A Visit to Yasuní National Park
One of the highlights of visiting Yasuní National Park was seeing the parrot clay licks. The first clay lick was disappointing with the parrots staying up in the canopy making just noise to taunt us. While on the canoe we saw Dusky-headed Parakeets (Aratinga weddellii) and Yellow-crowned Parrots (Amazona ochrocephala). At the next clay lick we had a long wait but our patience paid off. We saw a magnificent Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) along with dozens of Cobalt-winged Parakeets (Brotogeris cyanoptera) and Orange-cheeked Parrots (Pyrilia barrabandi). Parrots lick the clay to supplement their diet with salts and minerals that they would not otherwise get from their diet. As we were observing the parrots a raptor flew overhead and disturbed them, causing hundreds of parrots to flee. As they were flying they produced a sea of greens and blues and reds. Later we went for a walk with Hector in which he showed us many of the skills used by the indigenous groups. We climbed trees, using vines strung around our ankles, ate lemon flavoured ants, learned how to make darts from palms and find water in certain types of vines. Hector also showed us tracks of many animals including peccary and jaguars. We finished off the trip with a relaxing canoe ride and a beautiful sunset. All in all, an amazing memorable trip for the last weekend here on GVI Amazon rainforest and community conservation expedition.
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