Above: the large tree is a Brazil nut tree: castanha do Para.
Above: huge tree over 60 m high with enormous buttresses. Samaoma.
Above: this hut now used to store illegal logs that have been confiscated. Weren't many in there - not sure if this indicates few illegal loggers or poor capture rate.
From the tower we drove a further 15 mins into the forest to a place that had been cultivated for rubber tapping - Seringuera trees - many years ago, now disused. Above is Seringuera with cuts for tapping the latex still visible in trunk.
Above: Fortunately not a windy day but tower did sway a bit so we tended to keep a grip on something. ({hotos out of sequence - see above).
Observation tower about 40 m high.
Danger! Falling Brazil nuts!
Below: our guide, Zee. Above: wooden walk way leading to observation tower. Zee naming various types of tree (mostly with indigenous names): Jatobah, Itauba (wood used to build ships), Jarana, Angelim, Oochee (?sp), Samaoma (60 m high), also castanhas (nuts), obviously including castanha do Para (Brazil nut tree).
0845 Sat morning set off from Santarem driving south with Samuel (eldest son of Samuel I am staying with in Fortaleza), Gabriel (Samuel's son) and Adson (friend of Samuel). Drove about 45 mins to Tapajos National Park (Santarem is located where the Tapajos River joins the River Amazon). Samuel had previously arranged the necessary authorization to visit the Park and a guide (called Zee) was waiting for us at the entrance to the Park. Entered Park and drove for about 20 mins along dirt track which led to an observation tower constructed by NASA.
Observation tower about 40 m high.
Danger! Falling Brazil nuts!
Below: our guide, Zee. Above: wooden walk way leading to observation tower. Zee naming various types of tree (mostly with indigenous names): Jatobah, Itauba (wood used to build ships), Jarana, Angelim, Oochee (?sp), Samaoma (60 m high), also castanhas (nuts), obviously including castanha do Para (Brazil nut tree).
0845 Sat morning set off from Santarem driving south with Samuel (eldest son of Samuel I am staying with in Fortaleza), Gabriel (Samuel's son) and Adson (friend of Samuel). Drove about 45 mins to Tapajos National Park (Santarem is located where the Tapajos River joins the River Amazon). Samuel had previously arranged the necessary authorization to visit the Park and a guide (called Zee) was waiting for us at the entrance to the Park. Entered Park and drove for about 20 mins along dirt track which led to an observation tower constructed by NASA.
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