Wading through the Water

Today was fun and fruastrating. We decided that we would go Guachomayo instead of Lago to where Lago and Guachomayo meet. This is because we know that by Guachomayo we would only have to get wet twice instead of for sure swimming. Yes I mean swimming. There are parts of Lago that would be at least chest deep, if not deeper . With Guachomayo we knew at least two different areas would be flooded and should only be about knee height. Everyone knew it, we were going to get wet and so chose to not get super wet. When we came to first stretch of flooded section I offered to go first with my fabulous poking/walking stick. Everyone that had blanched at getting wet wanted to try to find a different way off trail. I told them it would not work, only be worse. They did not want to believe me so I let them do some exploring and slowly realized that going along the trail that we were very familiar with would be the best. So I went first. I really like going first because I can see all the little fishes swim away and the water is not cloudy. With a spider wand in one hand and in the other my poking stick I lead the way fearlessly. Z tried to be nice to M.J. by giving her a piggy back ride, but he ended up stepping off the bridge used to cross a stream normally. This meant Z and M.J. both got wet up to their armpits. I find this very ironic because they were the most vocal about finding a different way so they would not get wet. The rest of us only got wet to mid thigh. After that first flood zone we marched to where some of our plants were. This was a couple hundred meters which allowed us to dry out almost all the way. We then arrived at the next flooded zone, which we could tell was going to be longer than the 15 meters the other flood zone was. I again choose to go first. This flooded area only ever came a few inches above my knee. As we went a long we realized that a new tree fall was blocking the trail. We decided that it was not safe to try to go off the trail and around the fall in the water. This meant the clippers had to come out. On this tree fall we counted around 15 conga. So there we were, in water above my knees climbing into a tree fall full of conga making a path- only in the jungle. I was the one willing to go first. I also had the best poking stick and was the best suited to scamper over obstacles. It was a slow process to remove branches then toss them, conga included, away from the trail. Once over the main tree the way was clear. To make room for the others I started on the trail. Fortunately I was using my stick to poke/sweep in front of my feet, which is why I did not step on the stingray that was right in front of me. 

The stingray was about two inches larger than the big plates at home. The tail was at least ten inches. The colors were a light brown the exact color of the trail and dark brown blotches the color of most roots. I only saw it because it moved. It swam four feet farther down the trail before re-settling. I was able to get some pictures, but they are not good because of the reflection off the water. I did not think it would have been wise/safe  to try to do an underwater picture even though that would have been really cool. We were all concerned that it may sting us. Boots, no matter what kind, will not stop the stinger and we were a long way from camp. The water was also not to clear from us walking. The cloud of mud that we made from walking soon rolled over and hid the stingray from view. That really made us a bit concerned cause we couldn't see anything then. Z offered to go first using my stick and his but leaving me with no stick, which I didn't like, so I said no thanks I will continue to go first but carefully. We continued at a very slow pace. I saw more fish and no other animals. I was really hoping to see an anaconda or possibly a camin. Once through the flooded area we were able to dry out and start actually checking our plants. While we walked we did find some wild chocolate plant with the fruit ripe and ready to be picked. I also saw another of the stronger-than-morphine frogs. Around lunch time we found some actual liana that was perfect to swing on, well almost perfect. It was "almost" because the liana was only half coiled on another liana and had started to slide down after a number of swings. The liana allowed you to swing down the trail which went down a hill. I went first. I was amazing at it. It is just like the rope swings at Mt. Aire. The drop at the peak of the swing was  15 feet maybe a little higher. It made T nervous, and it made me nervous as well once I felt the liana slide a little on my third swing. T, Z and M all did it. When M went the liana did a bigger slide down than it had any other time, so she chose to let go before completing the return swing. She landed just fine. After that we decided our liana swing was no longer safe. We then had lunch and did a few more plants before we realized we had to go home. We decided to go the same way came even though under normal circumstances going Lago would be faster.  This time, however, Lago would not be faster because it would for sure be higher than the flooded areas we did go through if not impassable. So back we went. Surprisingly the water had cleared mostly by the time we went back through. I went last because I went first the first time. I really prefer going first.  What we can do in a little less than an hour and a half total on a normal, or even rainy day, took us four hours to do all of our walking. That is the majority of our field day spent walking. We did make it back in time to shower and do all of our chemistry samples before dinner, which was nice. After dinner it was decided that we would watch the Return of the King extend version. I love that movie.