I was awakened about 4:30 by Howler Monkeys calling each other through the trees. We assembled for breakfast at 7:00. It consisted of eggs and oatmeal. The oatmeal looked rather poisonous but I ate it anyhow. That was a mistake. We got on the bus and drove to a sawmill deep in the forest. By the time we got there, I was feeling the effects of breakfast. I grabbed some toilet paper and walked down the road to a big rock and cut loose. I didn't feel too bad and rejoined the group. We drove a few kilometers to where logging was taking place. A guy with a large chainsaw quickly felled two large trees and the skidder hauled them off.

Logging within the concession is selective. Each tree of interest is mapped and then eventually cut with care to minimize damage to other trees of commercial interest in order to create a sustainable forest for future logging. It is really quite impressive.

Next, Marielos took us out to some of the experimental plots where growth and regeneration studies are underway beneath canopy gaps left by logged trees. The growth rate of the trees is phenomenal. Some of them grow at 4 m per year. We took several pleasant, short walks through different plots with Ricardo leading the way. He knows the numerous access trails like the back of his hand. One of the areas was replanted with Mahogany several years ago. Sprouts up to 2m high were fairly abundant. I am constantly impressed with the good science thatis being applied to this concession.

We ate lunch at an abandoned camp by the road and then toured several other sites to learn about the ongoing experiments in each. Numerous beautiful butterflies fluttered around us. At about 4:30, we returned to our campsite and everyone “showered” before dinner. Dinner was once again a simple affair. Trusting my instincts, this time, I did not eat the salad.

At about 9:00, two wildlife biology students form Australia National University presented aspects of their doctoral research. Adam, an Australian is studying the effects of logging on bird populations. His wife, Annika from Gotborg , Sweden , is studying the monkey populations. Both were interesting, exciting people. They had had many tropical diseases during their years in the forest. Annika had Leishmaniasis or“white leprosy.” For some reason none of these seemed to dampen their enthusiasm for their research, Mike, Marydale, and I talked at length with Adam afterward.

After Adam, Annika, and their entourage left, most of us sat around the campfire until about midnight. Once again I crawled into my sleeping bag and was soon asleep.