IE Blog
Walking Palms of the Amazon
The walking palm – or stilt palm - is a very common palm tree found in the lowland forests of Central and Northern South America, including the Peruvian Amazon. The tree gets its name from it tall, spiny root system that may be upwards of five feet in height, appearing like multiple legs. While the tree obviously cannot move, the walking palm may lean toward a light filtering through a gap in the canopy, as the crown of the 50–60 foot high tree seeks light.
This palm provides fruit that is eaten by a number of animals and the palm trunk is used by local people in the construction of their huts. The palm tree is cut down and the trunk is split. The split trunk is used for floors and walls in the thatched roof huts of the riberenos living along the river. As Amazon cruise guests walk along forest trails, IE’s naturalist guides will point out various flora, including the walking palm. The tree typically draws attention as it is very unlike any other palm tree in the region. Close inspection reveals the spines on the exposed roots and it would not be wise to fall into one nor lean on it as the spine punctures on human skin frequently result in infection.
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
- emily's blog
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Photo of the Day: Madagascar's Verreaux's Sifaka
On the isolated island of Madagascar, 51% of all bird species, 96% of the reptiles and of course, all 86 varieties of lemurs (species and subspecies) are endemic. This Verreaux's sifaka was spotted in the Berenty Reserve during International Expeditions' 2012 Madagascar tour. The reserve is a wildlife hotspot which protects 250 hectares of spiny forest and dry tamarind gallery woodland along with six species of lemur and a large colony of Madagascar fruit bats.
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Photo of the Day: Cuba's Soroa Orchid Garden
Participants on IE's people-to-people Cuba experience travel to this orchid garden in Soroa. Through our interaction with the garden’s keepers, guests not only learn about endemic species, but more importantly, the relationship between Cubans and land. The most interesting story of course, involved the story of how Cuban women once used the national flower – mariposa – to relay secret messages. During the Cuban fight to overthrow the Spanish, Cuban women would wear the mariposa in their hair. It was a sign of solidarity with their countrymen, but they were also able to hide messages on tiny strips of paper within the flower. They could freely walk the streets to deliver the message, and the Spanish never caught on!
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When is the best time to travel to the Galapagos Islands? (Part I)
At least once a day, International Expeditions’ travel planners field the question “When is the best time for a Galapagos cruise?” So, our favorite naturalist Greg Greer sat down to tackle this popular question.
The Galapagos Islands are one of the most magical destinations on Earth. As a naturalist with great experience in world travel, I am often asked which destination is my favorite and although it is extremely difficult to answer, a destination that certainly comes to mind are the Galapagos Islands. Not only because of the written history by such famous explorers as Charles Darwin and William Beebe but because the islands still have great allure as the wildlife, still today has little fear of people. This results in very close wildlife encounters and often it is a result of the animals approaching people.
So, when is the best time of year to travel to Galapagos? This is a very complex question as people may have varied interests and therefore, timing may be of significance. However, for the general traveler wanting to experience the islands, do a little snorkeling, observe wildlife up close…any time of year is ideal!
Timing is actually significant if a person wants to observe a certain wildlife event, although nothing is ever guaranteed as annual cycles are somewhat confused today. Much of the Galapagos are dependent upon nutrients provided by the sea, so currents play a key role in nesting and breeding success of birds, reptiles and marine mammals. El Niňo and La Niňa events occur much more frequently, thus nesting success for birds and pupping success for sea lions is dependent on the sea temperature so giving a suggested time for certain wildlife events is more difficult today than it was even 30 years ago.
In regards to climate, the Galapagos Islands are geographically situated on the Equator, thus temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. The islands are basically desert islands but there is a minimal wet season that occurs from January–June. During this time, much of the precipitation falls in the highlands providing lush vegetation with lots of green views. The temperatures are cooler in the highlands due to rainfall and elevation. The dry season occurs from July-December and during this time, the cold Humbolt Current flows into the archipelago so besides being dry, it is also a little cooler than it is during the wet season.
The events that make long range weather forecasting impossible are the El Niňo and La Niňa events. When El Niňo events occur, the extremely warm water conditions result in declines of many fish species that are vital to the success of marine birds and mammals. El Niňo events typically occur from December-May and many animals perish during El Niňo, including marine iguanas, sea lions and many seas birds, like boobies, frigates and the waved albatross. During these events, sea water temps may reach 90°F, and fish species just disappear.
There of course are always exceptions and during El Niňo events, land iguanas flourish with the exuberant lush lowland landscapes as heavy rains prevail in the lowlands.
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
7 Things to Consider When Buying a Carry-On
Our friend, the World Wide Will at MedjetAssist is an expert on all things travel related. This is the first in a series on making the best buying decision when purchasing luggage.
Whether you’re buying your luggage online or in a local store, there are many options to consider before making a purchase. In fact, there are so many individual considerations that making a buying decision can prove difficult. Do I want two wheels? Four wheels? None? Whatever your travel patterns and personal needs, there are specific criteria you should always consider when purchasing a carry-on bag. And don’t forget, you don’t always have to spend a lot to get a good bag, so long as it meets certain standards.
- If possible, you should test-roll the bag in person before buying it to make sure it’s comfortable for you. I’ve tried many different roll-aboards over the years, and these are the criteria and potential pitfalls I’ve discovered.
- For roll-aboard luggage I prefer soft-sided bags because they’re generally lighter, have more pockets to store things and usually expand a bit if necessary.
- Remember to get proper measurements. To be allowed on most commercial airlines, your carry-on must be no larger than 22 inches.
- Bags that expand are nice, but remember that once it’s expanded the bag may no longer fit through security or into the overhead compartment, then you will have to check it.
- Make sure the handle is the right length and comfortable for you to use. I’m tall, which means I have a long stride. If the handle is too short, the bag hits my heel which will make it tip over. I’ve also found that cushioned handles are more comfortable for your hand than hard the ones, particularly if you’re wheeling your bag long distances in airports.
- Extending and lowering the handle—not always so gently—puts a lot of stress at the point where it meets the body of the bag. Make sure that spot is reinforced and sturdy enough to withstand the frequent wear and tear.
- I prefer a bag that has a separate suit compartment. If I don’t need the space for clothing, I take out the folded separator and use it for shoes and other items to keep them separate from my clothes.
- Examine the wheels. They will be either flat or curved, like those on in-line skates. I prefer curved wheels because they’re generally quieter and roll more smoothly on sidewalks and airport floors.
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Costa Rica's Best Volcanoes
Many people frequently ask me: “Should I go to Belize or Costa Rica, and what is the difference”? Well, the two countries, though not separated by a tremendous number of miles, are as different as night and day. One of the major differences, are the presence of volcanoes in Costa Rica along the central spine of mountains running northwest to southeast from Nicaragua to Panama.
Throughout the highland areas are numerous volcanoes, some which have been dormant for eons while others are still quite active, providing an opportunity for visitors to observe volcanoes that still have smoldering cones, some of which can be viewed from their rims. Some of the more accessible volcanoes include: Arenal Volcano in the Tilaran Mountains and closer to San José are Poas Volcano and Irazu Volcano. There are, of course, many other volcanoes, especially in the Northern Guanacaste Cordillera but those require long and very difficult hikes.
One of the best volcanoes, with close proximity to San José is Poas Volcano. A very good paved road allows visitors the comfort of driving “almost” to the rim of the active volcano. On past trips, I have seen resplendent quetzals along the roadside and once near the top birder’s should watch for the endemic volcano hummingbird. In addition, as one gains elevation along the route, a very large leaf plant becomes very apparent, locally called “poor man’s umbrella.” The leaves are indeed large enough for a person to shelter under during a rain event. Once at the top, a very short walk takes you to the rim of the volcano. Depending upon the direction of the wind, visitors may immediately smell the aroma of sulfur. To many people the smell resembles rotting eggs but I don’t believe too many people have actually smelled rotting eggs so that description may or may not be too valid. Anyway, the aroma or stench of sulfur can be quite significant if the winds are blowing across the volcano towards the parking area. Once arriving at the rim, visitors look down into an almost moon like landscape. The gray color of lava and ash, the orange and reds of sulfur and iron and a steaming hole, not in the center of the volcano but offset and it has formed its own secondary mini cone. If the weather is good, the views of this volcano can be quite magnificent. There is also a trail that allows visitors to walk amongst vegetation that only grows in the acidic zones of active volcanoes and again if one is lucky, a volcano hummingbird may put in an appearance.
Further north is the famed Arenal Volcano. For decades, Arenal was quite active and has actually had major eruptions in the recent past. In fact during my employment with IE, Arenal blew out one side of its cone. This eruption required evacuation from many of the lodges built on the sides of the volcano. For the past year, Arenal has been dormant, but still of interest to many visitors is the lava field, which shows what lava can do to change a landscape in the matter of hours.
The third accessible volcano is Irazu. This volcano is quite famous — its last eruption occurred the day of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Costa Rica. Today, although the volcano is still active, there is much human activity around its base and even up the sides of the volcano. The fertile landscapes allow for agriculture as well as dairy farms. A paved road allows access and morning visits are advised as from the top of Irazu, both the Pacific and Caribbean can be seen...obviously in opposite directions. Irazu, due to its elevation, often gets shrouded in clouds by early afternoon, limiting the view to misty cloud cover. So, on your next Costa Rica tour with International Expeditions, visit one of the active volcanoes. There are not many places in the world where this type of observation is possible!
Amazon Monkey Tales: Titi Monkeys Have Strong Family Values
The Amazon rainforest is home to many different primate species, including titi monkeys. There are many varying subspecies of titis, including the white-eared titi, red-bellied titi, ornate titi and the recently discovered caqueta titi.
The varying species of titi monkeys may come in different sizes and have different coloring, but they all tend to have long, soft fur that is either reddish, brown or black. These small monkeys typically only grow to between nine and 18 inches in length, and their tails are typically longer than their bodies (10-22 inches).
Titis' tails may be longer than their bodies, but they lack the ability to grasp onto tree branches and bananas that some monkey tails are capable of.
Titis are, for the most part, fruit lovers, but they have been known to munch on the occasional insect or bird egg. They make their homes in the trees of dense forests near bodies of water, and spend their days jumping through the branches, stopping only for midday naps.
The newest member of this monkey family, the caqueta titi, also called the red-bearded or bushy-bearded titi, has facial characteristics unlike any other known titi subspecies. It is also classified as critically endangered, since so few are known to live in the jungles of South America. The bushy-bearded primate looks rather similar to the white-tailed and ornate titis, but does not have any white fur, which sets it apart from its nearest relatives.
Titi monkeys stand out in the animal kingdom for their devotion to their mates. Once these tiny primates choose their mates, they stick it out for the long haul. They are also strongly rooted in family values, as titis tend to stay in family groups of parents and offspring.
Male titis are responsible for raising the babies, and the females are only called upon for feeding time. After a few months, babies are weaned from their parents' protective care and allowed to remain with the family until it is time for them to find a mate and start a life of their own — at two to three years old.
Titis are extremely territorial, and if an unwanted guest ventures into their zone, they will raise a racket hooting and hollering to drive the imposing creature away.
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Harpy Eagle is the Amazon's Most Fearful Winged Predator
The harpy eagle is one of the most powerful predators in the Amazon and one of the largest eagle species in the world. This winged hunter preys on monkeys, sloths, reptiles, rodents and other birds, and the sight of a harpy eagle snatching a monkey from a tree branch with ease is one you won't soon forget if you're lucky enough to witness it on International Expeditions’ Amazon river cruises.
Harpy eagles make their homes in the the jungles of Central America and the Amazon, but due to deforestation, this predatory bird is classified as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. These massive birds are thought to live anywhere between 25 and 35 years. They stand more than three feet tall and have a wingspan of more than six feet from tip to tip. Their powerful talons are the key to successfully hunting large animals, as they are about five inches long. Sloths make up more than one third of the harpy eagle's diet
This bird is one of the most unique-looking animals in the Amazon, with dark gray wings, a white chest and light gray feathers around the face. Harpy eagles have double-crested heads, and when they are agitated or attempting to instill fear in other creatures a few large feathers that stick up and give them a silhouette not unlike ancient Aztec designs. Their faces are similar to those of owls — flattened with large eyes placed close together in the center of their faces. This likely assists the eagle's hearing and sight to help them better judge distance and spot prey.
When nature travel takes you to the Amazon, don't expect to see many of these magnificent creatures, as each nesting pair needs about 10 to 15 miles of hunting territory. Keep an eye on the tree branches for a chance to see these hunters waiting patiently for their dinner. These daytime hunters will perch on branches for long periods of time while they wait for the perfect opportunity to snatch up their prey. They have to be quick to grab their meals, and can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour when they dive bomb their dinner.
Caterpillars? It Is All In the Poop
Most people do not think too kindly of caterpillars — especially those with flower or vegetable gardens — and certainly farmers, who do all that they can to rid their crops of the little eating machines.
When one considers the diversity of butterflies and moths, it is quite overwhelming. There are researchers who spend their entire lives searching out new species, and others who spend their lives trying to come up with new chemical technologies to wipe out insects, including caterpillars, that are harmful to crops.
One thing is for certain, caterpillars play an amazingly important role in controlling the growth of their host plants and in turn they are food for a tremendous number of insects, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Some species are caterpillar dependent, including many of the neotropical migrant birds that time their arrival in North America with the emergence of caterpillars upon which they feed. We must also not forget that every gorgeous butterfly in the sky began its life as an egg that hatched into a caterpillar, and after a number of molts metamorphosed into the butterfly.
There is also one other majorly important role in which caterpillars provide and that is “FRASS.” Frass is a wonderful word and one that many people with extremely large vocabularies would have difficulty defining. Frass is caterpillar poop! Yes, caterpillar poop has its own special name and rightly so. It is vitally important to most ecosystems especially in tropical areas and many of the temperate regions as well. Basically, frass comes in many sizes, dependent upon the size of the caterpillar. Caterpillars are basically eating machines and they eat, poop, eat, poop, eat and poop. When you realize just how many caterpillars there are, just imagine how much frass is produced.
I have been under trees with good infestations of caterpillars where it almost appears to be raining, but the pitter patter on the leaf litter is not rain it is caterpillar frass. Frass actually is very important as it provides nutrients that will be readily available to the forests on the very next rain. I have often stopped and collected a handful of frass and asked children or adults that are with me: “Do you know what this is”? I have them pick up a piece and look at it closely. Often, larger frass looks similar to miniature ears of corn. The shape has to do with the intestine being able to absorb as many nutrients as they can from a very low nutrient food base. So, there is a large surface area on the frass which looks like corn on the cob. After looking at frass for a few minutes, I then tell the people what they are holding: Caterpillar Poop! They drop it immediately, but most people come away with a greater appreciation for caterpillars and their role as providing massive nutrient loads in the forest. They also learn that it is best not to hold things that Greg or other naturalists may place in their hands. By the way, checking out elephant dung is just as rewarding!
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
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See a Sea Snake in Costa Rica
When most people hear the words “sea snake,” they immediately think of highly venomous snakes that inhabit marine (salt water) environments, just part of the reason sea snakes are greatly feared by many people. Most people also believe that sea snakes are only found in the Indo-Australian regions and the South China Sea, but sea snakes are much more wide ranging than that. In fact, one sea snake, the yellow-bellied sea snake, ranges from Eastern Africa, throughout the Indian Ocean and thru the Indo-Australian region, across the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean and along the western coast of the Americas. Their range is one of the greatest ranges of any reptile species on Earth!
On Costa Rica tours with International Expeditions, I’ve seen this species numerous times and they are always a great joy to observe. The yellow-bellied sea snake is appropriately named — its belly is yellow and its back is black. These snakes are very laterally compressed, meaning very thin from side to side. The amount of yellow on the sides of the snake varies considerably between individuals, and many have beautiful undulations of zig-zag patterns where the yellow meets black. For aquatic animals, including some very familiar creatures like penguins, orcas, fishes of all kinds and sea snakes, the belly is light to provide camouflage from any creatures below them looking up. Likewise, the black or dark patterns on the back provide good camouflage from any predators above, especially when diving as most aquatic species have to dive to depths to acquire food. The yellow-bellied sea snake has a marvelous design and its tail is flattened and looks like a paddle. This species is basically an ambush predator that enjoys floating among debris (both natural and man-made trash) as this sort of flotsam attracts fish to shade of such objects. As a fish gets close to a motionless yellow-bellied sea snake, the snake quickly strikes. The venom is designed to immobilize prey very quickly, working on the nervous system of its victim.
At times, I have found yellow-bellies caught in the surf in areas like Manuel Antonio as well as in the Guanacaste area, both on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Once in the surf, they have difficulty getting back out beyond the breakers and at times find themselves washed up on shore. Here, they quickly perish as they cannot crawl on land and they overheat in the open sun of a hot beach. It is not advisable to pick up these creatures as their venom is quite virulent. I have worked with reptiles for over 40 years and I do pick them up and swim them out beyond the breakers to release. Many people feel that sea snakes have very short fangs and thus are not a danger to people. For this reason, I have selected one of my photos showing the size of the teeth on the yellow-bellied sea snake. They are quite large and can easily deliver a dangerous bite.
Naturalist Greg Greer is a favorite among IE travelers, and has gained a reputation for his friendliness and good humor, along with his incomparable knowledge of natural history, photos and articles have been widely published in books and magazines, including Georgia Outdoor News, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Alabama Outdoor News, Riversedge and Southern Wildlife.
