Blogs from Napo, East, Ecuador, South America

Poet, novelist and travel writer William Graham lives in Stowe, Vermont. His latest children’s book was inspired by the Amazon: url=https://www.audible.com/pd/Teens/Olivia-Turners-Amazing-Amazon-Adventure-Audiobook/B079THBCW3?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=FDN18PXSFTA3FS7V66SM&Olivia Turner’s Amazing Amazon Adventure. Over my head a brilliant blue morpho butterfly danced in the humid jungle air. It was a splash of blue against a curtain of endless green. In the trees monkeys jumped from branch to branch like Olympic gymnasts. In the sky, more species of birds than I could ever hope to know flew through the vast Amazon sky. These images represent the beauty of the Amazon rainforest. But as I came to discover on a recent trip to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, the forest is not always benign. Plants, animals and... read more

The statistics for the Amazon Basin are mind-blowing, even in what was, briefly, our infinitesimal part of it. Only 1.67% of Amazonia falls within Ecuador’s borders, yet it comprises just over half of Ecuador’s landmass. One hectare may contain more species of tree than the entirety of North America. The whole area contains approximately 5% of the world’s plants. More than 600 of mainland Ecuador’s over 1,600 identified species of bird have been seen here, about half of all species of bird found in the entire Amazon basin. There are more than 4,000 species of orchid. Of the 410 species of mammal, 165 are bats and 15 are monkeys. With over 450 species of amphibians, Ecuador is third in the world in terms of diversity of amphibians, and is seventh in diversity of reptiles with approximately ... read more

According to the website of the Jatun Sacha Foundation their Amazonian reserve is situated at: The southern bank of the Upper Napo River, at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level, at 1º 04' S, 77º 36' W, in the Napo Province of Ecuador. This is the edge of Amazonia and was our chance to complete some volunteer work in an area that was always an ambition to visit. Ants, termites, butterflies, bugs and birds are abundant visitors and easy to see each day during the volunteer activities. Humidity and rain were constant companions during our month long stay in this ecological hotspot. During your time as a volunteer, you will assist with reforestation and learn about the forest. You might be able to teach English and will enhance your Spanish. You will almost definitely ... read more

Hi Folks. The main thing that kept me busy during the five weeks in the Yachana Reserve was my studying towards the qualification to be able to lead and supervise biological surveys. I chose to research amphibians and reptiles of the neotropics because they are so fascinating. It was a lot of work but I succeeded! I learned a lot in a short time and I really enjoyed every minute of it. Because the majority of these fabulous creatures are nocturnal, most of the field work was done at night in the rainforest, often requiring us to wade through streams and rivers and climb steep ravines in the rain, dodging tarantulas, scorpions and spiky plants en route.. The night VES (visual encounter survey) involved 6 people walking in a line for 500 meters over the course ... read more

Just Wednesday before I left to the Rainforest my company told me that I have to join a couple from England to the Yacuma Lodge. My task was to accompany them on the way to the lodge and be for 5days their translator, as the local guide speeks only Spanish. Finally I had received a really interesting task! What made the whole situation a little bit difficult was, I did not had a clue how to get there. So therefore I asked some colleagues and received some information about the stations and where more or less I could buy the tickets. Feels kinda strange when you have to guide someone without knowing much as well. However I managed that we arrived in the lodge finally at 4pm! I was really released. Actually the whole journey went ... read more