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A break from running; time to find our parrot
We have been unusually quiet over the last week. The reason is we took time out to learn more about the charity, Armonia, we are jointly running for. If a picture speaks a thousand words, please enjoy a 29,000 word essay below, click the arrow on the gallery to begin playback.
It has been an incredible few days, deep in the Beni Wetlands, a place only possible to arrive in by little plane (yes, you read correctly, ug). Alone in the area which will become the blue-throated macaw reserve, we spent hours on horseback, on foot, by boat on the extensive wetlands transfixed by extraordinary species. When it became dark we put on headlamps and kept discovering, as the golden eyes of the caiman and nightjars reflected the light. We found our parrot, in small but gregarious flocks at times, but also came face-to-face with the real problems that are threatening the reserve’s success. Around us fires burned to clear the land for cows, and greedy cattle encroached on the land, slowly destroying the remaining forest islands. Armonia have the vision, the land, the people, but just need a little cash injection to help finish the job here of fencing and firebreaks. This could become a rare good news story as a species (and all those others that depend on this rare piece of wetland savanna e.g giant anteater,jaguar etc) is saved!
How to become a Wildlife Detective
As you skip through the woods, fields or moorland or perhaps view the world from atop of a gnarly oak tree, do you ever wonder….
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Where do animals hide during the day….?
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Do animals follow paths, even motorways….?
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What do they eat…..?
Why not become a WILDLIFE DETECTIVE and start sniffing, watching & feeling for Wild Signs, to find out who has passed by….?
???Look for hair stuck on (more…)
Dave and Kaths Phlog: On the brink of 4,000 miles running, we have a wild encounter to remember
Nine months running in numbers
Seems hard to believe we have been running for 9 months. Three-quarters of a year ! Whilst progress has felt painfully slow at times, and sometimes just plain hard, now when we look around we see palms and parrots, chaotic Latino markets and lorries plying along dusty roads precariously laden with bananas and tropical fruits . . . a far cry from the icy South where this adventure was born. And we’ve finally had time to update the running statistics page (thanks Patty for pointing this out!), sorry for the previously outdated info!
Click for Updated Running Statistics
At times it is all just a blur (which is why we keep records!!) and other times the reality of the place couldn’t be more acute. We live and run in the very heart of (more…)
The Independent Blog: Roast Armadillo- A Recipe for Extinction?
Salta Province, northern Argentina. Two children stand by the side of the road. A silver car with blackened windows drives passed. The girls wave something at it. The car continues, but suddenly grinds to a halt and reverses. Three portly men in white trousers and shades, step out of the car to inspect what they’re holding. One turns his back to urinate. The other two examine the coveted possession.
It’s a mammal, an armadillo. Specifically, the little, southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacusis). The men are laughing and shouting, “Flaco, tan flaco”, “Thin, too thin”. Smiling and shaking their heads in mirth…. Click here to read more..
Three-banded Armadillo and its captor
Dave and Kaths Phlog, running into the Amazon Basin!
“Have you seen an Anaconda or any other snakes?”
Question from six year old Tommy of Dulverton Somerset, UK.
Thank you for asking Tommy! You´ve asked a very popular question. Lots of people are interested in snakes and the species (types) we are seeing. So here goes……..!
The Answer: NO & YES+ VIDEO BELOW!!!
YES: Now that we are in the Tropics and running through the enormous Amazon Basin we see a snake almost everyday. Unfortunately, 90% of the time they are squished on the road by the passing traffic.
Snakes are fascinating and we both love (more…)
Soymaratonista Blog 4: The Rains Have Come
Location: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Total Days Run: 263. Total Miles Run 3,626 miles.
The rains have come. This is something we have been worrying about since we started planning the expedition nearly two years ago! Weather has never stopped us running before: we’ve run through howling wind, snow, blistering heat and torrential rain. BUT, this will be different: MUD! At the moment, we’re running on tarmac. This continues until Trinidad, but after that the orange Amazona dirt roads will carry us….
Click here to read more in English and also in Spanish
You can also find the first three blogs for SoyMaratonista here.….
Raffle-Auction in Aid of Armonía & Birdlife International
Buy Your Tickets NOW! for a Chance to Win one of these original acylic paintings by Katharine!
Both the rainforest frog and keel-billed toucan have been professionally mounted.
Closing Date 30 June 2013. E-tickets equivalent of £5.
The person who buys the most tickets WINS and can choose which painting they would like.
The person whose e-ticket is drawn first WINS the other painting.
Anyone from any country can buy a ticket.
OPTION 1. CLICK HERE to BUY a TICKET via JUST GIVING (especially UK donors if you qualify for Gift Aid!)
OPTION 2. CLICK on donate icon to BUY a TICKET via PAYPAL
If for any reason you cannot use the above contact us here
We will (more…)
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