Our last full day in Bolivia would be going to Lake Titicaca, so early on August 24th, we met Michael Maldonado, our Lake Titicaca guide. The most direct route takes us through El Alto, on the Altiplano highlands. El Alto is today one of Bolivia’s fastest-growing urban centers, with a population of over 1,000,000. Driving through the city, construction is everywhere.
Michael Maldonado On His Phone.
Common to the architecture, the first floor is designed for commercial use.
Most of the buildings in El Alto did not exist a decade ago, so they are not only new but reflect a modern Bolivian style.
Capybaras Near The Beni River, Madidi National Park
The capybara is a mammal that resembles a giant long-legged guinea pig.
It lives in groups near water, which is why we were able to see them
going down rivers in Madidi National Park. The capybara is the largest living rodent.
They are a favorite food of the jaguar, which may explain why some of our group
were able to see a jaguar that had just eaten a capybara near the river shore.
Camp Site On The Tuichi River, Madidi National Park: Last Night — Images by kenne
End of The Journey
In life, some journeys are long before the destination is reached. Some may even take a lifetime with breaks along the way when we hit rocky ground, but the end of the journey is always profound.
Madidi National Park itself contains 11% of the world’s bird species and has been recognized as one of the most diverse places on earth. Most macaw pairs breed once a year, and the female lays her eggs in a nest inside a tree hollow or in a dirt hollow on a cliff face.
Pedro leading the way to the Macaw nesting site.
The macaw nesting site is near the junction of the Beni and Tuichi Rivers. From the riverbank, a short trail leads to a viewing platform. Here one can watch these impressive Red-and-green and Chestnut-fronted macaws fly, call and interact from the platform.
The Macaw Cliff Nesting Site — Chick Here To See More Macaw Images by kenne
Termite Nests (Nasutitermes corniger) Madidi National Park, Bolivia — Images by kenne
The nests of N. corniger are dark brown on the surface and have small bumps over their exterior. When small (less than 20 cm in diameter) they tend to be spherical but as they grow they become more elliptical. There may also be localized lobes on the surface of the nest. The queen lives in a chamber located in the centre of the nest, (often near the tree trunk or branch to which the nest is attached), that is up to 8 cm wide and 1 cm high and heavily reinforced. The thickness of the walls in the nest decreases away from the queen and towards the exterior although if the nest is attacked by predators then the walls will be reinforced. In one study of their nests the heaviest nest identified weighed 28 kilograms and measured 68 cm by 46 cm by 34 cm. — Wikipedia
Great Black Hawk (Madidi National Park) — Image by kenne
Rafting on the Tuichi River in the Madidi National Park is not the best way to
photograph birds high in the jungle trees, but sometimes I was able to capture one.
When I first saw this guy at a distance, I thought he was a vulture. However,
zooming in it was clear the bird was a hawk, a great black hawk.
While on our Madidi National Park adventure, I took approximately 1000 photos, most of which will only be seen by blog followers and those who visit my Flickr account. Of those photos, I have uploaded 20 butterfly and moth images, which you can see by clicking here. I was not on a butterfly expedition, having very little knowledge of butterflies, especially in the Amazon. However, I love photographing and sharing butterfly images.
I tried unsuccessful to identify this bird I photographed in the trees near the Tuichi River in the Madidi National Park.
A very attractive bird about the size of a crow.
Rough and red — the River, Sometimes bleak and alone, Not even another lone raft. Long pole in hand touching bottom Following the current over rocks Steering clear of big boulders Followed by silent moments — Spirits enlighten of itself.
Some of the recent posting are a little out of order.
This posting follows “Preparing To Raft Down The Tuichi River In Madidi National Park.” Balsa wood rafting was one of the things for which we had been waiting.
Here I’m in front of Matt who is paddling while I’m taking photos.
I also had a paddle, but stayed busy taking the trip photos.
Pedro is also paddling, but more important, he is steering.
Behind us is Ty with Pedro’s uncle.
Ty is working hard to overtake us . . .
. . . and does.
The scenery was amazing, or should I say “Amazoning.”
The supply boat with Tom and Maria passing us to go ahead
and select a camp site and start setting up the tents.
Ty and Pedro’s uncle near some rapids.
The river is a little higher because of the recent overnight rains,
reducing some of the rapids.
I usually had to wipe my camera lens after each rapids.
This is where we would spend our first night on the river.
Tom and I shared one of the tents.
Uncle also set up a lean-to tent.
Tom at the dinner table
Maria did the cooking with her husband’s help.
Ty and Tom talking about their first day on the Tuichi River.
Ty and Matt are getting ready to set around a fire being prepared.
— Images by kenne
Unloading the SUV before saying goodbye to our driver. He would return to Rurrenabaque.
Pedro begins securing the raft chairs.
The Tacana use strips of bamboo bark to tie down the chairs.
Pedro acknowledges their success.
His helper has a large wad of Cocoa leaves in his mouth, not tobacco.
This is a common practice.
I have placed my backpack with cameras and lenses on one of the rafts
as we wait the arrival of our supply boat as the sun gets lower in the west.
The supply boat finally arrives with camping supplies and additional helpers.
In addition to our guide, Pedro, there will be four helpers for the four of us — talk about caring for us.
We prepare to leave on the balsa rafts.
Tom and the supply boat will depart after our luggage is loaded,
passing us along the way so to begin setting up camp for the night.
Our last full day in Bolivia would be going to Lake Titicaca,
Michael Maldonado On His Phone.
Common to the architecture, the first floor is designed for commercial use.
Most of the buildings in El Alto did not exist a decade ago, 
Images by kenne (Click Here To See More Photos.)
Traveling down the Beni River with a few jungle stops before returning to Rurrenabaque.
The bridge at Rurrenabaque, Bolivia — Images by kenne
Capybaras Near The Beni River, Madidi National Park 
Images by kenne
Camp Site On The Tuichi River, Madidi National Park: Last Night — Images by kenne
Macaw Nesting Site — Images by kenne
Pedro leading the way to the Macaw nesting site.
The Macaw Cliff Nesting Site — 
Termite Nests (Nasutitermes corniger) Madidi National Park, Bolivia — Images by kenne
Great Black Hawk (Madidi National Park) — Image by kenne
Eyespot Butterfly — Image by kenne
A Madidi Black Bird — Image by kenne
River of Memories — Photo-Artistry by kenne
With the fog lifting, you can feel the jungle moving away.
Now it’s Matt’s turn to take over the lead as Ty enjoys the competition.
It’s all fun and games
as Pedro’s uncle steers clear through the rough areas.
I keep the camera above my shoulders to capture a picture through the rapids.
Here comes the sun!
What a fantastic morning for riding the river waters.
Matt paddles 
as Pedro’s uncle steers.
A flock of parakeets are singing in the trees
as three macaws make their own loud, screeching and squawking noise flying by.
A morning where the spirits of Madidi are all around.
Shadows abound as the sun tries mightily to open up the sky.
The Berraco del Madidi boat is readied for another day
Breakfast before before paddling the rafts down the river.
Pedro already has the raft with Ty and me away from the bank
These are moments in life where the self is truly in touch with nature as you listen close
Moment to moment the shadows on the river surface get darker as the rising sun 
blurs in a swirling fog.
If your heart is like mine
you are here with me.
There’s not wind to help the sun in the morning battle,
Balsa wood rafting was one of the things for which we had been waiting.
Pedro is also paddling, but more important, he is steering.
Ty is working hard to overtake us . . .
. . . and does.
The scenery was amazing, or should I say “Amazoning.”
The supply boat with Tom and Maria passing us to go ahead
Ty and Pedro’s uncle near some rapids.
I usually had to wipe my camera lens after each rapids.
This is where we would spend our first night on the river.
Tom and I shared one of the tents.
Uncle also set up a lean-to tent.
Tom at the dinner table
Maria did the cooking with her husband’s help.
Ty and Tom talking about their first day on the Tuichi River.
Ty and Matt are getting ready to set around a fire being prepared.
One of the two balsa wood rafts arrives.
Unloading the SUV before saying goodbye to our driver. He would return to Rurrenabaque.
Pedro begins securing the raft chairs.
The Tacana use strips of bamboo bark to tie down the chairs.
Pedro acknowledges their success.
I have placed my backpack with cameras and lenses on one of the rafts
The supply boat finally arrives with camping supplies and additional helpers.
We prepare to leave on the balsa rafts.
Registering (Tom, Matt and Ty) at Mayadela Amazonia Hotel Boutique in Rarrenabaque. 
Mayadela Amazonia Hotel Boutique on the Beni River.
Beni River East Bank
A recently completed bridge links Rurrenabaque with San Buenaventura on the west bank of the Beni River.
A demonstration in downtown Rurrenabaque.
Downtown Rurrenabaque.
Mayadela Amazonia Hotel Boutique, Rurrenabaque, Bolivia.
