Encampamento 2015 - Nature Hike Dia 3

February 16  Monday

It always seem really early when we get up in the morning, but usually we find the youth dressed, waiting for breakfast, and ready to find out what adventures they will have for the day.




Juliano Brito and Hélcio Terres
with Joáo in center and Theo in back
 

After breakfast, everyone met again in front of the lodge for directions for the morning activity.  There are two activities that will be running concurrently, two separate compass courses with guides Juliano and Hélcio and a nature hike with Joáo and Theo Vieira Larratéa, a biologist and camp staff member.  Probably no surprise that we chose to go with the nature hike group.  


We followed Theo down a road that ended at a grassy hill bordered by thick trees on each side.  He told us that a few years ago, a big swath of ground had been cleared for equipment to travel through setting up power lines.  The decision was made to keep the area clear of trees - in three years, if left alone, it would revert back to its original state.  Some brief instructions on what we were going to see and do.  We were entering a unique, protected area and should enjoy the beauty of the natural environment and treat it accordingly. Within a few short feet of the clearing we entered THE JUNGLE.




Theo, Biologist

Some highlights from Merl for the nature walk.  Theo speaks Portuguese, Hebrew and English. But he said he has to translate from Hebrew to English to speak English. When he found out I graduated in zoology and botany, he and I walked and talked together most of the hike.  It was fun remembering the scientific classifications of plants and identifying them in the wild. 

There are many different species of lichens that grow on everything down here.. but there is on more unique than others. It is bright red, particularly on the outer ring. It also has green and some white to it. It is called the Christmas lichen because of its color. Theo said it was an indication of a heavy oxygen concentration in the air and suggested we breathe deep and enjoy the abundance of oxygen.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptothecia_rubrocincta



Bruno with Xaxim Tree

Then there is the Xaxim (shasheen) fern tree. This is a very spongy tree from which they obtain the green blocks used for the stems of floral bouquets. It was a rather strange feeling pressing in on the bark and have it move - just like a sponge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicksonia_sellowiana

As we walked through another area, we were asked to sniff the aroma in the air. Yes, a definite aroma. It was the odor of a pheromone given off by a certain species of spider. Pheromones are used by animals to warn off enemies or to attract mates. It was amazing that there were enough spiders to aromatize the air like that. Then there is the Saracura bird which they say is the rain bird, because it warns of impending rain - which comes all the time anyway. And yes, there is moss hanging from all the trees and shrubs due to the humidity and warm temperatures.

Coendou prehensilis

As we walked the path, we stepped over the remains of a small animal (Brazilian porcupine).  In another area, we found skull and vertebrae remains showing further decomposition of another one.  After viewing this youtube video, we wished we could have seen a live one, but they are nocturnal and sleep during the day.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABJB9v3YoiI

Walking through the this area at night might not be safest as we also saw paw prints of a large cat, probably a puma/cougar.  They occasionally find a calf missing from the herd and assume the cat got it. 


Bromelia

The plant I am holding is a bromelia, very common down here. It is a 'saprophyte' as are all the other plants that grow on the trunks and branches of the trees down here. These plants derive their nourishment from the trees they grow on. You can see another Bromelia in the croch of the tree branch just above me.






Ceiba paineira rosa

Wellington and Joao

The tree that João and Wellington is looking at is another tree with needle-like spines growing from the trunk. They are very hard and sharp; used by early native people for sewing. 

Another fascinating tree we checked out is Ceiba paineira rosa.  The plants we are seeing are as varied as anyone can imagine; some of them are very dangerous.  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceiba

Blackberries

On the friendlier side, we found a few patches of wild blackberries - only a couple had turned a dark blue - and we ate them.   Due to the lack of time, our hike was diverted a bit as there was not time to go to the lake.  When João saw my disappointment, he invited us to come back for a private hike to the lake.  We certainly hope to be able to do that!


 
We eventually came to another clearing with a view of the lake and the valley below.  Everyone sat down to rest a bit; then off to the big tree and overlook we had been looking for to take a group photo.  Breath-taking!

It was then time to head back for lunch by the lake and to find out what laid in store for us for the afternoon.
As much a I have sometimes complained about all the walking up and down hills in Canela, I am glad we have built up our muscles and endurance.  It really helped today!

The time and space allotted to this blog does not begin to cover what we saw and enjoyed.  The whole experience this morning demonstrated João's  high sense of reverence for this land and his responsibility to share and protect it - for his children and others who come to visit.  It was wonderful to learn from him and Theo.