Our goal the morning of Friday, January 20, 2012, was to set foot on terra firma at a private reserve near the village of El Tucan for some birding on solid ground. The village is located about fifteen minutes above the town of Nauta on the Rio Marañon. To say this birding adventure was a disappointment would be an understatement. There were few birds (Plain-throated Antwren, Blue-crowned Manakin, and Broad-billed Motmot), and those that were around were difficult to see. Plus, swarms of millions of mosquitoes and steep and slippery trails made this one adventure we won't soon forget. Our native guide, Segundo (second son), was pointing out the spines girding a palm tree. Temperatures were in the upper-70's with overcast skies and high humidity.