The Wonders of the Amazon

Forty-four adventurers trekked through rainforests and jungles during this year’s NAVC Amazon Expedition. This 8-day venture included interpretive rainforest walks, visits to the canopy, explorations through local villages, and an escape to hot springs located high in the Andes. Some of the 44 submitted photographs of their experiences, with each image capturing a remarkable and unique moment.

See more pictures from the Amazon Expedition

Whether that moment entailed breathtaking landscapes or heart-stopping exchanges with local wildlife, the photographs created a comprehensive portrait of the Amazon. Needless to say, our judges had a challenging task in choosing a first-place winner.

We would like to thank our contestants for sharing these Amazonian moments, and we look forward to seeing more photographs from future expeditions!

Read Dr. Doug Mader's "Updates from the Amazon Blogforest"

Our 1st Place Winner
Congratulations to Sue Stepusin, MA, for her winning entry of the Amazon canopy at dusk. Sue captured this image while participating in the expedition’s canopy walk:

“It was late afternoon and part of a rainbow appeared on one side of the walk while on the other the volcano was barely discernible. As the sun set, the volcano became more prominent against the colors of the sky and the canopy.”

Thanks, Sue, for sharing this truly inspiring moment.

First Runner-Up
Describing it as “pristine, smooth as glass, and utterly peaceful,” mother-and-daughter duo Bianca Zaffarano, DVM, and Alexandra Koszewski provided this photograph of the Pilchicocha Lake near the Sacha Jungle Lodge. Alexandra captured the serenity while venturing to the lodge via canoes.

The lake, its rich black color a result of tannins absorbing the water’s light, also provided a cool place to swim after daily hikes through the jungle. Alexandra and Bianca courageously shared this lake with piranha, caimans, and electric eels, “none of which bothered us.” They were hardly concerned about swimming and canoeing with local wildlife; in fact, “it was fabulous!”

1st Honorable Mention
On his way to bird-watch from an observatory built high in a kapok tree, John R. Stepusin, DVM, experienced a close encounter with a feathered jungle-dweller. While other birds awaited discovery from the tower above, this heron was peacefully found below at the canoe landing, fishing for breakfast. Comfortable with his audience, the heron continued searching for sustenance as John and accompanying adventurers paused to observe.

2nd Honorable Mention
Michael Herman, DVM, was hiking through the jungle and exploring its flora and fauna when the native guide located this lizard amidst the jungle floor. Michael estimates that the lizard was about 10 inches long and appeared rather docile. “He was clinging tightly to the branch but was a very cooperative [photographic] subject,” Michael explained.

3rd Honorable Mention
This photograph was captured by Joe Chiosi, DVM, and Margaret Chiosi, MA, at the Sacha Jungle Lodge. The two were in a high observatory tower
enjoying the many birds landing around them when they saw this pair of particularly playful many-banded aracari. “I just thought they were cute,” Margaret confessed.

Ready for the Next Adventure?
More once-in-a-lifetime experiences are available now! Registration is currently available for Alaska: Inside Passage and The Florida Keys—The 1st NAVC “Hands-on” Expedition.  For more details, go to NAVC.com/expeditions.

See more pictures below

1. Photo submitted by Gregory Lewbart 

2. Photo submitted by Tom Luebke

3. Photo submitted by Joe Chiosi