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Welcome To Peru Nature Blog
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
 "Reading about and looking at pictures of the Amazon Rainforest is one thing; being in the thick of it is something else entirely! Every day was full of surprises at the TRC as there is such a wealth of biodiversity that it's impossible not to stumble on something new and unexpected as you go about your activities. And while the parrots fly home when night falls, it certainly didn't herald the end of the day but rather the beginning of a new one with its own unique challenges and rewards. Every day and every hour of my week there has been a memorable experience and, as I left, I was already thinking of when to return." ~Marc Oliver
Marc Oliver took some beautiful photos during his visit and was kind enough to share them with us. To see more of his work, check out his Flickr page.
 
Labels: Amazon rainforest, Peru, Peruvian Amazon, Photography, scarlet macaw, Tambopata National Reserve, tambopata research center, Tropical rainforest by: Peru Nature 0 Comments 
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
 What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a psychotropic medicine originally used by indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforests of South America. It is taken as a drink prepared by a traditional healer, called a Shaman. Preparation involves boiling leaves from the Ayahuasca vine together with leaves from the Chacruna plant as well as the bark of various native trees. Ayahuasca should only be taken under the guidance of an experienced Shaman who can help an individual better understand their visions.
While Ayahuasca has been used by natives to the Amazon for more than 5,000 years, only in recent years has it gained the attention of modern doctors, psychologists, scientists, philosophers, and religious and spiritual leaders. It is said to have the ability to cure many ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, HIV, addictions, cancer, anxiety, depression. Whether looking for an alternative to modern medicine, seeking answers to life’s questions, or wanting nothing more than the cultural adventure, many travelers journey to Tambopata to participate in a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony.
What is an Ayahuasca ceremony?
An Ayahuasca ceremony is led by a Shaman and often takes place in a Maloka, which is a hut or a special place dedicated to the ritual. It takes place at night and can last anywhere from six to eight hours. Participants in the ceremony form a circle by sitting or laying on the floor on cushions or mats. Each person is given a container to use in the event that the medicine’s effects on the body induce vomiting. The atmosphere will be calm and the room will be dark or very faintly lit with candles.
The ceremony is sometimes opened by clearing the room of bad energy and evil spirits, this is done through carrying out a short ritual using leaves from the Tobacco plant, another master plant of the Amazon. Following this, each individual, one by one, is given the opportunity to drink Ayahuasca. The Shaman also takes the drink, this helps him understand and interpret each persons’ visions. Participants are encouraged to remain silent and relaxed while the Shaman chants. As the infusion begins to take effect, the Shaman may approach individuals to discuss their visions and offer comfort or encouragement. At the end of the evening, as the effects wear off, the ceremony is closed by lighting more candles and allowing participants to discuss their experiences with each other.
 How do I prepare for an Ayahuasca ceremony?
For three days prior and three days after, those who wish to take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony should abstain from alcohol, acidic foods (such as citrus), spicy foods, red meat (especially pork), papaya fruit (very common in the Amazon), and sexual activity. It is also important to prepare mentally for the ceremony, an Ayahuasca ceremony should be entered into with an open mind and positive attitude.
What does it taste like?
In general, Ayahuasca is not palatable, it is thick, gritty and bitter, with a mud-like consistency. The infusion is not drunk for it’s flavor as the taste alone can elicit a gag-reflex. Following the medicine with a glass of water will help take away the unpleasantness of the drink.
Will I vomit?
Ayahuasca is a purgative medicine, and while everyone reacts differently, vomiting is common. The Shamans believe this to be a means of expelling bad things inside of us, and is not something to be afraid of. In most Ayahuasca ceremonies, participants are provided with a vessel into which they can purge if necessary.
What will I see and experience when I take Ayahuasca?
Each person who takes Ayahuasca responds differently. For some, it can be a strictly visual experience, allowing them to see colors and shapes more brilliantly or see things that do not exist in the physical world. Others have described the experience as emotional sometimes causing them to cry. Shamans view crying as a form of positive emotional release. Many say that Ayahuasca helps them to better understand themselves or see certain situations in their life more clearly. They enter the ceremony with questions which the plant helps them answer. It has been said that Ayahuasca allows you to see into your past, present and future. While this may be true, it is important to remember that the visions you see may not be true representations of the future, but instead might represent your hopes or fears.
For some individuals, an Ayahuasca ceremony can be a very dark experience, giving them the perception of passing into the underworld from which only the Shaman can bring them back. Some have even described it as an exorcism of the demons inside themselves.
It is important to keep in mind that Ayahuasca is a curative plant, therefore, visions or feelings that you experience while on it are meant to help you to heal. Remember that is it important to take Ayahuasca in a safe place with an experienced Shaman who can support you and help you better understand your experience.
What will I feel like the day after?
The day after drinking Ayahusaca, you will feel tired from having stayed up late the night before. Many people describe feeling peaceful and reflective following an Ayahuasca ceremony.
If you are interested in having your own Ayahuasca experience, check out our wellness and holistic tours.
For further questions or to share your experience, please comment on this blog. Labels: ayahuasca, cultural activities, holistic, spiritual by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Pandemonium Aviaries is located on the Peninsula near Stanford University in California. To shield the endangered bird species from too much human interaction and disruption, we do not publish our exact location and are not open to the public. Our main mission is to preserve certain bird species until they can be returned to the native habitats. Most of the birds face extinction due to habitat loss, competition with new predators, and war. We call our approach Avian Recovery for Conservation (ARC). The ARC Program is an innovative and forward thinking initiative dedicated to saving endangered birds and the rapidly disappearing knowledge necessary to sustain avian lives. If there is a choice, saving birds in their natural habitat is the preferred method. What do you do, however, if conservation in their natural habitat is not possible? The endangered birds that are the current focus of the ARC are endemic to New Guinea. Conditions on this island currently do not support adequate bird conservation. Pandemonium Aviaries has developed an innovative program to save target New Guinea birds by conserving those New Guinea bird (and their offspring) that were once imported into the USA. Our program makes it possible for aviculturists to breed parent raised birds for conservation purposes, rather than to breed them for sale to the pet market. We purchase flocks of endangered birds, and allow breeders to retain their birds until the breeders retire or die. Then the birds come to us. Furthermore, by apprenticing young bird breeders to master breeders, we ensure that breeding expertise and knowledge is preserved along with flocks. Our long term goal is return of our birds to the wild. At the cornerstone of ARC are partnerships with conservation groups who are experts in habitat protection, species reintroduction and avian health. We will protect birds and knowledge until it is safe to return them to the wild. At that point we will place the birds with our conservation partners since they have the expertise to complete the conservation program. We use established and proven conservation methods in a creative manner focusing on exotic birds currently in the USA. Our role is to preserve the birds, the knowledge and the art of bird keeping. At the cornerstone of ARC are partnerships with conservation groups who are experts in habitat protection, species reintroduction and avian health. We will protect birds and knowledge until it is safe to return them to the wild. At that point we will place the birds with our conservation partners since they have the expertise to complete the conservation program. ARC is a ten-year program. We have donated land, we have interested bird keeper/partners, we have the endorsement of major aviculture groups and leading scientists. Pandemonium Aviaries is poised for an immediate start once the funds are raised. We can’t wait. The flocks and the knowledgeable ‘old time’ bird keepers are aging. The window of opportunity is shrinking. Please contact info@PandemoniumAviaries.org if you can help. Take a video tour of Pandemonium Aviaries: Pandemonium Aviaries Video  by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Rainforest Expeditions is happy to announce that Jeff Cremer (our photography tour instructor) is having one of his high resolution gigapixel images published in the largest Atlas ever printed - Earth Platinum.
The picture to be published is a 4,000 megapixel panorama of the desert oasis of Huacachina located south of Lima, Peru.
The huge atlas contains only 128 pages but it weighs in at an astonishing 150kg, measuring six ft by 4½ ft, making it taller than some of its editors.
It may even be the world’s largest published book. With only 31 copies of Earth Platinum being produced and each copy is to be priced at $100,000, it must also be one of the most expensive.
 The prior record for the largest atlas dates all the way back to the 17th century when the famous Klencke Atlas was gifted to Charles the II by a group of Dutch merchants. Thebook, measuring an amazing 5 ft. x 3 ft. was presented in recognition of his restoration to the English throne in 1660. The atlas, now in the safekeeping of the British Library, was put on public display with its pages open for the first time in 350 years at the 2010 Magnificent Maps exhibition. Guinness World Records stated:
“We at Guinness World Records are thrilled and honored to be witnessing the production of what we're sure will be the world's largest atlas. It will represent the breaking of a record that has stood since circa 1660 and, in this era of digital content, will provide a unique, valuable, enduring and unforgettable perspective on the world we live in.”
If you ever get a chance to see the book Jeffs' image is on page 26 and if you ever get a chance to visit the Peruvian Amazon you can take a photography tour and learn how its done.
You can also view an online version of the published image by clicking here: Huacachina, Peru -Gigapixel Panorama. You can also find other gigapixel panoramas here: DiffractionUnlimited.net
by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tambopata,Peru, often referred to as the “capital of biodiversity” is a birdwatcher's paradise. This region is home to 10% of the world’s parrot species. A primary feature is a series of exposed riverbanks along the Tambopata where Macaws go to eat clay.
Scientist have identified two possible theories as to why Macaws eat clay: 1. To neutralize the toxins they ingest by eating rainforest fruits, nuts, flowers and leaves. 2. To get minerals such as sodium, which they may need in their diet. Guidelines for visiting a claylick along the Tambopata river:
● Tambopata Research Center: Home to the famous Macaw Research Project. This comfortable lodge takes 8 hours to get to by boat from Puerto Maldonado so it best if you have at least 4 nights to stay. Spend the first and last night at Rainforest Expeditions closer lodge Refugio Amazonas and the nights inbetween at the research center. ● Refugio Amazonas : As a charming 32 bedroom lodge, it is well placed immediately adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve. A comprehensive program includes a morning visit to the claylick, complete with guide.
Check out Tambopata Birdwatching Tours for more info.
by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Friday, April 20, 2012
Are you can expert in a topic that my be of interest to Rainforest Expeditions readers? Do you have a knack for writing? If so, you may want to consider exchanging a guest post with us. If you are a business owner, blogger or just like to share your knowledge, writing a guest blog post is a great way to get your message to thousands of readers. There are two types guest blogging options to choose from:
Submit your article idea to jscremer@gmail.com with GUEST POST in the subject line. Include a basic outline of what you will be writing about. Also, be sure to include any website links you will be referring to in the article including your own (if applicable). If we find that your article idea is a good fit, you will receive an email confirmation letting you know that it’s been accepted.  Labels: Blog, Social media, tambopata by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Monday, April 9, 2012
Boat rides on the Tambopata River occasionally result in sightings of a Jaguar (Panthera onca), the largest cat in the Americas. Although guests visiting Tambopata eco-lodges run by Rainforest Expeditions can’t expect to see this near mythical feline on every visit to the Peruvian jungle, they do have a better chance of seeing it while traveling along wild areas the Tambopata Reserve than many other places in its range. Jaguars are regularly seen in the Tambopata region because this huge area of wild forests and wetlands plays host to plenty of peccaries, tapirs, and other animals that are preyed upon by the neotropical king of the jungle. In addition, much of the Tambopata River between Refugio Amazonas and the Tambopata Research Center is strictly protected wilderness and this part of the river is precisely where these big cats are occasionally seen. They also occur in the forests near Posada Amazonas but apparently don’t feel as comfortable about sitting out on the shore as they do further upriver. Check out this video of a Jaguar that jungle guide Pedro Lima took: Click here for some interesting facts about the Jaguar by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
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