This unfortunately required a further day in Moyobamba and we had to miss the planned visit to Lamas. I did recall mixing up mine and Dad’s drinking bottles before trekking to Yumilla, so I blamed it on that, as my illness seemed remarkably similar to he had at the Kenti Cafe. Unfortunately that evening I felt lousy and within minutes was violently sick with painful stomach cramps. After three hours I had little to show, but we did agree to try the following day. Of course witnessing this bird is one thing, taking a photograph is another challenge entirely. The males have a very dark green plumage, except for the white rump and rufous, dark-tipped orange crest, glossy green throat patch and elongated white feathers on the upper chest. It measures about 3in (about 8cm) in length including the tail. This hummingbird, whilst tiny, is almost as impressive as the Marvellous Spatuletail. However there were many we had not seen and it was not long before the Rufous-Crested Croquette turned up. The number of hummingbirds was truly impressive after all we had seen and yet again there were many new species which we had not witnessed in the Kenti Cafe and Huembo. There was a tree house in the middle of the clearing and feeders were positioned all the way around the house. The hummingbird area was a short walk up hill from the Orchids, and as one approached the noise was impressive. These included “Phragmipedum, Cattleya, Licaste, Oncidium, Epidendrum, Anguolas, Maxilaria, Phragmipedum Caudatum, Cattleya Rex,” also species from bromeliads, mosses and some tropical ferns. This Orchid farm grows more than 150 orchid species with a huge variety of shapes, colours, sizes and concentrations. I was not expecting to be so absorbed in these plants, but they were fascinating and finding out that many were so endangered that this was only place where they could be viewed easily, made this visit all the more interesting. The entrance fee to the reserve includes a guided tour around the Orchid area, which was fabulous. As we arrived in the Tuk Tuk we were met by the owner’s daughter. This is another private reserve and to be honest more famous for its Orchids than the hummingbirds, but nonetheless an exceptional home to over twenty five species including its own super hummer, the Rufous-Crested Croquette. The next day we headed straight up to Wakanki on side of the hills in the rainforest overlooking Moyobamba. This offered a small change in variety of cuisine from the Andean stuff we had eaten over the past ten days. We also returned to eat at La Olla de Barro where we enjoyed their jungle menu. Alfonso was also super helpful in organising Dad an appointment with a nurse at the local clinic, to have his wounds dressed and checked for infection. Moyobamba at the base of the cloud forest was humid and warm in complete contrast to where we had been and I was determined to open up the ruck sack and dry out everything from Cuispes. Alfonso was very please to see us at El Portion and it did feel as if we were returning home. We both slept through the rest of the journey back to Moyobamba, which was a shame as we missed the dramatic scenery. This place we could visit en route to Moyobamba, but Paul did mention that to have the best chance of seeing the Marvellous Spatultail, we must arrive as dawn breaks, therefore we organised this early morning start This private reserve is located mid way between Pedro Ruiz and Lake Pomacochas and has been financed with American donations as a reserve for the Marvellous Spatultail hummingbird, amongst others. What was also good news was that he was a bird enthusiast and when I mentioned to him about my disappointment of being unable to show Dad the Marvellous Spatultail hummingbird, he mentioned that we should go to Huembo Private Reserve. He did though speak no English so I was impressed that I had been able to organise this trip to Moyobamba on the phone with him. Paul had a nice new Toyota, which was comfortable and which he drove safely. However where as before, we had ended up with an awful and expensive taxi that crashed half way through the journey - this time we decided to take Paul, whom we had met the previous day when Carlos dropped us in Pedro Ruiz. We were now going to use Paul to take us back to Moyobamba where we were booked in again with Alfonso at the Hospedaje el Porton. When I suggested an early morning start of 4.00am to Dad, I did think I might be a little mad, however in view of the fact neither of us got any sleep, it seemed not such a ridiculous decision.
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