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FishNet Explore 97 - Diary - July 30, 1997
Diary - July 30, 1997
Today we took a "day" trip to do some collection about 60
kilometers out of Eirunipe in a blackwater tributary of the
Jurua river system. We went by large boat to the mouth of a
small stream and then Paola, Heiko and a guide went up in a
dugout to collect. While there they collected what Heiko
thinks is a new species of Corydoras catfish and a new
species of Apistogramma as well. They collected a total of
50-60 species of fishes, many of which they brought back in
the special breathing bags supplied by AquaScience
Research Group.
Also, during the time in the collection area, they discovered
a small pod of baby freshwater dolphins who were trapped in
the pool due to it being the dry season. They will be fine
there until the rainy season comes again. Heiko told me that
they seemed friendly and even seemed to communicate with
him.
While I waited for Heiko and Paola to return, I suffered
through hundreds of mosquito bites and my first rain storm in
the Amazon. It was very heavy rain. I held out a cup to
catch some water and got about three inches in a very short
time. I drank the water and the taste was very good. There
was lots of lightning which made a very impressive display.
On the trip back to the hotel (a $10 per night hotel with
electricity during the day only - they turn it off at 9:00 PM!),
we saw more of the freshwater dolphins, which was very
exciting. We were on the river until it was quite dark, and
during that time I saw hundreds of "fireflies" that were much
larger than the ones I normally see at home. I could still see
them very well from what should have been about 200 yards
or more. Also, I found it amazing to look into the sky of the
Amazon at night. With no lights from the city around, there
seemed to be millions and millions of stars in the sky. It was
very beautiful and awe inspiring.
Tomorrow we begin a new adventure, but thankfully not at
4:00 AM!
== John ==