The alarm went off at 0330am but luckily we awoke just before, showered and went to lounge for a quick drink before setting off into the park to search for pumas. We were joined by another guide,Chris, a young Australian but born in Bedford whose father emigrated as a £10 Pom!
We stopped at a lake just outside the park to take pictures of the mountains reflected in it. It was really cool but there was no wind so we made our way into the park. John and I were tasked to take sunrise photos, not as good as previous days, while the team scoured the landscape and listened for guanaco alarm calls. Nothing found we dropped down to a lake and got out to see the single flamingo and waterfowl when we heard guanaco call, Pia said we should go and see what caused it. As we climbed up the hill and got to the top we saw not one but 3 puma ( a mum and 2 older cubs) they trotted away from us into a thicket.
We got out of the bus and walked towards the thicket - we could see them inside - as we waited quietly the mum emerged and walked up the hillside turning to call to the cubs who slowly and more tentatively followed on behind. We probably spent 20- 30 minutes watching them. All the team including Guidot, our driver, were involved and excited by this rare and special siting - you know it's special when the guides are excited and taking photographs!
As we were leaving an army of photographers in camouflage gear appeared - and like a military operation removed their gear preparing to follow the puma - they looked very intimidating - not sure how the camouflage gear works against the Pumas keen sense of smell though! Pia felt uncomfortable by their approach, as did we, so we left. There were lots of high fives in the team - we had been very lucky to see not one but 3 puma - Jorge has worked there for 4 years and it was the first time he had seen three together so we knew it was special and felt very privileged to have witnessed these lovely animals ( today's photo).
If that wasn't enough we then saw not one but two armadillos, one ran beside the van but the second was scurrying across the hillside and gave us much better views.
After breakfast we headed to the waterfall and had a sedate meander looking at the orchids, little sparrows and photographing the landscapes. There was still no wind - an unusual pleasure at this time of year- Chris told us that sometimes as you go to the waterfall it's hard to stand up - he had taken golfer Greg Norman there and the wind had knocked him off his feet and he had to lie on top of him to stop him blowing away - and he was not a small man!
We headed back to a small lake to watch a pipit in the reeds, grebes ( all 3 species) spectacled and ruddy ducks swimming around.
It was now nearing noon so after our eight hour unforgettable wildlife extravaganza we headed back to the hotel.
I had a swim before lunch - we then spent the afternoon relaxing before meeting up with Pia and Jorge to revise our photographs and look at some of photos Pia had taken of us taking photos!
Sadly that was the end of a great 4 days - we learnt an amazing amount John went from complete beginner to someone who could talk about F stops, shutter speeds and light metres - a great advance.
After dinner we said our goodbyes as we were all off early and Jorge was back taking his turn leading the daily lodge activities - tomorrow he was walking in the morning and doing the horse back ride in the afternoon.