </span>There are no branches above it to shoot a line over.<span style=""> </span>The hardest problem was the height of the tree and weakness of the slingshot.<span style=""> </span>I just couldn’t get a line over the top.<span style=""> </span>We finally had to settle for shooting it over a lower lateral branch.<span style=""> </span>It was snug against the trunk but the day was extremely windy so I was a bit nervous about climbing this tree.<span style=""> </span>After tying the rope off I ‘geared up’ and began the slow, careful ascent.<span style=""> </span>Upon reaching the highest point possible, I could plainly see that there was no way to continue the ascent and access the nest.<span style=""> </span>Had to descend.<span style=""> </span>We know that it’s active but have no idea about the status of the chicks…so frustrating!
<br />
<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We made it back up to Natural Arch and spent a beautiful evening and night camping just below the Natural Arch.<span style=""> </span>We stayed up late relaxing in the coolness of the night. <span style=""> </span>The stars were amazing; we could even see a few peeking under the arch.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JSbqOh2ncOEFtBcFU06cVSTRtH9XmY-dnphakPBZZ8a_50imtgvQ8Hc2Q-N2rYc0FLYc1dnyo7AxQPEWbDHGyJ8F3cJBPTrJCCWwxmxtdgq2C9lUnonth0mslGYWTFcTRjN8MW9uYVdK/s1600/P5020048b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JSbqOh2ncOEFtBcFU06cVSTRtH9XmY-dnphakPBZZ8a_50imtgvQ8Hc2Q-N2rYc0FLYc1dnyo7AxQPEWbDHGyJ8F3cJBPTrJCCWwxmxtdgq2C9lUnonth0mslGYWTFcTRjN8MW9uYVdK/s400/P5020048b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470864183269286562" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Natural Arch from our campsite.</span>
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlpe-GKtmARXPFcLQcw25lUZV2pdMAx7OkstfigK4B59WvjGhTPlu82-E2ZMIhTYqjsUwOZZPxdhVMOoWkVWgZrm-H0fSSy3vup5HRSF1oMBl7OzLE5E0t1P8wUDF7ZfdJLMqFvIt87A_/s1600/P5020055b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlpe-GKtmARXPFcLQcw25lUZV2pdMAx7OkstfigK4B59WvjGhTPlu82-E2ZMIhTYqjsUwOZZPxdhVMOoWkVWgZrm-H0fSSy3vup5HRSF1oMBl7OzLE5E0t1P8wUDF7ZfdJLMqFvIt87A_/s400/P5020055b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470864174542825362" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad writing in his journal at camp.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The next morning we continued upstream towards Bordel Camp.<span style=""> </span>Made a side trip up Smokey Branch for half a kilometer but no activity.<span style=""> </span>An interesting area this lower Chiquibul Branch is.<span style=""> </span>One nest but no additional macaw activity…none.<span style=""> </span>Reached the camp well before the anticipated pick up time so we relaxed in the river even getting in a short nap while half submerged.<span style=""> </span>Occasionally would watch the small tetras, swordtails and two-spot live bearers swimming me.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7j2PcJdztxhzWEo2U7r0nlkPGFY3l_DKfdVhV3U-QoKrPbFBv3NmKN2_yF1MJiDfw091hdAVMCffvrrzHEBnQ9Nx0q__irIQRcGmHzAQpDNzQBdF3-ufEGULEphwD-GH9Az3fndM1l6H/s1600/P5020067b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7j2PcJdztxhzWEo2U7r0nlkPGFY3l_DKfdVhV3U-QoKrPbFBv3NmKN2_yF1MJiDfw091hdAVMCffvrrzHEBnQ9Nx0q__irIQRcGmHzAQpDNzQBdF3-ufEGULEphwD-GH9Az3fndM1l6H/s400/P5020067b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470863893458640402" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Napping at the take out (photo by Brad Westrich).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kristi arrived in the afternoon bearing BBQ and cold beer.<span style=""> </span>Kristi rocks!<span style=""> </span>Relaxed for a bit before heading out of the Chiquibul.<span style=""> </span>Stayed the night on the way back to town at Barton Creek Outpost to hang out with our friends (and long lost relatives…very long lost) Jim and Jackie Britt.<span style=""> </span>Such a good feel to the place…very chill.<span style=""> </span>A good end to the trip.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnIn7eRYDvlTp9Z5FFZpHswU9fqr8etveHs0KuxUazyJTgGYWU2GoTqKHYUir53-NiLS-a8pySQjoB1v5tsBgcoSgPFyhcku7AA_f2WcWSdBGI5U8ljcmcEwlhhyphenhyphenZiT34Tkp7flDgCMaM/s1600/100_4202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnIn7eRYDvlTp9Z5FFZpHswU9fqr8etveHs0KuxUazyJTgGYWU2GoTqKHYUir53-NiLS-a8pySQjoB1v5tsBgcoSgPFyhcku7AA_f2WcWSdBGI5U8ljcmcEwlhhyphenhyphenZiT34Tkp7flDgCMaM/s400/100_4202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471209923538748946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Myself, Kristi, Larry, Quiros and Brad at the take out.
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<br /></span></div>After the trip we headed to the Mennonite village of Spanish Lookout to have my Jeep further Belizeanized. Good-bye Catalytic Converter. They don't last long down here...
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzznRP00OA-NUq8d4RR8ckl2EeQ5MbNcI0aEH9yaqCTm8bnIbJwyebhIHMfWRJOYY4LSMdq-ffsRHLCbpA0Oe6PAfp3zP9aBjF9fFXK1g7v2zqOB0dT0b-MRrszrB5smjFY9EK8dZ1nor/s1600/100_4206b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzznRP00OA-NUq8d4RR8ckl2EeQ5MbNcI0aEH9yaqCTm8bnIbJwyebhIHMfWRJOYY4LSMdq-ffsRHLCbpA0Oe6PAfp3zP9aBjF9fFXK1g7v2zqOB0dT0b-MRrszrB5smjFY9EK8dZ1nor/s400/100_4206b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470864198458926690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Getting the catalytic converter removed in Spanish Lookout</span><span style="font-size:78%;"> (photo by Kristi Drexler)</span><span style="font-size:78%;">.
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<br />Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-87278692543812276292010-04-28T10:36:00.000-07:002010-04-29T12:46:42.579-07:00Cracked up on the MonkeytailAnother week in the Chiquibul and another week of challenges.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0_2wZMN9tPp9AKeR1foh_ZQixfoApr40uXJJ2krnM9obXJvVrWAMfOU4kRMxt1M53gTLGXV_7jhzMzemXkShRBA4myA3LOGZVujoSy8zqUgcCRzRO4zF4WA6OjTIE53CPX9o2xjc5zhY/s1600/100_4086b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0_2wZMN9tPp9AKeR1foh_ZQixfoApr40uXJJ2krnM9obXJvVrWAMfOU4kRMxt1M53gTLGXV_7jhzMzemXkShRBA4myA3LOGZVujoSy8zqUgcCRzRO4zF4WA6OjTIE53CPX9o2xjc5zhY/s400/100_4086b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465615694289717170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Unloading the Jeep at the end of the road on the Monkeytail trail<br />(photo courtesy of Kristi Drexler).<br /></span></div><br />Kristi and Larry Santos from FCD dropped us off about <a href="http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/2010/03/thatmonkeytail-22-24-mar.html">2km down </a><a href="http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/2010/03/thatmonkeytail-22-24-mar.html">the Monkeytail Trail</a> from Las Cuevas Research Station. There is a large tree fall that blocks the road...and several others after that. We unloaded the jeep and started dragging the kayak at 11am. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeBmB4AQPVYieMG3tDHgUDzUVPtVaN3HVugyEDO_pIILjI9oF8NJQ2PflKfLQkpAVc42W_1xAv837eFXxb7O7PuTF_MxL_N7gVH3TXi6dGyn4EMdbCGtOMQPeXvidrjr2jzHyuG81ZKxx/s1600/100_4101c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeBmB4AQPVYieMG3tDHgUDzUVPtVaN3HVugyEDO_pIILjI9oF8NJQ2PflKfLQkpAVc42W_1xAv837eFXxb7O7PuTF_MxL_N7gVH3TXi6dGyn4EMdbCGtOMQPeXvidrjr2jzHyuG81ZKxx/s400/100_4101c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465615682380073826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and myself getting our gear in order. Larry Santos (FCD ranger) helping us<br />unload </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(photo courtesy of Kristi Drexler)</span><span style="font-size:78%;">.</span><br /><br /></div>The heat was on!!! Within 200m we had to stop and take a break; not good. Panting and drenched, we carried on...stopping at every spot providing some shade. Lightheaded, parched, and through and through exhausted we pushed. It was hard the last time we went down Monkeytail but this was ridiculous. By the time we began the descent into the Monkeytail valley our legs were cramping up and were beginning to fade. The sound of running water was all that kept up going. My kayak flipped over in a deep rut. <br /><br />With the boat flipped over I was shocked to see the rear bilge hole stripped back exposing a large crack. Oh no! This is not good...definitely not good. We turned off the trail and headed down a small side trail to the water. Dropping the kayaks we immediately took our empty water bottles and plunged into the water; not moving for several minutes as our bodies cooled in the clear pool.<br /><br />We then drifted up to the nearest flowing water and downed a couple liters of water. What a relaxing moment. Ahhh, time to get back to the kayak and inspect the damage.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcF6s8SO4jliVeIhBohQaa8FefiX6CmOtUzyNxKuBnD0zmiHB2tPBoHvboLzjhIdmfkYd2AFjYQO8uRcktcTaSpgJsu6wNg0tI9c-b9weyDe_fdr8qCRo6HKc8NrAAAyr3QOgOFVxipGe/s1600/P4240103b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcF6s8SO4jliVeIhBohQaa8FefiX6CmOtUzyNxKuBnD0zmiHB2tPBoHvboLzjhIdmfkYd2AFjYQO8uRcktcTaSpgJsu6wNg0tI9c-b9weyDe_fdr8qCRo6HKc8NrAAAyr3QOgOFVxipGe/s400/P4240103b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465250466914124434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Damaged Hobiewan. Notice the plastic weld job on the front bilge hole. <br />Now had a crack on the rear hole.<br /><br /></span></div>Brad started on a late lunch/early dinner. Considering how drained we were and that repairs were in order, I decided to stay put for the afternoon and camp there. The rear bilge hole was trashed with a large crack on the leading side. Knowing that the epoxy alone wouldn't hold I pulled out a cigarette lighter to melt the plastic and a stick to meld it together. I then applied a bunch of epoxy over it as a protective cover. Hmmm, we'll see. In the meantime, Brad discovered a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird nest right by our camp. There were two eggs being incubated and it tolerated us reasonably well. That evening, after dinner, we chased a couple of macaws around but they were just foraging on Quamwood seeds. Passed out by 7pm.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw4J9tA1qYd_MNZCT6V3s49lo2v3OIqejUjKj0XabWEaPXvAEUK_CiyvUQZ5equdcSZM9B1qkqaz0GbcuKZfQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Rufous-tailed hummingbird near nest.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning we took off down river but not before observing the same pair fly in from downstream to once again feed on the surrounding Quamwood trees. It wasn't long before the repairs on the kayak were rendered useless and the boat quickly took in water. In fact, we were having to bilge it every 20 minutes so it was quite ridiculous. <br /><br />We tried several configurations, for example, putting a couple of bags on the bad boat and riding tandem on the good one. In the end, we had to load all of the bags on the good boat, leaving the cracked boat empty, and then just walk both of the them downstream. Then we just had to bilge every couple of hours.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN20K-J9p-qOrizdpE3y1_jooLHM6tWIED_rTX7anlyoLbK8SH7NSRGvKWRNGnNpdY3D5jo1CXZTySLZ4QCNAN0d7wkLnGj0D-GRKcphhY1I2kxNMXWfjziZjp3AcNiMYcptMMV1EMdMG/s1600/P4250112+%282%29c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN20K-J9p-qOrizdpE3y1_jooLHM6tWIED_rTX7anlyoLbK8SH7NSRGvKWRNGnNpdY3D5jo1CXZTySLZ4QCNAN0d7wkLnGj0D-GRKcphhY1I2kxNMXWfjziZjp3AcNiMYcptMMV1EMdMG/s400/P4250112+%282%29c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465251775710618402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad climbing the nest on Monkeytail and installing a temp sensor.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We reached the only nest discovered on Monkeytail and, sure enough, two macaws were on/in the cavity. We made our way over to it and Brad climbed the nest. To both of our dismay, there was nothing in there; no eggs, no chicks. Strange. No evidence of a failed hatch or predation. Maybe there on the next visit we'll get lucky. <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwfI5bVTb9jvF6HHtTiRWqMymkJ_UVlnyyNudvzykKyzne7JJyHCn5EwSk8wSLLM7mqCjFjYAw9jHprzFwpc6fUm1EAO72cYrSOfFKwkGNxetTMxOTgX2w5C3IGakI3Uhu6ST-Thxia2f/s1600/P4250107c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwfI5bVTb9jvF6HHtTiRWqMymkJ_UVlnyyNudvzykKyzne7JJyHCn5EwSk8wSLLM7mqCjFjYAw9jHprzFwpc6fUm1EAO72cYrSOfFKwkGNxetTMxOTgX2w5C3IGakI3Uhu6ST-Thxia2f/s400/P4250107c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465251284926758738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span>Nest cavity on Monkeytail Branch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></div>In the meantime, Brad installed a couple of temperature dataloggers, one inside and one outside of the cavity. The flies down on the ground level were thick and driving me crazy. I couldn't wait to retreat!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtJoXvwvWxRgPY-R5CoIWYRgMW-4TMlIVqqrwMfWrtnbAURISCAGBGcLOvekyjdUV-guw9nkxUz6SsZHM0CN_ZvEVSFii8SZkWM8YrVcAg0BiTCPdcoZ9i3946oMy5SXsj255VkMphJnr/s1600/P4250119b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtJoXvwvWxRgPY-R5CoIWYRgMW-4TMlIVqqrwMfWrtnbAURISCAGBGcLOvekyjdUV-guw9nkxUz6SsZHM0CN_ZvEVSFii8SZkWM8YrVcAg0BiTCPdcoZ9i3946oMy5SXsj255VkMphJnr/s400/P4250119b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465252223588485730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Lunch fire on the river.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We continued down river to a major tributary and had the standard lunch of quesadillas. It was a great spot with a nice flat rock in the middle of the river for a small fire to cook them while lounging in the river. Afterwards we walked up the tributary a short distance to glass the surrounding area. No activity so we continued downstream. It seems amazing that for all of the apparent 'suitable' habitat, there really is a lack of macaw activity on the Monkeytail Branch.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxS7H7vD5cLOGkfjtKuYtciYZbNT5182-8DH3G_05tMYsjMz5-7yaQqAKX6FTQ8cDwIW0k4WrG2ZvkyahVR' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Pulling the kayaks down the river.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">The rest of the afternoon was an exhausting slog through deep pools and rocky, shallow pools and boulder fields with shallow water coursing around the rocks. Swimming with heavy boots while pulling kayaks is just futile. We pushed on into the late evening looking for a campsite before finally settling for a marginal site on a slope above the water just before dark. <br /><br />We've been sleeping in a little later than usual as a result of our weariness but were on the river early and continued ambling towards the confluence with the Raspaculo Branch. We had a great look at a large Tapir crossing the river, loads of lekking butterflies and an immature Ornate Hawk-Eagle that Brad spotted above one of the leks. What a brutal walk, slipping, bruising shins. The nice part was continuously being in the cool, clear water and not in the searing heat.<br /><br />We reached the confluence before noon and made our way below the lowest rapid, now located at Kodd's Camp. Every week the reservoir dips a couple of feet so the flat water is always a little further downstream. This was our objective. We pulled over, bilged the Hobie, and Brad got a lunch fire going while I readied a fiberglass patch made to repair water tanks and radiators. I slathered the resin and hardener around the entire bilge hole, placed the clothe over the bilge hole and saturated the cloth with more resin/hardener. We then focused on lunch while the patch job dried. <br /><br />After half an hour we carried the Hobie (or Hobiewan as we call it) kayak to the water and loaded it with my gear. No apparent leaking...alright! Back in business. So we paddled down and verified the active nest near Kodd's Camp. Passed the spot where a nest had been chopped down and stopped at the newly discovered nest downstream from that. We attempted to climb it but ran out of time as evening was approaching. Will have to revisit in the morning. Hot, tired and thirsty, we headed down to our camp located by a spring above the Macal/Raspaculo confluence. Along the way, Brad spotted a couple of trogons taking turns snacking on wasps. They would fly up every 30 seconds and pluck a wasp from the air just below the wasp nest and flutter back down to a perch and then repeat. Didn't realize they would eat wasps. I've only seen them eat fruits. <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qfrKPMJIYNrpQ34rRQgNrM69wLyCPXm8csMPAnMC-Ob8ZQhWGFlREtAKzoBIZdzA2RixPSc4xxj_YMh9vbj0hFLOKLX-bQmK37pGJy9XnBZfRJkycBd_JtH4qv2ODZpy8I0vhlT-sC9P/s1600/P4270119c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qfrKPMJIYNrpQ34rRQgNrM69wLyCPXm8csMPAnMC-Ob8ZQhWGFlREtAKzoBIZdzA2RixPSc4xxj_YMh9vbj0hFLOKLX-bQmK37pGJy9XnBZfRJkycBd_JtH4qv2ODZpy8I0vhlT-sC9P/s400/P4270119c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465253092879680082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">New nest along the Raspaculo Branch of the reservoir. Me climbing before<br />abandoning this attempt.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning we were up early and headed upstream. Our feet were beginning to fall apart again, probably from the water and lack of air for our feet. Poor Brad had it rough while mine were not so bad. We observed a pair near the camp. They flew upstream and we one of them on a snag, then the other sticking its head out of a cavity on the backside near the top. New nest! We landed and loaded our gear. I shot a line over relatively quickly and began the ascent. But as I climbed, Brad noticed the the tree was swaying so I quickly descended and abandoned any thought of climbing that nest.<br /><br />We made our way up to the nest visited the previous day. Again, the tree seemed unstable so the climbing attempt had to be aborted. We planned to visit a couple of nests on the Macal portion of the reservoir when I noticed that the patch on my kayak was beginning to fail and take in a small amount of water. Time to get off the reservoir! Now! <br /><br />We paddled to the confluence and I was able to call Kristi on the sat phone. We had to get off the river a day early but looks like it'd work out fine. We bilged the kayak, had lunch, and paddled hard down the reservoir. Two hours later, often fighting with my kayak's tendency to drift in the wrong direction, we pulled into the Ballerina Rd cove. Not five minutes later Kristi and our good friend Daniel Velazquez pulled up in the jeep with BBQ chicken and cold beer. What a treat! That's how you raise morale. <br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XOraF8dnwaUM_mI4vVi-FbNJ6bdt3DFyWgDIqF-boqOjsrCRGUf33IhmAldZrtmjts3-zBU_kmhLAp6gjrZmbfvmEJ2cPhUmRvqKgF1PTNMq8puah1PZhT0IAMr0oLg4Wyov2BctYdRM/s1600/100_4105b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XOraF8dnwaUM_mI4vVi-FbNJ6bdt3DFyWgDIqF-boqOjsrCRGUf33IhmAldZrtmjts3-zBU_kmhLAp6gjrZmbfvmEJ2cPhUmRvqKgF1PTNMq8puah1PZhT0IAMr0oLg4Wyov2BctYdRM/s400/100_4105b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465615691944159714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad, Daniel and myself relaxing after getting off the river<br />(photo courtesy of Kristi Drexler).<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">The welding rods are now in and I repaired the Ocean Kayaks for the trip this week down the Chiquibul Branch. Let's go!<br /></div><br /></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-77423912541771377132010-04-21T11:22:00.000-07:002010-04-21T16:26:54.590-07:00A week of healingThe crew had to take this week off after getting beat down by the Raspaculo Branch trip. Our feet were torn up, all of the boats had cracks and my jeep was having electrical issues; the parking/tail lights keep shorting out resulting in me getting a citation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek13DKUFuumquCH8qr1HASFdS9yd1kNXraW-V1PFhfRxsbR70OU0ZxYTtf60SQd5namReoCT_uVXCQIyC5RAIhvzWMeYtkhC57U07_XvaOhHLxYC27lJ0wUfF271IocX59QTOyVIUW3qh/s1600/100_4017b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhek13DKUFuumquCH8qr1HASFdS9yd1kNXraW-V1PFhfRxsbR70OU0ZxYTtf60SQd5namReoCT_uVXCQIyC5RAIhvzWMeYtkhC57U07_XvaOhHLxYC27lJ0wUfF271IocX59QTOyVIUW3qh/s400/100_4017b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462660034691155202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">My aching feet!!!<br /></span></div><br />I am glad to say that my feet, and Brad's feet, are on their way to recovery. They no longer look as though they require some level of amputation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTKCkjcLSbQL7MbD9qT2PT0erNNj-2b7Mn0wEs-FH929mZfgq2V62u6_YpnxZI-REqY-Y2j3yMyc2vcKfelLlbsRPXOARBXGDYG9M1Y5Euf-m2OifwnqtetD_J3R-KPB-kmuE-laLjpCa/s1600/100_4045b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTKCkjcLSbQL7MbD9qT2PT0erNNj-2b7Mn0wEs-FH929mZfgq2V62u6_YpnxZI-REqY-Y2j3yMyc2vcKfelLlbsRPXOARBXGDYG9M1Y5Euf-m2OifwnqtetD_J3R-KPB-kmuE-laLjpCa/s400/100_4045b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462660041598620962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Hmm...something's not right here.<br /></span></div><br />So, I've been having this electrical issue since my last trip to Guatemala to work with the WCS crew. There was some electrical short that would knock out the fuse for the tail lights and front parking lights as well as the lights on the dash. Could not isolate it with the little time I had to dedicate to working on it. This week, I was finally able to isolate that the short was not coming from the tail lights. I looked at the wiring diagram again and saw that the front parking lights were on the same circuit. Hmmm. I took them off and there it was, a partially stripped wire on the parking lamp. Taped it up and seems to be working fine now. We'll see if it holds.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9vCfa_ZBwzcA7AQxBJjKCrtaP9xTt7ErJjKNHcS-laY1SCyixrybbizYcpHQGuc3UQvXx7Tza2ddWTs4ceIvaCQYXquumq4SEE4Lvji_CtxLcUoZ9vtNJLQeWcs6YonGw3q0ohJvNcpw/s1600/100_4053b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9vCfa_ZBwzcA7AQxBJjKCrtaP9xTt7ErJjKNHcS-laY1SCyixrybbizYcpHQGuc3UQvXx7Tza2ddWTs4ceIvaCQYXquumq4SEE4Lvji_CtxLcUoZ9vtNJLQeWcs6YonGw3q0ohJvNcpw/s400/100_4053b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462660049935163778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">As advised by the Menonites, the buckets make excellent welding material.<br /></span></div><br />Even more worrisome than my feet and jeep was the status of the 'fleet'. Cracks in all of the hulls, primarily where the bilge holes receive countless impacts from rocks on these rivers and branches. No one in the country does plastic welding to repair kayaks. You can't use fiberglass, and epoxy and JB Weld just get scraped off in a day. It has to be welded. But where to get the proper plastic?<br /><br />I contacted Ocean Kayak and they have generously offered to send plastic welding rods for free. Very cool, but they won't arrive for a couple of weeks at the earliest and we need to be back on the river by the end of this week. I then noticed that the plastic buckets generally used by folks around here are a similar type of plastic. With this in mind, my plan was to experiment on the Hobie and Emotion kayaks with strips from the bucket and hold off to repair the Ocean Kayaks until the welding rods get in. I purchased a heat gun a couple of days ago for the job.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c_3m6QwqCAA1T3572iwvCsJqwE1lv_FJcHft88aKBiNFjvMRXvhCfVO4ZR60JgxbxKTVb9wd2WzqvBKL6kZN3MS7mA1qjobLsjBF82s47PR4T79ICitS11aM7TwVgdsVOoJy_9rk1dpd/s1600/100_4059b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c_3m6QwqCAA1T3572iwvCsJqwE1lv_FJcHft88aKBiNFjvMRXvhCfVO4ZR60JgxbxKTVb9wd2WzqvBKL6kZN3MS7mA1qjobLsjBF82s47PR4T79ICitS11aM7TwVgdsVOoJy_9rk1dpd/s400/100_4059b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462660052334629458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">No caption needed<br /></span></div><br />So this morning I tried it out and it seems to work. A friend of mine was taking a couple of tourists down the lower Macal River from Chaa Creek to the confluence here in San Ignacio and inquired if my kayaks were still unusable. I was just finishing the repairs and offered them up for use as a way to test the effectiveness of the welding job. Guess I'll find out how it went later this afternoon.Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-49475209926286090622010-04-20T18:08:00.001-07:002010-04-21T16:23:38.747-07:00A painfully productive week...This week proved to be rewarding and debilitating. Kristi was great and provided us with timely transportation to and from the field. We were on the reservoir last week with the hopes to visit a couple of nests in the Macal portion of the reservoir before heading up the Raspaculo Branch all the way to the historic Cushtabani Camp.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT1ZSTvrK5ei7jKW2uPRB1pQ6KApS-ofcc9A_MkUvlKtzna08sy8UtauW42Y0vmriBLJPF1VCFDmYKCFleSFIPhCPlKh6g85pp8WafSFIXp7rtguHx_ymkwoDhmwjcV0Voqu4oZD_QePE/s1600/100_3967c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgT1ZSTvrK5ei7jKW2uPRB1pQ6KApS-ofcc9A_MkUvlKtzna08sy8UtauW42Y0vmriBLJPF1VCFDmYKCFleSFIPhCPlKh6g85pp8WafSFIXp7rtguHx_ymkwoDhmwjcV0Voqu4oZD_QePE/s400/100_3967c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462657456822309138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad, Charles and James getting ready (photo by Kristi Drexler).<br /></span></div><br />We headed out from the Ballerina Rd put-in late morning last Tuesday. We were at the Macal/Raspaculo confluence within a couple of hours.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnPt9z8qZWKRAsSEvEF1BKQdkIbHKVFGONUYAwTWkVR91V9BRe9AoTaoaWoucX7RJkTmstqHZHCt8cPMfskojmci-iHho7ulB5eGme3Od6kSB77QsttdZECXQhkXL8tBziHb0uCU_FEW7/s1600/100_3983b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnPt9z8qZWKRAsSEvEF1BKQdkIbHKVFGONUYAwTWkVR91V9BRe9AoTaoaWoucX7RJkTmstqHZHCt8cPMfskojmci-iHho7ulB5eGme3Od6kSB77QsttdZECXQhkXL8tBziHb0uCU_FEW7/s400/100_3983b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462656179276589186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The crew departing (photo by Kristi Drexler).<br /><br /></span></div>At the confluence we sat down for a nice lunch of quesadillas and other camping gourmet items. During our usual voracious consumption a couple of macaw flew in and alighted on a dead stump and began to get obviously upset with our presence. Wow...a new nest. Sweet! But how to gain access to this nest? That's the question...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rgj6pEYagMzrfCQR-Yv2bFMewVnjwf6Hb0gVFsDopyFMrdRMK90uei9D1-VvBZFT1P2XZX8D7kFgn-s2DyEbA24VajG-1aIZ9ZjnMXWl7MLgTSItoDtT1u-7LpEassl57kI2Ot2g3zp7/s1600/P4130028b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rgj6pEYagMzrfCQR-Yv2bFMewVnjwf6Hb0gVFsDopyFMrdRMK90uei9D1-VvBZFT1P2XZX8D7kFgn-s2DyEbA24VajG-1aIZ9ZjnMXWl7MLgTSItoDtT1u-7LpEassl57kI2Ot2g3zp7/s400/P4130028b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393136062490418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Stumpy nest discovered during lunch.<br /><br /></span></div>James headed up to the spring on the Raspaculo Branch, not far from the confluence, to conduct more sampling of the fish present there. Meanwhile, Brad and I headed up the Macal to check the other nests. As luck would have it the wind was blowing hard so the two lucky shots that made it over were all for naught; the wind took out the slack in the line and kept us from being able to lower the line. After an hour we had to call it off and move on to the next nest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-XforWw5YPw9ZrT5KKwcDqbmybNmm0pjhyqPCnFipUH-fFYmcgai8fjEJkX9zY348tKruDc-9ZMxVXPdrDQ7puXcNdDWeX4Efcxn1ZOr9j2Jqyul7E28aZDnA4PQkK8cbVLVbiSF_sKl/s1600/P4130040b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-XforWw5YPw9ZrT5KKwcDqbmybNmm0pjhyqPCnFipUH-fFYmcgai8fjEJkX9zY348tKruDc-9ZMxVXPdrDQ7puXcNdDWeX4Efcxn1ZOr9j2Jqyul7E28aZDnA4PQkK8cbVLVbiSF_sKl/s400/P4130040b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393132700610018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">An attentive mother.<br /></span></div><br />Half an hour later we made it up to the nest we had to abandon the week before due to rain. Brad climbed this one and spotted two eggs and a newly hatched chick. Sweet! From there we high-tailed it back to the confluence and camped out at the spring.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2gF0J9RKurcWChQ9CesvVejbWOtWLcN5h-y_dDEyF_4Lr4JKQtHO4vOjMar6zwTkWfNwyHdl53P8CMC03UnvRAHUzlSDS774sUF13UIyoTqq5WtWrJa6UvpTkuw3Y_RM3UuZBN9Ln0aF/s1600/P4140019b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2gF0J9RKurcWChQ9CesvVejbWOtWLcN5h-y_dDEyF_4Lr4JKQtHO4vOjMar6zwTkWfNwyHdl53P8CMC03UnvRAHUzlSDS774sUF13UIyoTqq5WtWrJa6UvpTkuw3Y_RM3UuZBN9Ln0aF/s400/P4140019b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393877708664802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">No, James isn't dead, he's sampling fish in shallow water.</span><br /></div><br />In the meantime, James had been able to spend a good amount of time at the spring, identifying several species and getting photos and videoing behavior of several.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxLKLTxyHZ3amPeIqef0ga5BeLSZ13YswjkBD98jL3EnKtlNE2A8sazmCMeAqhHjJslwOxecqohlAtwiJ7h0Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Nest protection at the spring.</span><br /></div><br />We moved upriver the next morning hoping to find more nesting activity along the reservoir. We passed an inactive nest site from last year and then approached a new nest area where we had observed pairs inspecting a cavity on two separate occasions. Something was askew. Where was the tree? We pulled up and I immediately notice both shoe and barefoot prints in the muddy bank. Hmmm...it's gone. We walked to the spot and sure enough, the tree had been obviously chopped down. In fact, after it was felled, the perpetrators had to dig to gain access to the nest. I think they were disappointed as the nest had not yielded any chicks yet. But sadly, another nesting location was lost.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrEYGJPAiRazf4CtggnHjjuk6byEr8LBUWOOyPPLOJgnNXtbn6lX5damuSjOAbmOkmIyYjjKvWNOtFbTDCws-zvZOJRP5oMX2Iw-Mz24ys9lR1B5rrHeaxMDt_UtTUws5nQNKLCOJZMWa/s1600/IMG_1845c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrEYGJPAiRazf4CtggnHjjuk6byEr8LBUWOOyPPLOJgnNXtbn6lX5damuSjOAbmOkmIyYjjKvWNOtFbTDCws-zvZOJRP5oMX2Iw-Mz24ys9lR1B5rrHeaxMDt_UtTUws5nQNKLCOJZMWa/s400/IMG_1845c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462397186035932114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Sadness...our first nest chopped down this year.<br /></span></div><br />Further upstream, we approached a historically active xatero camp, both legal and illegal. As we paddled by I spotted a female with her head poking out of the cavity. With a little cowboy work I was able to photo two eggs and quickly descend.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2W031vbZQ1MP_9V2YktJP74bPdXbgASb3JiRKOO37nYoWFIcpc-VGMD0rKEg-RqGCfF8mJL_VYfMsQLxyf-IxRl88ZQ-NX_5_IgXSrl8gSTMd32Loa8YRpJ8OTSVD-q0_MSS2tYkMjJM/s1600/P4140063b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2W031vbZQ1MP_9V2YktJP74bPdXbgASb3JiRKOO37nYoWFIcpc-VGMD0rKEg-RqGCfF8mJL_VYfMsQLxyf-IxRl88ZQ-NX_5_IgXSrl8gSTMd32Loa8YRpJ8OTSVD-q0_MSS2tYkMjJM/s400/P4140063b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462723012122796578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Me playing cowboy. Had to lasso the cavity entrance and pull myself over.<br /></span></div><br />We conducted some fish sampling just upstream, turned east at the Monkeytail/Raspaculo confluence, and began the push towards Cushtabani. Darkness began to descend within a couple of hours and we set up camp on a nice rocky bend in the river.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV0B5ytCTxOTtwQT8jno79jtwtlpFzRFV9ekwzDhmRYQlPBZ2MXu3YY9M0DWq1h5T41Vlb0AgvDbWYgj-gUJ4_lMRW-0VYYS49oOyCoyh6uiSyDaJRBO4WVNiWkdgQYqtHTydrsJp3Uak/s1600/P4140044b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV0B5ytCTxOTtwQT8jno79jtwtlpFzRFV9ekwzDhmRYQlPBZ2MXu3YY9M0DWq1h5T41Vlb0AgvDbWYgj-gUJ4_lMRW-0VYYS49oOyCoyh6uiSyDaJRBO4WVNiWkdgQYqtHTydrsJp3Uak/s400/P4140044b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393871944051874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Myself, James and Brad at our 'kitchen'.<br /></span></div><br />We began the next morning conducting a round of fish sampling adjacent to the campsite.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRwiBpAipRkJ4fWqEjCW8babhWYHY29G7Zt3wrqpIvu4rJG1RkbX5sHnZZ1CxVPibWQyA9ux7_gk48Uqkk9mKHuK9cBoAs6BpneBV9lxmKmBFhO-wyoAQA2VGIn4k-JVVgPkiy1iN6rVY/s1600/P4150050b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRwiBpAipRkJ4fWqEjCW8babhWYHY29G7Zt3wrqpIvu4rJG1RkbX5sHnZZ1CxVPibWQyA9ux7_gk48Uqkk9mKHuK9cBoAs6BpneBV9lxmKmBFhO-wyoAQA2VGIn4k-JVVgPkiy1iN6rVY/s400/P4150050b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393450193317954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">James and Brad characterizing fish habitat.<br /></span></div><br />We then split up so James could finish up his fish sampling while Brad and I pushed to the next nest location. Within an hour we passed an active xatero camp. Hmmm...what to do? Should we wait for James? I thought about it for a few minutes and decided that the xateros were all out working and there would be no problems (which turned out to be true...thankfully). Around the next bend were four horses, most likely to haul xate back to Guatemala.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiO7BwcHyXVqS8QeoACb9zqY5MuhtvW3u7yAwg0zKldGA5o3yEXK693l8KLyDmpGupBjEQwe1_zu6Ic56j7BBmWRkvsxGneNpZzDfM_Khss86W1lIIvQUIs4VGQcI4fSf5X0ZIsQz9xrs/s1600/P4150052b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiO7BwcHyXVqS8QeoACb9zqY5MuhtvW3u7yAwg0zKldGA5o3yEXK693l8KLyDmpGupBjEQwe1_zu6Ic56j7BBmWRkvsxGneNpZzDfM_Khss86W1lIIvQUIs4VGQcI4fSf5X0ZIsQz9xrs/s400/P4150052b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393440145142146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Xatero camp.</span><br /></div><br />After the first major confluence we stopped for an hour to observe several pairs, chop our way to a tree with previous cavity inspection, and to have lunch. No nests but a good lunch. We then kayaked upstream to a nest with an egg the previous month. I scaled this nest and was bummed...the ceiling had collapsed and completely filled the cavity; probably burying the egg or chick. An interesting note was that a macaw did visit the tree while I was climbing and there were other cavities on the tree (with nothing at the time). So maybe they will use the tree. The pair might have moved upstream a bit as we observed a pair inspecting a cavity two hundred meters upriver.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pb3PvGqyiBcnk1UEnWUPx2M4lPAqYrB4_1tEpVc1WoklX6fJALujRc7sxbQU0B5vHYFTT09H01GlXoQmufK3rupb-qpZI96HWq7Y3jg2kjyE79vsh0PVfggiIhiDaGscs6NFStpAvZYL/s1600/P4150082b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pb3PvGqyiBcnk1UEnWUPx2M4lPAqYrB4_1tEpVc1WoklX6fJALujRc7sxbQU0B5vHYFTT09H01GlXoQmufK3rupb-qpZI96HWq7Y3jg2kjyE79vsh0PVfggiIhiDaGscs6NFStpAvZYL/s400/P4150082b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462392043714513522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am getting ready to ascend.<br /></span></div><br />That day was extremely challenging; we pushed hard, very hard to make it to our farthest up nests near Cushtabani Camp. I have to give Brad some real props here. His feet were in really bad shape but he didn't complain and didn't hold us back. A tough guy. Along the way we had a fantastic look at a large male Tapir slowly ambling up the river for five to ten minute. We then spooked it around the next bend and sent it galloping into the vegetation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDmkMkVECqXGvuPx08SUcxDiM7eY4XKdZXy0b5kHyQq4kd1MD24DvRGrV8b-NJFYsdOUcqPp0JH0KfHSuvvkeGN6S40-UojonE0eRi_rYoVHUeUOVNT9lkOSwRYMJznf8O6p3h0LhAAgB/s1600/IMG_1888b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDmkMkVECqXGvuPx08SUcxDiM7eY4XKdZXy0b5kHyQq4kd1MD24DvRGrV8b-NJFYsdOUcqPp0JH0KfHSuvvkeGN6S40-UojonE0eRi_rYoVHUeUOVNT9lkOSwRYMJznf8O6p3h0LhAAgB/s400/IMG_1888b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462397187790104146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Bird's eye view of the river.<br /></span></div><br />At the camp, Brad and I found our misplaced items from the camp; my leatherman and Brad's sock. The next morning we visited three nests, finishing at noon. One had three chicks, the second had two chicks, and the last one egg. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkp3gy12gsZX9_X_9pZQm22vQ2R9pWHwNPT7aGXrdAcSqZtJQPd4R_CigGp6e1SuFvOsStUVMTSagZJyb3lW9otXYLPn1FGxkZi6EPive0De1QyIzos6g7CnJYg6qKhlLgegXGudUsJ6B/s1600/IMG_1901b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkp3gy12gsZX9_X_9pZQm22vQ2R9pWHwNPT7aGXrdAcSqZtJQPd4R_CigGp6e1SuFvOsStUVMTSagZJyb3lW9otXYLPn1FGxkZi6EPive0De1QyIzos6g7CnJYg6qKhlLgegXGudUsJ6B/s400/IMG_1901b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462397192582697634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">These were the largest and oldest chicks to date.</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">Ugly ducklings for sure!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvecYtRC6T6bAK6Ugr7Aygy2_Qz7B7YbfOMCLbQozAdKacE3iUxN19e5KX_tgispXhxgXPU5OyPzkGZaD3Ayeo8_ee-YILkENveyEYlaU9snW-FI2jjn8MQGjrJQn6QXqQFg62MxE87-GW/s1600/P4160089b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvecYtRC6T6bAK6Ugr7Aygy2_Qz7B7YbfOMCLbQozAdKacE3iUxN19e5KX_tgispXhxgXPU5OyPzkGZaD3Ayeo8_ee-YILkENveyEYlaU9snW-FI2jjn8MQGjrJQn6QXqQFg62MxE87-GW/s400/P4160089b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462392037067347090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad checking on three recently hatched chicks.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJiCZKg-m3zSytTkgtYWG9PD6Lj40dohAEYYSSCiHKLEly2bHsXM8mANVoOLji50qiktEuigXSxUPykckYXeylJI0yggi1NjDXCyawVDXJbQObmjlob0nCgbfx49YyvLvMecwmrn3eMGb/s1600/P4160102b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJiCZKg-m3zSytTkgtYWG9PD6Lj40dohAEYYSSCiHKLEly2bHsXM8mANVoOLji50qiktEuigXSxUPykckYXeylJI0yggi1NjDXCyawVDXJbQObmjlob0nCgbfx49YyvLvMecwmrn3eMGb/s400/P4160102b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462392030917081426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Parents express their opinion of our efforts.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_182Sm1zWUa0GFTCKKnJO2uoAqbIUO1n4dZroV2IvwPdKTHawcDei83ySRQhw3ZYGRbDwHN5EmIYCPbg0R1DeonIh4uv9UoD7fZp4RpECAx6t_vUuARilmo7iiWZKy26FZ2ixEL_B1wQm/s1600/P4160107b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_182Sm1zWUa0GFTCKKnJO2uoAqbIUO1n4dZroV2IvwPdKTHawcDei83ySRQhw3ZYGRbDwHN5EmIYCPbg0R1DeonIh4uv9UoD7fZp4RpECAx6t_vUuARilmo7iiWZKy26FZ2ixEL_B1wQm/s400/P4160107b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462392028357063426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am climbing a new nest. One egg at the top.<br /></span></div><br />It was noon by the time we were finished and had a LOT of river to cover that day. By late afternoon we were nearing the xatero camp. This had me concerned as they would probably be at the camp. We passed five horses this time and as we made our way through the rapids above the camp I could see a few individuals there. We continued downstream and as we neared I waved and called out 'Buenas tardes'. They waved back and said hola. No prob, we continued on to a campsite well below them. Along the way we discovered a new nest. Too late to check so we'll paddle up the next trip after going down Monkeytail Branch.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gCR3D_kJThAZVTTDBQ51p2wuajdIDVfbdlsZ5eiwsrbL3_vU8EZXVsbH1RDULpNLOgkr7-VU8pU8ZRM0qczjKlapAeM0TEg8mhxzWbJ38oKjfefB8eNjbU-nEyPCJI4uURzlYPR58jN9/s1600/P4150059b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gCR3D_kJThAZVTTDBQ51p2wuajdIDVfbdlsZ5eiwsrbL3_vU8EZXVsbH1RDULpNLOgkr7-VU8pU8ZRM0qczjKlapAeM0TEg8mhxzWbJ38oKjfefB8eNjbU-nEyPCJI4uURzlYPR58jN9/s400/P4150059b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462393433527177442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad's poor feet. We all were suffering.<br /><br /></span></div>Our feet were in absolute horrible condition. I was really concerned about it. Walking around the camp in Crocs was an excruciating experience and we still had a long day ahead of us. We ate well, enjoying fried tetra fish, baked potatoes and stir-fry, but I didn't move more than ten feet after sitting down. The rain poured that night while we hunkered down under the tarp eating, drinking, and chatting until 11pm (an absurdly late night for us).<br /><br />The next morning, I discarded my shoes for Crocs only and as soon as we were on the reservoir I pulled my socks off as well. Found another nest, just downstream of the one that was chopped down. I wonder if it is the same pair? At the confluence, James retrieved a cache of beer; two for each. What a treat! This was lunch as we decided to forgo stopping and made our way to the take out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vjsh5FbWu8i4gb4dBUfC6aO0nsiLADiK65WNPfjFN8hYk3PCiZfkzJ_yIBZbllJ6wAPfkqd1n72bx5-DJsIyA84etf-m22xJj5AeviRbT8UL13azeKvCCOSPKSRQStxLxvnsSqQKTJuk/s1600/100_4028b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vjsh5FbWu8i4gb4dBUfC6aO0nsiLADiK65WNPfjFN8hYk3PCiZfkzJ_yIBZbllJ6wAPfkqd1n72bx5-DJsIyA84etf-m22xJj5AeviRbT8UL13azeKvCCOSPKSRQStxLxvnsSqQKTJuk/s400/100_4028b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462656189958327106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad, Charles and James loading up the Jeep (photo by Kristi Drexler).<br /></span></div><br />We went past another cache of beer and were stocked for the trip down the dreary reservoir. Twenty minutes after we pulled our boats out, Kristi arrived. YES!!! Bringing cold refreshments for all. We cruised to town for BBQ and a shower. Being the last night for James in country, we desired a night on the town but the thought of walking more than ten feet at a time was too much to bear. We settled for relaxing at the house and enjoying the drive to the airport the following day.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWYdE32Ye_hyJnWeca70mxKZFmIh5VF6MDyoOYpJ7rUcieMnrXKChHqIVvaWpMFU8XvAU9ZKnlK2LiINrByHTOQk3vAcKhBbAqgngVkcxUc7-0ExqTrHzaVO0dkY1DngzKK5ebCPKhHYO/s1600/P4170091b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWYdE32Ye_hyJnWeca70mxKZFmIh5VF6MDyoOYpJ7rUcieMnrXKChHqIVvaWpMFU8XvAU9ZKnlK2LiINrByHTOQk3vAcKhBbAqgngVkcxUc7-0ExqTrHzaVO0dkY1DngzKK5ebCPKhHYO/s400/P4170091b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462392018694388290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Myself, James and Brad at Boiton's BBQ in Santa Elena (photo by Kristi Drexler).<br /></span></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-12050563102228697212010-04-11T19:13:00.000-07:002010-04-21T14:11:11.822-07:00Nesting is picking upThis past weekend my good friend and colleague from NMSU, James Morel, arrived to spend a couple of weeks collaborating on a fish sampling project in the upper Macal River watershed. Following a late night welcoming him to the country we awoke the next morning to pack and take care of the logistics of the trip.<br /><br />It was Easter Weekend so most things were closed and the normal crew of rangers that help us out were on holiday. Hmmm, how to get some work done? It dawned on me that my good friend Ernesto Garcia was working up in Mountain Pine Ridge and could help us out with a drop-off/pick-up on the run down the lower Macal below the Guacamallo Bridge. So I lined that up and we headed up to Baldy Sibun where a communication tower is perched on the eastern side of the ridge.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim915L_EBf1CRs_WB5Zo5_kB0PuW9iqPOT-j6K6KdYMZVzc2veCoJmPMjKEq2YRgfG_dDgpfSpd6fayemXCc7kDTGu8Dz8YLnXkZ3_3YMJqBtL90OQWW1wclT9_wW8AXAGmUWkSuqYLcDK/s1600/P4050005c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim915L_EBf1CRs_WB5Zo5_kB0PuW9iqPOT-j6K6KdYMZVzc2veCoJmPMjKEq2YRgfG_dDgpfSpd6fayemXCc7kDTGu8Dz8YLnXkZ3_3YMJqBtL90OQWW1wclT9_wW8AXAGmUWkSuqYLcDK/s400/P4050005c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459069098009016050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(Right) View from Baldy Sibun on Mountain Pine Ridge. (Left) Ernesto Garcia working his culinary magic.<br /></span></div><br />We wound our way through the pine ridge and arrived at Baldy Sibun around 4pm bearing all the necessities for a good evening. What a view! Perched atop Belize we could see for miles and miles. Ernesto prepared an amazing dinner of stew chicken, beans and tortillas. After darkness descending, we pulled his little 6" TV out into the patio, using my jump cables as an extension cord, and enjoyed the college basketball championship game.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BY41wAjo-9fvuN7_OUedxGTVu6mQ0_nPP5GgfZg41NB35za6mlK8UvM2_20k_Hdjca8Cp5A9Cshc8ehgsb4g4bZg4kpWuUVlPzUsyADOZ-J-KO2UHF11mWB7aPTjVebH9eam4fBTYlkd/s1600/P4060040b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BY41wAjo-9fvuN7_OUedxGTVu6mQ0_nPP5GgfZg41NB35za6mlK8UvM2_20k_Hdjca8Cp5A9Cshc8ehgsb4g4bZg4kpWuUVlPzUsyADOZ-J-KO2UHF11mWB7aPTjVebH9eam4fBTYlkd/s400/P4060040b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459069312779124466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">James guiding his kayak down the rapids.<br /><br /></span></div>The next morning we loaded up ad headed down to the Guacamallo Bridge and were on the river by 9am. What a fun river run that is. Unfortunately, we still haven't had much macaw activity in this area. Three pairs flew overhead and downstream at the first bend but that was about it. That is probably the extent of the habitat below the bridge.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf985nZeW5m2Nbagexq42xGrutK1pEMjbVU7S8cVkgp8_EzG36I7kZPYaTRo_CKjzsQVQACJBitQMNx3ElCW-AEJsbtaGxJvqTBWzcqDn8BMT42BZlr8ctXbg57KFe_JTBhyPXCgFgjQ-2/s1600/IMG_1773b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf985nZeW5m2Nbagexq42xGrutK1pEMjbVU7S8cVkgp8_EzG36I7kZPYaTRo_CKjzsQVQACJBitQMNx3ElCW-AEJsbtaGxJvqTBWzcqDn8BMT42BZlr8ctXbg57KFe_JTBhyPXCgFgjQ-2/s400/IMG_1773b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462379315879398194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">James and myself doing a seine haul.<br /> </span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After the first bend, we were able to start fish sampling. It was one of the few locations with a run, riffle, pool situation. After that it was a lot of bedrock runs and falls.<br /></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTRX4tgt_BbYkEY0sPMmZ-DOUePo2TawyJKa1g1RQfEF8-UxuGNVaYq0SnNWxNW_I9O91NVx1PMWq4uajqLw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Maneuvering down the runs.</span><br /></div><br />By Tuesday afternoon the rangers were back from holiday and in the Chiquibul. We picked them up and headed over the pine ridge to the put-in to run the upper Macal. We arrived just before dark, set up camp by the river, and settled into a fajita dinner before retiring to our tent hammocks.<br /><br />Wednesday morning greeted us with an infusion of macaw activity in the immediate area; beginning with a couple of pairs and ending with 26 foraging<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMpnfQqWYbzBEPIjMEuDM-0Gr9WORorTqkARhomJyLbiaVzT2inooA_0Hh7LcIKA_-JGKiyNXWTIUpp1C-MHFYSa3ei9fl6r6tYNRePK4PMZ391bigppGZ7WMZABCgQcEi_QiiQ4rSy10/s1600/P4070001c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMpnfQqWYbzBEPIjMEuDM-0Gr9WORorTqkARhomJyLbiaVzT2inooA_0Hh7LcIKA_-JGKiyNXWTIUpp1C-MHFYSa3ei9fl6r6tYNRePK4PMZ391bigppGZ7WMZABCgQcEi_QiiQ4rSy10/s400/P4070001c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459069922861489122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Pair that I thought was inspecting a cavity...no dice.</span><br /></div><br />At the end of a good day on the river we saw and heard a pair two hundred meters down the river. James and Brad prepped the campsite while I traveled down to check it out. Sure enough, a pair was hanging out and even copulated. Then one of them dropped down and behind the upper trunk. Yes, surely there is a nest. The next morning we excitedly made our way to the tree and I climbed it only to find that no cavity existed. Too bad...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvKxwWjWEfSE0Wy6FUKb5qx4APAkOBsQXa7dqV2AfjF8CXVYv5rx5gjnq0T2zs9H-fbmzxbf4XephDf6kY2d6L2Om2r2JzbRbIfsu67P62C9CbUfAjWAPaYKQDdKMRwEtabItYUiDALWS/s1600/IMG_1805b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvKxwWjWEfSE0Wy6FUKb5qx4APAkOBsQXa7dqV2AfjF8CXVYv5rx5gjnq0T2zs9H-fbmzxbf4XephDf6kY2d6L2Om2r2JzbRbIfsu67P62C9CbUfAjWAPaYKQDdKMRwEtabItYUiDALWS/s400/IMG_1805b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070267604816482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The view for a macaw is a bit more scenic than what we experience...but we get glimpses.</span><br /></div><br />On Thursday, we checked three nests. Only one of them was active having a newly born chick and two unhatched eggs. It was a challenge to get a photo. The rope was a good five feet away from the nest on a lateral branch (see photo below). I have to break a branch it was stuck on and then had to loop another rope over and pull myself close to the nest and then take a photo. After seeing the chick and eggs I quickly descended.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLwiwKxs0m1s12hYu5WY5NoWuN_2RzK-boy8w_NxucFeOzALS5N39JfydqPpuEtiqopqH5_qxhQwFQZnTetdFwTNJPIncGmaViUa0WcV7PWWi7Q26ufLy22FyuwS388ZG8CoWkKTjMRT2/s1600/P4080025c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLwiwKxs0m1s12hYu5WY5NoWuN_2RzK-boy8w_NxucFeOzALS5N39JfydqPpuEtiqopqH5_qxhQwFQZnTetdFwTNJPIncGmaViUa0WcV7PWWi7Q26ufLy22FyuwS388ZG8CoWkKTjMRT2/s400/P4080025c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070684315486322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This was a tricky nest requiring a little extra rope work. Well worth it!</span><br /></div><br />Traveling down the Macal, James spotted a a motionless male iguana (below). Brad picked it up for a photo and then I placed it on a large rock to warm up. Guess it got too cold in the water and couldn't move any longer. Wonder if it warmed up before a Hawk Eagle nabbed it for a meal?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVq_9iBqWOkUkj-vjY38GskuvE5XFSCp09RKVSa0p5XRl17TdH9eYzfAVRucTAzgy73dHqFBrvEIL8hnQn5otkFDlO6xwZl2lHrcUdH-sryZPOO_1ifnvKPWHbuZcpQGdZgpJYI0vrNHl/s1600/IMG_1794b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVq_9iBqWOkUkj-vjY38GskuvE5XFSCp09RKVSa0p5XRl17TdH9eYzfAVRucTAzgy73dHqFBrvEIL8hnQn5otkFDlO6xwZl2lHrcUdH-sryZPOO_1ifnvKPWHbuZcpQGdZgpJYI0vrNHl/s400/IMG_1794b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459070928700485490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad handling an ice-cold male iguana, or bamboo chicken as they say in Belize.<br /></span></div><br />As we proceeded down the river on Friday, I glanced over through a gap in the riparian vegetation just in time to see a macaw head sticking out of its cavity. I think that the females definitely do this as a survival behavior; observing things from the cavity. This is how we find many of the nests. They might hear us as well and stick their heads out just out of curiosity as well. Works for me. Climbed the nest to find two eggs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbnx_NWllmV3dhXCUl175txhlymF0k59OdrlKRZhns1dTvzf0c0ld1he0VLoELKhEvDmY8MZt_Huah0BmKaUQtSDYIzM5Cq9E2XH1HnOnXgwZKOXUE5dnIdb6yd35bXpDUHzpcFhyphenhyphen_5Eh/s1600/P4090028c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbnx_NWllmV3dhXCUl175txhlymF0k59OdrlKRZhns1dTvzf0c0ld1he0VLoELKhEvDmY8MZt_Huah0BmKaUQtSDYIzM5Cq9E2XH1HnOnXgwZKOXUE5dnIdb6yd35bXpDUHzpcFhyphenhyphen_5Eh/s400/P4090028c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459071315101813826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Always have to vigilant with the search effort. The right direction at the right<br /> time reveals a macaw in a cavity.</span><br /></div><br />We hit the reservoir. It's getting lower each day. Brad had developed a crack in the rear bilge holes at this point and we were glad to be off the rocky, shallow river bottom. <br /><br />A cold front began brewing and then dumped rain that we hadn't seen in months. You would have believed we were in the rainy season instead of well into the dry season. An interesting note is that this dry season has been delayed and then interrupted periodically by rain. This might have delayed this year's breeding season which probably helped buy a little time for me to get things organized.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXXaDPIlHJ2IQ5zxJj9N6XgQBjy2JEBo_PiuFRYfOI7T5aGRsdTOMb78j0ZY7sk9OAwtLpkIReZnByS7Gh_q8KIRWIw8YRndo7-VJRXodm8RibT9Sw1mzz_q9jP_cyjfFP7vikgY4_rq5/s1600/P4090089b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXXaDPIlHJ2IQ5zxJj9N6XgQBjy2JEBo_PiuFRYfOI7T5aGRsdTOMb78j0ZY7sk9OAwtLpkIReZnByS7Gh_q8KIRWIw8YRndo7-VJRXodm8RibT9Sw1mzz_q9jP_cyjfFP7vikgY4_rq5/s400/P4090089b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459071634096115202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Is it the dry season? Brad and James (coming from the desert, he's enjoying the downpour).<br /></span></div><br />The rain stopped after an hour and we were able to enjoy a large social flock of macaws preening and foraging on both sides of the river. Toucans and crested guans were abundant and we even had great looks at a laughing falcon. We then rounded a bend close to a historic nesting location which had been cut down the previous year. The unmistakable sight of red caught my eye. There was a female attending her nest (below). We maneuvered to the area and unloaded our gear. Just after we shot a line over the rains came again! Can't climb in the rain so we packed it up. Just have to visit the nest the next week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtYgW6EwwZk_oEnVqPgCoHpzkltPDKGcDAoPADZU1kL2fDxiqJmjnIMGGDTO_OmDkDf8BRDvgDClyGk4GjnhbZ3h_5CupXDdQnyzbW6MXr5UlhsW3oWhGnkCAwTUwgAJvNsPTVYuouYfw/s1600/P4090033b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtYgW6EwwZk_oEnVqPgCoHpzkltPDKGcDAoPADZU1kL2fDxiqJmjnIMGGDTO_OmDkDf8BRDvgDClyGk4GjnhbZ3h_5CupXDdQnyzbW6MXr5UlhsW3oWhGnkCAwTUwgAJvNsPTVYuouYfw/s400/P4090033b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459071627496230962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A female checking us out checking her out. The rains kept us from this nest.<br /></span></div><br />As we made our way to the campsite near the Raspaculo/Macal junction we spotted a pair on the south side of the river. Then a crocodile swam across in front of us. Brad was slowly sinking as his kayak continued to take in water. It was also getting late so I told them to head to the campsite and I would continue to observe this pair. About ten minutes later, the pair flew across the river and perched in a small tree. After a minute, one of them flew into a snag and into a cavity located and the top of the trunk. Cool! Another nest.<br /><br />I then paddled hard to get to the campsite before dark, arriving shortly after James and Brad. After a good night's sleep we headed to the take out and home. All in all, a good trip.Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-57556121784216365202010-04-02T10:11:00.000-07:002010-04-05T09:56:51.417-07:00Sometimes you get lucky…It was time to revisit the Chiquibul Branch.<span style=""> </span>It’s a short run but that worked out because Easter Weekend was coming up and it was a short week for our support team; the FCD rangers.<span style=""> </span>The main objective was to check the nest site where a pair of macaws was observed inspecting a potential cavity.<p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We arrived at the ranger base around midday this past Monday and began getting our gear in order, mainly our food.<span style=""> </span>The lone ranger, Larry, arrived with two guests from Southern Illinois.<span style=""> </span>The plan was to get dropped off down at the Chiquibul Branch when the combined ranger/BDF patrol were getting extracted from a recent patrol.<span style=""> </span>However, as often happens in the Chiquibul, the plan needed to be modified.<span style=""> </span>The patrol was back early and there were an unspecified number of people who had unspecified injuries. So Larry and I went to Las Cuevas to pick up the Land Rover and I assisted with the extraction and put off our own insertion into the jungle for a day.<span style=""> </span>The patrol was greatly relieved to see us.<span style=""> </span>I can understand this part.<span style=""> </span>No one likes waiting in the jungle after hard work.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We got them out and went back to the ranger base where Curt and Cathy were waiting along with Brad.<span style=""> </span>It was Curt’s birthday, thus the trip down to Belize, so he was preparing a large dinner of chicken, salad, mac ‘n cheese, and beans.<span style=""> </span>This was definitely a hit for the recently returning rangers but we all ate with gusto.<span style=""> </span>We relaxed for the evening with rum libations and Curt pulled out his guitar and sang about the rivers around his part of the world…a very cool evening.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We loaded up early on Tuesday morning and were on the road by 6:45am.<span style=""> </span>Arriving at 8:30, we got on the river and began the run down the Chiquibul Branch.<span style=""> </span>It went smoothly…mostly.<span style=""> </span>I got caught up on one rock that tried to flip me.<span style=""> </span>Actually, I was out of the boat but managed to manhandle the kayak so it turned on its side but didn’t quite flip over.<span style=""> </span>After that we continued on past the cave and through Natural Arch.<span style=""> </span>That never gets old.<span style=""> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6MpQGUBh2pZ4q1iz5uaLT1hfjZNmH3C941Sa7aEugLa10LSMB2YDBRVnkjLV9sx4jTnTK54zWUDGQzcp45FdE_aMvMplTMD5faH_GY5xalx3yC1IOH7_m-hLj37SfexnqA5t6pfHY98g/s1600/IMG_1652c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6MpQGUBh2pZ4q1iz5uaLT1hfjZNmH3C941Sa7aEugLa10LSMB2YDBRVnkjLV9sx4jTnTK54zWUDGQzcp45FdE_aMvMplTMD5faH_GY5xalx3yC1IOH7_m-hLj37SfexnqA5t6pfHY98g/s400/IMG_1652c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455593253813333106" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Lunchtime on the Chiquibul. Typical goofiness...</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were already planning a return trip into the cave; with headlamps this time.<span style=""> </span>Natural Arch is just a wonder.<span style=""> </span>Jungle on the sides and jungle growing thickly on top with vines hanging almost a hundred feet down.<span style=""> </span>Then you enter into the quite of the arch with stalactites scattered across the ceiling and limestone overhangs along the water’s edge.<span style=""> </span>Just amazing…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We paddled down to the nest area…no activity.<span style=""> </span>Then we heard macaws!<span style=""> </span>Two pairs.<span style=""> </span>One pair flew silently to the south and out of sight, gone.<span style=""> </span>The second pair squawked and landed back in the vicinity of the nest, perched and squawked some more.<span style=""> </span>Then they flew to the right on perched again before taking off and heading downstream.<span style=""> </span>Hmmm, maybe they’re using that cavity, but from their behavior they still seemed to be in the nest initiation phase.<span style=""> </span>Time to check the tree with the cavity.<span style=""> </span>I went to grab my machete…it was gone!<span style=""> </span>Oh no.<span style=""> </span>Oh no.<span style=""> </span>That’s the most important tool you can have out there.<span style=""> </span>Must have fallen out when I nearly flipped.<span style=""> </span>Man, that’s the one my dad gave me and we’d had that for years.<span style=""> </span>It was finally getting some serious use.<span style=""> </span>Shoot!<span style=""> </span>Oh well, maybe I’ll get lucky and find it on the way back.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We linked up with tapir trails and took those as far as possible with Brad clearing a little here and there but trying to keep it to a minimum.<span style=""> </span>It was tough to really gauge where we were in the tall thick grass and vine thickets.<span style=""> </span>But we made our way to the tree and shot a line over it.<span style=""> </span>I scaled this one.<span style=""> </span>I scaled the tree rather quickly and checked all of the knobs and holes…nothing.<span style=""> </span>The cavity that the macaws were checking out last time was beginning to open up but still needed more time to rot out.<span style=""> </span>Man!<span style=""> </span>Bummer!<span style=""> </span>So I tried to look around to see if I could spot where that first pair went to.<span style=""> </span>Alas, this location was widely encircled by a wall of thickly vine-covered trees obstructing the view.<span style=""> </span>No machete, no nest.<span style=""> </span>Damn!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b9glmNAyDYaA-pg8LcvxmSaPZXhLddAjynDTg587eb6MxNcUPCo_ini66NtO2NK-0Oeomf0evNQNAgzicnORpe_euh_k7FJphvhntfFdrOQlhWi7lXmw_IjUoUPXDVxQFLHAF4KM02Gp/s1600/IMG_1660b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b9glmNAyDYaA-pg8LcvxmSaPZXhLddAjynDTg587eb6MxNcUPCo_ini66NtO2NK-0Oeomf0evNQNAgzicnORpe_euh_k7FJphvhntfFdrOQlhWi7lXmw_IjUoUPXDVxQFLHAF4KM02Gp/s400/IMG_1660b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455595044617732546" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am climbing what we thought was a nest tree...no such luck!</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh well.<span style=""> </span>I went back to the area near the river to review the area and I was beginning to doubt that we were at the correct tree.<span style=""> </span>The angles get so weird.<span style=""> </span>I decided that we’d head downstream for now and reconnoiter the area further the next day on the way back upstream.<span style=""> </span>So we loaded our stuff up and paddled downriver.<span style=""> </span>About 200m downstream we passed a large Ceiba stump on the north side of the river.<span style=""> </span>It appeared to be dead with only to lateral branches hanging on.<span style=""> </span>Going another 100ft or so, something made me hesitate.<span style=""> </span>‘I’m going back to check out that stump,’ I informed Brad.<span style=""> </span>So we turned around and paddled back up.<span style=""> </span>I noticed something really red up on the stump as I peered through the riparian vegetation.<span style=""> </span>‘There’s a macaw!,' proclaimed Brad.<span style=""> </span>We watched it for a few minutes while it watched us from its perch; the top of the stump.<span style=""> </span>It then took off away from the river but quickly returned and continued to watch us; a sentry atop its tower.<span style=""> </span>It then disappeared down into the stump.<span style=""> </span>Alright!!!<span style=""> </span>Score!!!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uhH-YkK2yIIGKirz5qVT5eb0pd5os39nJB4eEc59Hr3nNouqSacWlY_S4WalmkrGZdy_UR1-dBOuHcL95-VwDwuCTBdcawEDA-3uIdNNKP6LJIE9GO6eeZ3AVdl5lg6tNk6J_aIAHjpA/s1600/P3310003c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uhH-YkK2yIIGKirz5qVT5eb0pd5os39nJB4eEc59Hr3nNouqSacWlY_S4WalmkrGZdy_UR1-dBOuHcL95-VwDwuCTBdcawEDA-3uIdNNKP6LJIE9GO6eeZ3AVdl5lg6tNk6J_aIAHjpA/s400/P3310003c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455591257589164194" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">An ACTUAL nest site not 200m downstream of the place we struck out.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I decided that as it was getting late, we’d leave it alone.<span style=""> </span>We might not have time to cut a trail to the nest, scale it and do our work and then have time to find a camp spot before dark.<span style=""> </span>So we moved downstream, passing through the limestone slot canyon to the Resumadero area and turned around to the camp at the water’s edge. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwFJXSHj7myXy5v4YL2DHVUERRO0OmhIO7mNKwve4Czp4pXAwtaaXlb2yvomsRuWdYTyHy8m7whm2OX9Hn3IWopd5ZkDsMGeKUk0oTLnu3zoORnY0hQyX4j8jU7jqegG9ta4TDXy1W3L0/s1600/IMG_1687b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwFJXSHj7myXy5v4YL2DHVUERRO0OmhIO7mNKwve4Czp4pXAwtaaXlb2yvomsRuWdYTyHy8m7whm2OX9Hn3IWopd5ZkDsMGeKUk0oTLnu3zoORnY0hQyX4j8jU7jqegG9ta4TDXy1W3L0/s400/IMG_1687b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455595036812436594" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Getting caught up on field notes in the evening (photo by Brad Westrich).</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We set up, spread the tarp and got a campfire going.<span style=""> </span>Fajitas…mmmm.<span style=""> </span>That night I didn’t sleep well at all.<span style=""> </span>Woke up completely parched and with a massive headache.<span style=""> </span>I realized that I drank maybe 2 cups of water the previous day.<span style=""> </span>Stupid.<span style=""> </span>I took a couple of Alieve and downed a liter of water and went back to bed.<span style=""> </span>Fitful sleep and was up at dawn.<span style=""> </span>Still had a headache and let’s just say that the water didn’t stay with me either.<span style=""> </span>Barely could eat any breakfast and I really felt like sleeping another hour but there was work to do, so we packed up and headed upstream.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We reached the nest around 9am and easily made our way to the nest via a winding series of tapir trails.<span style=""> </span>Turned out that the Ceiba still had a single live strip of bark on the backside leading up to a small leafed out branch.<span style=""> </span>There was our macaw…staring down.<span style=""> </span>Okay, let’s scare this macaw off the nest and see what’s happening.<span style=""> </span>Brad and then I took turns slapping the tree.<span style=""> </span>And while you could tell it was getting agitated it would not budge.<span style=""> </span>Fifteen minutes and nothing!<span style=""> </span>I guess that means it’s really using this site.<span style=""> </span>I wasn’t about to shoot a line over the tree with the macaw just hanging out up there for fear of injuring it in the process.<span style=""> </span>From previous experience, that stubbornness suggests incubation.<span style=""> </span>So, hopefully when we return next time there will be a couple of recently hatched chicks in the nest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">That was exciting!<span style=""> </span>A confirmed active nest.<span style=""> </span>Morale was up and we moved back over to the first suspected nest area just upstream.<span style=""> </span>We reentered the area and stumbled into a series of clearly well used xatero trails and a small and not recently used lean-to frame.<span style=""> </span>We used the trail system to gain better vantage points from which to scan the trees for other potential trees…nothing.<span style=""> </span>Okay, this area looks pretty dry.<span style=""> </span>There was one forked stump with potential.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK10mIJNSC2B7m_1W6iUKEB2QPlftAJPefAtSx_5Nx_Se9pAM35-D8EOBStZvQHiKEBcJJeFThH1T7T4vI4RCqYg_B-ptDDqSAchWeqAwBDWUs7rx4AEZdRgYNxJSACcNEKFBF9dcBkGZ1/s1600/P3310030b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK10mIJNSC2B7m_1W6iUKEB2QPlftAJPefAtSx_5Nx_Se9pAM35-D8EOBStZvQHiKEBcJJeFThH1T7T4vI4RCqYg_B-ptDDqSAchWeqAwBDWUs7rx4AEZdRgYNxJSACcNEKFBF9dcBkGZ1/s400/P3310030b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455593727802802002" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad standing next to a xatero lean-to.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We left the area and began our exit to Bordel Camp.<span style=""> </span>Passing back through Natural Arch and arriving at the cave it was time to have an hour of fun.<span style=""> </span>We grabbed headlamps, cameras and a couple of candles and climbed up into the cave.<span style=""> </span>We walked around and then headed back to the inner cavern.<span style=""> </span>Using the candles was better than the headlamps; providing light all over and brighter light.<span style=""> </span>Guess my headlamp is less than one candle power!<span style=""> </span>It also lends an ambience to the cave.<span style=""> </span>The formations were small but pretty cool.<span style=""> </span>One nice column and one nearing completion… in a few hundred years.<span style=""> </span>But definitely some active formations.<span style=""> </span>What seemed like the beginning of a potential cavern on the previous visit was really not there.<span style=""> </span>With the lighting we had, it was apparent that the cave did not really progress much farther.<span style=""> </span>So we took a few more photos and headed back to the mouth of the cave.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_5YvWjnFFhf2b0zsfxOp1JOE-0D9MaPrYu0dfSTaFlaSQ0HUPSwdR2CBwGJFWPv8yiGf8SpBxWUQKZs2pcdcdHXZbk7Byn6aLCHynm7hk7ngwkAZapkxV_QJWHYXKtLjSNhUqC-XEMyN/s1600/IMG_1740c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_5YvWjnFFhf2b0zsfxOp1JOE-0D9MaPrYu0dfSTaFlaSQ0HUPSwdR2CBwGJFWPv8yiGf8SpBxWUQKZs2pcdcdHXZbk7Byn6aLCHynm7hk7ngwkAZapkxV_QJWHYXKtLjSNhUqC-XEMyN/s400/IMG_1740c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455597126883293250" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Beauty of the cave...and some cave dwellers.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">From there was stripped to the waist and jump down to the water; Brad doing a crazy back-slapping flip and I cannon-balled it.<span style=""> </span>The water felt great!<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiic_hdxtX67lJjJpvRmdYwff4fxNbGB-b_tooc5X09kPmlPTmIyCUV1CM4T047_kIH6Cn6exR2byFv-Ec0xhsYJYjzrjyFNlq5NUQAqoYHIYeEuxg0PGSKoySLrR9kbAMnZztNUsivkmY/s1600/P3310019b.jpg"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjfVgQySDi5nE3jDq7bo6YUCrNSCAd5-MUsFm2RqvWJA4D7rt_IZgI8bkwPjsbhmB2gKDyva7hw4co03EpQA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad doing a flip from the cave.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">We scrambled onto the kayaks and headed up.<span style=""> </span>Going through series after series of rapids we finally reached the one I recognized.<span style=""> </span>That’s where I almost flipped over.<span style=""> </span>I slowly walked up the boulders, looking down intensely.<span style=""> </span>A small white splotch caught my attention.<span style=""> </span>It elongated for a moment and then shortened.<span style=""> </span>I reached my hand down and felt in between the cobble.<span style=""> </span>There it was!<span style=""> </span>My machete!<span style=""> </span>Wedged down in the rocks.<span style=""> </span>Man I’m glad I wrapped the handle in white, waterproof medical tape only a few weeks before.<span style=""> </span>Lucky!<span style=""> </span>Things were really going well now.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We progressed past the Smokey Branch confluence when an Ornate Hawk-Eagle flew in and perched above us.<span style=""> </span>That was a first for Brad but it never gets old.<span style=""> </span>Those are magnificent birds with a brown head leading to a black crest.<span style=""> </span>Just beautiful.<span style=""> </span>It flew across the river and perched again, upsetting the brown jays and scaring a pair of mealy parrots.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiic_hdxtX67lJjJpvRmdYwff4fxNbGB-b_tooc5X09kPmlPTmIyCUV1CM4T047_kIH6Cn6exR2byFv-Ec0xhsYJYjzrjyFNlq5NUQAqoYHIYeEuxg0PGSKoySLrR9kbAMnZztNUsivkmY/s1600/P3310019b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiic_hdxtX67lJjJpvRmdYwff4fxNbGB-b_tooc5X09kPmlPTmIyCUV1CM4T047_kIH6Cn6exR2byFv-Ec0xhsYJYjzrjyFNlq5NUQAqoYHIYeEuxg0PGSKoySLrR9kbAMnZztNUsivkmY/s400/P3310019b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455594041324378690" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;">Ornate Hawk-Eagle above the Smokey Branch confluence.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We camped out at Bordel and I was out early…just exhausted from the day and a lack of sleep on the previous night.<span style=""> </span>Larry and Jaime (FCD rangers) arrived at 8:30am and in a couple of hours we were back at the base.<span style=""> </span>There was still plenty of time in the day so I decided to do a run down the lower Macal for a few kilometers to check out some potential areas.<span style=""> </span>There was activity seen just below the Guacamallo Bridge last year.<span style=""> </span>We put in and kayaked down to the first bend, slowing down and really scanning the quamwoods on the south bank.<span style=""> </span>Nothing going on there but then I heard macaws on the opposing side.<span style=""> </span>There was a pair sitting on a Quamwood tree just preening each other.<span style=""> </span>We spread out to get a better look.<span style=""> </span>After ten minutes of squawking and preening they flew downstream and out of sight.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We continued downstream and ran several nice rapids; one that knocked Brad out of his kayak and pinned him for a few seconds but he righted the boat and made it out.<span style=""> </span>I was stuck on the same rapid on a rock.<span style=""> </span>You can just feel the force of the water.<span style=""> </span>When I unwedged my kayak, the force was frightening; like riding a bull, it lifted my kayak and shot me through the rest of the run.<span style=""> </span>But it was really some exciting stuff.<span style=""> </span>I’ll have to mount my camera on the front of the kayak the next time we go through.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All in all, it was a good trip.<span style=""> </span>Next week, we hit the Macal.</p>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-45763201617604014982010-03-25T16:03:00.000-07:002010-03-25T17:20:14.436-07:00That...Monkeytail: 22-24 MarWe FINALLY made it to the upper Monkeytail Branch. And it quite lived up to its reputation. We drove down to Las Cuevas Research Station this past Monday morning. It was empty. No one is using the research station. Quite a bummer. It used to be humming with grad students. The only people there were a contingent of Belize Defense Force (BDF) who maintain a permanent presence there. <br /><br />We spoke with the commander about the condition of the trail to the river and then planned on parking near the trailhead before beginning the long drag to Monkeytail Branch. We were happy to find the trail quite navigable for 2-3km before ending at a large tree fall. Leading up to that we cut our way through a few smaller blocks. The most devastating thing occurred when I approached a tree that was bent over, with thick vines on the other side of the track. I thought that it was high enough to clear...but I was mistaken. The halting crunch was not good. Looking up through the moon roof of the Jeep to see the kayaks gone was not good. And getting out to see the rear rack ripped off the Jeep was definitely not good! <br /><br />We unstrapped the kayaks and moved them forward. Then I inspected the damage. The Jeep had some damage but not too bad...and the rack was fine. I just pulled out my toolbox and reinstalled the rack about 6-8 inches forward of where it previously sat. We strapped down the kayaks and pushed on.<br /><br />At the major tree fall we unloaded and I headed back to Las Cuevas, parked the Jeep and hiked back. From there we began the 2km overland kayak drag. This is not quite as fun as it sounds but is a great workout. All was going well until the track began to go up hill. Then the track disappeared into a thicket of dense vines and herbaceous vegetation. I pulled out my machete and sliced and beat through this while dragging my kayak and gear. The track would reappear and then disappear. Over and over. Was I going the right direction? Onward I pushed and again the track would appear. Whew! Exhausting is an understatement. After awhile, I only chopped were necessary and barreled through the rest. Twice we had to go over massive trees that had fallen directly across the track.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdeCdYxwAAlmdICgIM5FY0z-DCqjCxXFa-nPvovEyrOD3YcnV2QJoTlZQqBrXC_CcqzrQhSe232kmvv-Zd4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad dragging his kayak down the trail.</span><br /></div><br />Finally, we began the descent into the river valley. Still fighting through the occasional thicket and tree fall. With the descent also came the sliding kayak which sometimes careened into a deep rut. We heard the sound of running water and glimpsed the Monkeytail off to our right. Seeing a wall of vegetation in front of us on the road we abandoned that and headed straight for the river. We were there!<br /><br />Instead of setting up camp, it was about 4:30pm, I wanted to go up a bit. Big mistake. Already tired and dehydrated, we now had to walk up slippery, uneven terrain. After a few hundred meters enough was enough and we set up camp. After a hearty meal of fajitas we both passed out cold.<br /><br />The next morning we arose still sore. My collar bone was killing me where the strap laid across to drag my kayak. That took a couple of days to heal up. After breakfast we headed upstream a little ways before being turned back by an endless boulder field. We headed downstream, walking almost as much as paddling it seemed. But the habitat was great. Nice clumps of large Quamwood trees. <br /><br />We heard and saw several pairs of macaws along the Monkeytail that day. I spotted a pair sitting still and not really doing anything. This was quickly becoming indicative of there being a cavity nearby. We sat there watching them. Finally, one of the dove down sharply to the right. Where it went was out of our line of sight. So I moved downstream about 50m and there she was, head sticking out of a cavity in a Quamwood. Very cool! She stayed in there for a few minutes before they left screaming and flying to the east.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc7YF0KZyHSAS_M_UqeVcJ38TTDg9ZCPDAfsELyTFA4jMI2Qlah5QUouwSr_Hx4Vd68kImM7czBLeqFdG8Ga6_8fHsq9DRrj5zdzr5fpWK7JSzdCQ4e8xg6hwwqToQpYqrZZSfAB6eWfS/s1600/P3230005b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc7YF0KZyHSAS_M_UqeVcJ38TTDg9ZCPDAfsELyTFA4jMI2Qlah5QUouwSr_Hx4Vd68kImM7czBLeqFdG8Ga6_8fHsq9DRrj5zdzr5fpWK7JSzdCQ4e8xg6hwwqToQpYqrZZSfAB6eWfS/s400/P3230005b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452711349268097378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">We found a cavity on the Monkeytail.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We continued pushing down the Monkeytail, stopping for lunch at the confluence with a major tributary coming in from the southeast. We moved up this tributary for a little while before turning around.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOCWF2KvnsOLSBAB8xT6-XcSxTVdFQ0xIoPkAepT-jbdW7KEvAWVsi4OfXuYYfOLm69kablJO0_1VOrJGvflR9wHlPkTMD5OX60gCwqkrgfdKB9549gWFaJMJvQWzcwRKz2zkeGi4US2I/s1600/Videos+%285%29b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOCWF2KvnsOLSBAB8xT6-XcSxTVdFQ0xIoPkAepT-jbdW7KEvAWVsi4OfXuYYfOLm69kablJO0_1VOrJGvflR9wHlPkTMD5OX60gCwqkrgfdKB9549gWFaJMJvQWzcwRKz2zkeGi4US2I/s400/Videos+%285%29b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452712792805530754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad maneuvering through the rocks.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Moving down this river is just brutal. It crushes your feet, bites your ankles and bruises your shins. The uplifts of slick granite are just a nightmare to walk across, especially while dragging a kayak behind you. Seeing someone maneuvering down it must be hilarious to watch. Not so much to do. You finally have your footing and your kayaks comes up from behind and sweeps your feet out from under you. <br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwOWWdGyQcD6IgdKvPbZ-Nm_J_s7rOtqn1dA4z5OlZGqbminvRWkoHm11MK7s3AcJRmdjTEtMa8r4GFZIyb9w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad lowering his kayak down a waterfall...or waterless fall.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We made it to about 500m above the confluence with the Raspaculo Branch and found just a fantastic campsite. Beaten down, we plopped down and got a fire going. We were going all out tonight. Spaghetti, baked potatoes and roasted garlic. Mmmmm. friggin' fantastic meal. And we heard macaws flying overhead.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj8R2YVu7rpnfUKH59Lb9J7dS334Rfvtxz6dyfSOSNAb2ClyREYu8QODON9F248Yl-AKzmJql9O9tVdinBGuZ4v2m0sFQ32FL3-FwsiQVfy16NEpGtiWKM_GtZYJku5xgtWmNHLq3X9UE/s1600/IMG_1584b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj8R2YVu7rpnfUKH59Lb9J7dS334Rfvtxz6dyfSOSNAb2ClyREYu8QODON9F248Yl-AKzmJql9O9tVdinBGuZ4v2m0sFQ32FL3-FwsiQVfy16NEpGtiWKM_GtZYJku5xgtWmNHLq3X9UE/s400/IMG_1584b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452713954133646130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Charles at the confluence of the Raspaculo (left) and Monkeytail (right) Branches</span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />(photo courtesy of Brad Westrich)</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We headed down the reservoir the next day. There were two occasions were pairs were most likely investigating cavities but they wouldn't give in and flew off rather than show us the cavity. Also had a couple of nice foraging flocks.<br /></div><br /></div>We went up the Macal River a little bit but decided to make our way out of the reservoir since the wind was blowing in a favorable direction. Two hours later we were out and heading to the FCD ranger base. We unloaded everything and headed back to town.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKBT2xyWT3T3g_Jc82doiMLrAZcgl0gfr_rEthS6LVi2HEJDQc5S8xqux8rDRz8uOfoC-XtVe1DYGYCxevvINtRoopY5bpz3rAunQNM5pDltwK_BvUvOK1SpR8MacE3tN3ZqWoDu6pObC/s1600/IMG_1595b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKBT2xyWT3T3g_Jc82doiMLrAZcgl0gfr_rEthS6LVi2HEJDQc5S8xqux8rDRz8uOfoC-XtVe1DYGYCxevvINtRoopY5bpz3rAunQNM5pDltwK_BvUvOK1SpR8MacE3tN3ZqWoDu6pObC/s400/IMG_1595b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452713468905380226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Here I am driving back to town...maybe happy..maybe a little<br />crazy (photo courtesy of Brad Westrich).</span><br /></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4253992403281985758.post-38495884667972916842010-03-21T10:28:00.000-07:002010-03-25T16:02:26.795-07:00Eggs in the Chiquibul: 16-19 FebThis week we traveled back to Cushtabani Camp on the Raspabulo Branch in hopes of revisiting three nests we had found earlier in the season. For our 100km of paddling, we were delighted to find eggs in two of the nests locating three additional cavities with macaw activity.<br /><br />We began this past Tuesday morning, driving out early after munching on an assortment of street vendor greasy breakfast foods...quite filling. We loaded up at the FCD ranger base and were on the reservoir by 10am. By the time we reached the confluence of the Macal and Raspaculo Brad and I felt as if we had both ingested about 5 Benadryl each. Lethargic and sleepy, we searched the confluence for macaw activity. Finding none, we set up camp at the spring near the confluence.<br /><br />The next morning we began the trip up the Raspaculo leg of the reservoir. On the way up, observed 3 pairs moving around checking out several cavities along one stretch. One pair eventually flew downstream, another pair visited a cavity that was active the week before and the last pair looked on as this pair inspected the cavity.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbFkKbW0rQ-WilCxiadEJtp-js3XkmmIySQKU-kMSJav0wcX9BMoh3oVKjjKPU_swWnxzS4JiDyKIAViKJHFhVSv3bAeLQlhaCqBE6Az_hzdHxeWqbndY3Mrd1Stz5KCq3J-QJ3_ZKXRZ/s1600-h/P3170046b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbFkKbW0rQ-WilCxiadEJtp-js3XkmmIySQKU-kMSJav0wcX9BMoh3oVKjjKPU_swWnxzS4JiDyKIAViKJHFhVSv3bAeLQlhaCqBE6Az_hzdHxeWqbndY3Mrd1Stz5KCq3J-QJ3_ZKXRZ/s400/P3170046b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451146974548401554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A macaw pair inspecting a cavity on the reservoir.<br /></span></div><br />We moved on not wanting to disturb these macaws as they were still in the inspecting phase of nesting. We continued up the river, observing 39 macaws along the way. There was one tree with several pairs all displaying various forms of pair-bonding; from simply preening each other's heads to another pair hanging upside down while spreading their wings completely out. Another couple began to copulate nearby. Hmmm, maybe there is a nest tree nearby.<br /><br />One the 18th, we were able to visit two nests observed on the last visit. Both had eggs! The first was rather close to the river. We made our way up a Tapir track to the base of the tree. Then had to clear out some vines in order to get a shot at putting a line over a branch. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rFFbyE8lFP_KdpQzsDiHAZ30KsU4SpemTl5N5QVOOl1Tt1LtjggW4Pijem3A_ZOWT982UAAG3vSH-V7gnhK_thg8uoB4op0Cxd9GZa9iXP2iH7xoGdyEoUZduYfdt61J6YLG0gvqAdlo/s1600-h/P3180058b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rFFbyE8lFP_KdpQzsDiHAZ30KsU4SpemTl5N5QVOOl1Tt1LtjggW4Pijem3A_ZOWT982UAAG3vSH-V7gnhK_thg8uoB4op0Cxd9GZa9iXP2iH7xoGdyEoUZduYfdt61J6YLG0gvqAdlo/s400/P3180058b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451148627786457458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nest tree up the Raspaculo.<br /></span></div><br />The real problem was that the female wouldn't leave the nest and I didn't want to risk hitting her with the slingshot. Brad tried slapping the tree a few times to no avail. I then walked up to the tree and gave it a solid sharp slap. She popped out like a cork! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit7XLfGgHkJBHcGbYTSV9PUy7xLcerBNXOMEcOEZNKucsjY8wxpz9ZEGwzUKqwVO_U4Y-N21MJrPoTwpZM_iXv1ZpBighckNzTB9zL0Ght98A4OsuW_HU8Ma4JvzCgscLNuwCK6Vkurhx/s1600/P3180007c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgit7XLfGgHkJBHcGbYTSV9PUy7xLcerBNXOMEcOEZNKucsjY8wxpz9ZEGwzUKqwVO_U4Y-N21MJrPoTwpZM_iXv1ZpBighckNzTB9zL0Ght98A4OsuW_HU8Ma4JvzCgscLNuwCK6Vkurhx/s400/P3180007c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452693647082878162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">A stubborn pair and there egg.<br /></span></div><br />We pulled out the climbing gear and I shot a line over. We were ready to roll. The next issue was maneuvering through the canopy of vines and acacia. I made it through but t was slow going. After making it up to the cavity I put the camera in the hole and snapped this shot of a single egg. Nice! They've started. I quickly switched over to the descending gear and lowered myself back through the canopy with Brad swinging me away from the nastier parts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzz8hYza7Vc0bfvY1KNEpVUrq80QABspUnZjadIlxrUBRIg9lIRlye0ChNdeSUxPfo45YNrJPhTBssajdUgBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Working on their nest the month before.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We pushed on to the next nest location situated just below Cushtabani Camp. Along the way we heard macaws on the north side of the river. A glimpsed something red through a crack in the dense riparian vegetation. There was a macaw inspecting a slit cavity located on a tree trunk. It then flew over to an adjacent tree and inspected another cavity with its mate. Still in the inspection phase, we noted the location and moved on.<br /><br />We reached the next Cushtabani nest location where about a month before we had observed a pair checking out a cavity. Where was it. We neared the location and Brad spotted the place where a river otter had hissed at that very spot. We moved about another 25m or so upstream. Ahha. We were looking at the tree from an angle upstream of the tree itself, but still no activity. I then looked up at a tree with a large broken fork and there was a macaw with her head sticking out just checking us out! 'Ah, and there is the macaw', I said with my best nonchalant voice belying the excitement I felt.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWHKU1M0bdWRfkj_J0CTJYR_Jj6uPY-DkdhWbvdLrPVVD3nfD2iqvJO7cQJzgQGxeB08hg693gM3_igxRH-JiFRUG2TjenPiKP7qPbrJxHJRlFOFJzCPSHYMb4zo_7Dk6xZXuAZaYJAZ2/s1600/P3180068c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWHKU1M0bdWRfkj_J0CTJYR_Jj6uPY-DkdhWbvdLrPVVD3nfD2iqvJO7cQJzgQGxeB08hg693gM3_igxRH-JiFRUG2TjenPiKP7qPbrJxHJRlFOFJzCPSHYMb4zo_7Dk6xZXuAZaYJAZ2/s400/P3180068c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452693157113543330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Nest below Cushtabani Camp and their three eggs.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We chopped a path up through the eight feet tall grass and pushed into the open gallery understory. Not bad...but how to shoot a line with a slingshot through all of those vines? Well, we're here so let's try. Three shots and we were in business. Maybe the repetitions were beginning to help? It was Brad's turn at climbing this one. Man the canopy was twice as dense. I tried to help through moving the rope this way and that but in the end he had to do most of the moving. The parents were rather cooperative in exiting the nest and hanging out nearby...shreeking from time to time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Brad maneuvered himself to below the nest and shoved the camera up into the cavity. Snap...looking at the photo he called down with excitement, 'Three eggs!' Very cool. That's a large clutch. Maybe two of those will survive to fledge. Brad then maneuvered back through the dense canopy and we were done for the day. <br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqKzFor_9-X5J1oGEWJ0Vtn8sgVlGRSuhlAZn6BnTukvKelHX7ePngmCwNAvQNKMGGcJdIXGArzkMG1Y4hoS_DPfZK3185tDfGrXxMzDOeVIX0m_zNkaRuVL8P1lSDHKRgHyG58A5-iZ6/s1600-h/P3180025b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqKzFor_9-X5J1oGEWJ0Vtn8sgVlGRSuhlAZn6BnTukvKelHX7ePngmCwNAvQNKMGGcJdIXGArzkMG1Y4hoS_DPfZK3185tDfGrXxMzDOeVIX0m_zNkaRuVL8P1lSDHKRgHyG58A5-iZ6/s400/P3180025b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451148165746850098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">View from the nest.<br /></span></div><br />Daylight was beginning to wind down for the day. I wanted to push up to look for a campsite. We made our way up another few hundred meters and there was another pair hanging out in a tree. Eventually they flew down to some notch. Not being able to see well I paddled upstream. They were sitting on a cavity. Another hundred meters up was a decent place to camp. As we were moving our gear up I turned back and observed one of the birds entering the cavity. Very cool!<br /><br />The next morning they were still there. We moved up to Cushtabani and then turned around. All of the nests were still occupied aswe moved downstream. We camped up on a nice slope on the Raspaculo. However, we discovered the next day that I had left my leatherman at the last site and Brad left a sock. We'll see if they're still there the next time we visit the area. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK6xFFlEL7pZlJcCAsW_LD84KlnZbA4c0_KhZ6KPJZReSAUiEyKjU022J_II_2et48R0ku_pIlsgeXzO-DdFSIbrGlrVaS7zWX0NB8rb5sNHltFTW3u059cmFRtwICOZNoGVgMpI0UKhM/s1600-h/P3190038b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK6xFFlEL7pZlJcCAsW_LD84KlnZbA4c0_KhZ6KPJZReSAUiEyKjU022J_II_2et48R0ku_pIlsgeXzO-DdFSIbrGlrVaS7zWX0NB8rb5sNHltFTW3u059cmFRtwICOZNoGVgMpI0UKhM/s400/P3190038b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451149414999810706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">My poor beaten down binoculars; the workhorse (in addition to the kayaks) of this adventure.<br /></span></div><br />The last day started out very nice and scenic. We stopped at a beautiful pool to take it in and listen to some nearby macaws. We then noticed a huge xatero trail, new trash and a couple of recently used campfires. Hmmmm.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hmWNys9PwaKoKIjh80NWINCawM_hQmj7HSb-1DOqO7B04fHk861DiRXuG3Prfs6y5unu_h90bz17BCuS2kNxcGxLkF5-iTdGalFRI30-uWLkY-U8WTTTwtT7k8zNA79dPN4HGivvhFfg/s1600-h/P3190036b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hmWNys9PwaKoKIjh80NWINCawM_hQmj7HSb-1DOqO7B04fHk861DiRXuG3Prfs6y5unu_h90bz17BCuS2kNxcGxLkF5-iTdGalFRI30-uWLkY-U8WTTTwtT7k8zNA79dPN4HGivvhFfg/s400/P3190036b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451149316064967250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Brad and myself taking in a beautiful pool on the Raspaculo Branch.<br /></span></div><br />We paddled down the reservoir and decided to just go for taking out that evening. It was crazy; the wind turned swiftly against us. We paddled into gale force winds. The chop was throwing water into our faces and the wind nearly ripped the paddles out of our hands...it was intense! and exhausting. We passed Rubber Camp on the main part of the reservoir as the light began fading. <br /><br />Being afraid of missing our pick up, I picked up the pace. Darkness began to descend and the clouds rolled in. Soon we were paddling across the reservoir in complete darkness with only the faint sillouette of the hills sides acting as a directional guide. I paddled into one inlet to find that I had turned in too soon. I pulled out my headlamp and flashed it back towards Brad before continuing on. Soon I could see the shape of an island (now a peninsula in the low water of the dry season) that sits across the Ballerina Rd take out. I flashed my headlamp and Gliss flashed the headlamp from my Jeep. Ah, a sigh of relief. We were out. <br /></div></div>Charles Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12876701429523790790noreply@blogger.com0