Peruvian Thoughts

[Varillal, or white sand stunted forest. Trail/net lane in middle]

I finally left Peru. And it is hard to believe, but it was three weeks ago.

I wanted to give myself some time before I put my last thoughts about Peru up. Give my thoughts time to sort themselves out. Allow the Christmas and New Year's excitement to live on their own. Keep Peru from being interfered with.

For the first time on one of my field jobs, I don't feel I have any really strong lasting images of the trip that spring right to mind when I think back on it.

Australia (2009) has the fairy-wrens, parrots of all kinds, magpies, kangaroos, people, bowers, and the hikes. New Zealand (2009-10) has the Yellow-eyed Penguin. And the Nelson Lakes National Park hike. Maine (2009) has the shorebirds. Missouri (2009) has the Ozark Trail, and numerous nests.

The work in Peru was fun. It was nice to have the same tasks to do, not every day, but in a consistent pattern. Set up, band for 3 days, pick up and move, repeat. Visit town every two weeks. Enjoy the amenities of town just long enough, then venture away again.

I wrote many various images down during my flights home. I wrote in my journal nearly every day I was in the field, and would record some lasting images, or something that happened that day that I would remember. I wrote down EVERY question of the night (something for a later post). But for now, from where I am right now, when I think back on this trip to Peru (these are in no particular order):

-drinks during daylight hours at Nicoro bar. Having beers on the Amazon river was nice, but the setting of the bar itself was what made it. I especially enjoyed the couple of times that Lil and I, and Maru and I, were able to enjoy some time there ourselves. I like field crews, but sometimes just one on one is nice.

-for good or bad, a lasting memory I will have is the field trips in November, and how far from home I felt. My brother was diagnosed with cancer right before the first November trip. That is the first time I have ever felt a strong urge to go home. But I am glad I stayed.

-getting bird number 1.300. Not only for the bird number, but for the other 5 new birds I got with it. I am always happiest when birding.

-River boat rides.

-Nightly dinners and questions of the night

-Walking in the forest at night by headlamp.

-the crew of course. and my boss.

Those were what come straight to mind. In another year, when I think back on it, I suspect other things may come to mind. They always do. It is funny how my mind works.

I'm sure I will post more about Peru in the future. I do expect to go back again, to visit areas I didn't have a chance to visit during this trip. For now, I can relax in the states for a little while, and get ready for the next group of field jobs.

Happy birding!