“After two wonderful days at the Tambopata Research Center observing Scarlet Macaws, we travelled down the Tambopata River in the morning to spend a final day at Posadas Amazonas. The morning was calm, punctuated by stops at checkpoints with, along the way, a few pleasant encounters: a family of capybaras, a few butterflies flirting with each other… Upon our arrival, our guide busied himself with organising our afternoon. His main objective was to use the lodge’s observation tower, which rises to 37 metres. Mission swiftly accomplished. Our guide came back to tell us it was entirely possible and, as an added bonus, the tower was ours for the whole afternoon. He had taken care to reschedule the other candidates for the climb to the following morning… Without delay, Jeff, our photography guide, and I selected and prepared our equipment. I carried the tripod. For safety, Jeff took charge of the 600mm lens, the binoculars and the ponchos. As we climbed, the tower swayed gently, adding a little more excitement to reaching the platform.
Stay at the Tambopata Research Center, Peru © Dominique Bailliez
There are moments in life when communion is instant. That is what happened the moment we reached the top of the tower. Two Bat Falcons perched at the top of a tree about 10 metres away were waiting for us calmly, even eyeing us up! After a long moment of wonder tinged with calm, serenity, and also astonishment, we absolutely had to capture our dear little raptors. The tripod and camera were set up in a flash but without a sound. The shoot could begin, and our companions obliged graciously for a few short minutes, taking care to adopt a few different poses before leaving us majestically. We could then enjoy the sublime landscape before us between two rain showers, all the while watching and photographing the parade of birds spotted and identified by our guide.
To close out this exceptional afternoon, a pair of Scarlet Macaws flew over our tower as a farewell.
We thank Jeff for all these intense moments shared together amid this wildlife and flora that filled us with wonder.
These moments of communion we shared together when, at the end of our lens, this sublime and sometimes extravagant nature offered itself to us.”
A testimonial from Dominique & Christine B.
Tailor-made journey to Peru in February 2012, designed by Etendues Sauvages
Stay at the Tambopata Research Center, Peru © Dominique Bailliez
