Another 0430 start and back in the boat as the sun rose to travel an hour down stream, to see the macaws at their clay-lick. I have seen many photos of this extraordinary activity and one can’t really believe it, but ….. OMG it is just incredible. Denys took some photos and videos through his telescope …. see below. The clay is rich in calcium, salt and potassium which is lacking in the parrots diet of fruit and veg so they need regular doses to neutralise their diet. They go to the same spot every two or three days. There is a charming Hungarian, George, (who I had to talk to as he looked identical to Ed Watson – ballet dancer Tim!) who has returned with the BBC team having studied the Macaws for his PHD. Fascinating to hear about their breeding/conservation programme – I have been learning lots. They marry for life!
We had a very hot breakfast on the beach and then quite a hairy journey back to the lodge. The boat drivers are so skilled the way they navigate the ever changing waters from the back of a long, long boat guided by a boat-boy and his stick at the front. However, not always successfully and the boat ran aground several times and finally resulted in us having to get out as the guys pushed! But we made it ……
In the afternoon, Denys took us on a ‘sunset cruise’ with another American family from Florida. Unfortunately we did not get the memo about ordering drinks and Lesley and I and out new friend Brian from Seattle, looked enviously on the Americans had their beers. We stopped at the furthest point of the reserve in the most beautiful spot with the Andes in the background and watched the sun go down. En route we saw some new birds – the anhinga, razor billed carrasow and a very pretty pink roseate spoonbill. Brian whose passion is animal tracking also got very excited about some deer tracks…
A jolly but pretty disgusting last supper with Brian and Lesley and an early night with my roommates – different friends this time, bigger (including a bat flying through, I think) but less determined to get through the mosquito net, so a relatively peaceful night.
EC-Rider Travels 
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