The area we went to is privately owned land, but it's protected under an umbrella of agencies. One of them is the "Alianza Jaguar" a group that exists for the protection of the jaguar in Mexico.
It's hard to believe that there are wild jaguars living in this tropical forest only 30 kms (18 miles) from Puerto Vallarta!
We tried to get out early, but it was still about 9:00am when we headed out. Oh...I almost forgot to show you the sunrise yesterday morning...
Sunrise.
This is the back of the RV park. There's only one other rig here, and it's an older single guy who lives here full time.
heading towards the Sierra de Vallejo mountains.
The entrance to the trail.
The sign on the left says that it is prohibited to cut or damage any trees and it is punishable to the fullest extent of the law. The sign on the right says essentially the same thing, including flora and fauna and birdlife. At the bottom of the sign on the right lists all of the groups involved with protection of the area.
Notice the photo of the jaguar on the sign. Apparently there were literally hundreds of them here back in the 40's and 50's but most were killed off by ranchers trying to protect their cattle. Still, some remain, and there are regular sightings.
Ruth, heading into the jungle.
This pretty flower was hanging from a big tree. It looked like it was part of the tree, yet it was the only flower that looked like this. Others on the same tree had already seeded.
We came across this huge beehive. It was at the top of a big tree, probably 35 meters (100 feet) up in the air. How much honey is in there...?
The trail follows the riverbed a good part of the way. Not much water at this time of year, but during the rainy season it really is a river!
Must be something dead around here for there to be this many vultures in the tree above us.
We made it back around 11:30am, so about two and a half hours. We think we walked somewhere between eight and ten kms (5 or 6 miles). Saw lots of interesting stuff, but no jaguars!
I read my book much of the afternoon. Got into a good Dick Francis novel, and wanted to see how it ended!
Ringo loves coming over to see if we've got a snack for him. he likes the core of the pineapple that Ruth is feeding him!
Ruth got a nice shot of an oriole of some kind in the tree beside us.
I'm glad you didn't see a jaguar but I'm sad you didn't get a picture of one with a good zoom lens from far away. I have read every Dick Francis book I could find.
ReplyDeleteWe would have loved to have seen one from a distance as well.
DeleteWe have read quite a few of his books but not many when you consider how many he has written.
great pics as usual. had totally forgotten about dick francis used to read his books all the time. actually nice to have dogs with you as they will let you know if there is something there that you should be made aware.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely having the dogs with us and they are both really good and we have no doubt that if something were to happen they would be there to protect us.
DeleteWere those vultures watching you, hoping to see if the hike was too much for you? ;c)
ReplyDeleteIf they are then they will have a very long wait!
DeleteThe orange/yellow bird might be a Hooded Oriole, (Bolsero Encapuchado in Spanish). Sorry, I am not a real birdwatcher.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible but I think it is a streaked-backed oriole. They are both similar but the streaked-backed oriole doesn't have the full black back. I'm not a real birdwatcher either, so as I said it could be either of the two.
DeleteAm also reading a Dick Francis book - Field of 13 - These are short stories that have been in newspapers and magazines.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book to read!
DeleteBeautiful oriole!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris!
DeleteOld Dick Francis fan. No thanks Jaguar. We have mountain lions at our summer cabin. Sightings with night cam.
ReplyDeleteI would expect that the jaguars are like the mountain lions, rarely seen by the human eye.
DeleteI love the idea of Jaguars. I hope the local people will give them room to live. It makes me sad to think how many have been lost. You manage to find the neatest places. You are like PR for Mexico. Lovely sunrise, nice RV park, great hike. And even time to read. Sounds like a super day to me.
ReplyDeleteI think that the jaguar is a protected animal as there aren't as many left now here in Mexico.
DeleteMexico is in our heart so it's not hard to find so many good things about it!
I've read every book Dick Frances wrote, now his son Felix is writing the same type books. Haven't read one yet but have high hope's for his writing.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of the one flower and the oriole shot!
Should have remembered this publishes as unknown!
DeleteKaren
When we were in South Africa, we both had read a book that was written by Felix and Dick before his death. Can't remember the name of it now though!
DeleteFor the last few years I have written down the title of the books I read under "author". The list comes in handy!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should start doing that on the computer for both books and movies. We seem to have a hard time remembering if we have read the book before or have seen a movie before.
DeleteYou might want to check out goodreads.com. You can log (and review if so inclined) the books you read there and read reviews and recommendations from others. I love the site, and it's indeed helpful if you have a tendency (like I do) to think "Have I already read this book?"
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