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Living the Fitzcarraldo Dream ... "The sheer magnitude of the Amazon river is truely breathtaking and is something which really has to be seen to be believed." Flanked on both sides by rainforest and the occaisional Cocama indian settlement, we sailed for 3 days down the Amazon and several smaller tributaries to Pithecia, a remote area in the heart of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Due to the unusually high water levels, we were able to sail much deeper into the rainforest than had been possible on previous trips, which offered some unique research opportunities, although it didn't come without its challenges!  
There are two main types of rainforest in Peru; Terra firma (or upland rainforest) and Varzea (or flooded rainforest). Pithecia is located in the latter and during high water season, heavy rainfall in the Andes outside of the river basin, means that river levels are around 8 meters higher than during low season; a situation which gives rise to a unique and stangely mystical flooded forest environment. A mosiac of greens and alive with all manners of brightly coloured birds, low lying trees and branches overhang endless channels and pools of water; their roots submerged deep below. Higher up in the canopy, monkeys chatter to one another as they gather fruits, whilst the air is alive with the screech of Macaws and the haunting call of the howler monkey. The Samiria is a black-water river system, so the water is naturally dark brown in colour; an ideal cover for the Piraña and Caimen which lurk below. Indeed, one of my favourite research activities was paddling through low hanging flooded forest at night, alive with the sound of a 1000 insects, in an effort to catch Caimen to weigh and sex them. Charlotte Gale, Pacay Samiria Reserve, Peruvian Amazon 2008 About me: I am 30 year old geography graduate with a passion for travel and photography. My constant desire to discover new places and cultures and to get off the beaten track has led me to explore large parts of Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and the Middle East. Following a 6 year career in internet marketing, I now act as an e-marketing consultant for a number of organisations, as well as running a successful photography business.  If you want to order any of my products, have a particular photo you would like to commission for yourself or for a friend or are interested in employing my services as an e-marketing consultant or freelance photographer, please use the contact form provided or phone me on +44 7745 538424 to discuss your options. Photos come signed, mounted and in a choice of four frames - black, dark brown, pine and white. Prices start at £18 each (excl p&p), making them the perfect gift for a friend ... or yourself! view price guidelines  view product specifications back to range page |