The jungle is alive with all the sounds of nature at work and play. Small red birds chirp in the trees above our heads, and in the branches of a giant cypress tree, I see little brown monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Forty feet up the river, I see two Sarus Cranes stabbing at the water, catching fish and frogs. Across the river are clumps of banana trees, dozens of magnificent birds, and unimaginable beauty.
As I stretch out under the shade of foliage, I hear branches slapping together across the river. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. I focus on the area and spot movement in a large chestnut tree just behind the banana plants. SNIPER! My heart leaps, and my pulse rate increases. I can hardly see him, but if he can see us, he can probably count the hairs in our noses with his scope. As I work to get a better view, I finally focus on the most giant monkey I have ever seen. He has a huge comical nose and wags his tail like a happy puppy. Thankfully, not a sniper.