Cobirds:
I saw an add for "Bill Kaempfer's Jungle Tours" in NE Colorado - it said ".....see exotic birds, snakes, lizards, and beautiful wild scenery....." . I decided to bite on this one, not wanting to miss a chance at seeing some interesting flora and fauna. Besides that it was cheap.
Somewhere, half way through the trip - while hacking through malarial ridden swamps of Prewitt, Jackson, and Jumbo Reservoirs - I started having 2nd thoughts. Temperatures were soaring and sweat was pouring as we cut and slashed with machetes and poles though thick jungle, watching for poisonous snakes. Herp expert John Vanderpool and I had to wrestle a gigantic snake (Pituophis melanoleus) in a parking lot, before it swallowed the SUV whole.
Later, plant expert, Gwen, told us of all the fascinating flowering jungle plants, as we tripped and stumbled over creepers and vines. While expert birder JoAnn helped us identify rare birds such as black bellied plover, stilt sandpiper, buff breasted sandpiper, red necked phalaropes, long billed curlew, marbled godwits, black necked stilts, and the elusive Bell's vireo (not to be confused with Bell's Theorem - whatever that heck that is). Exotic hummingbirds and plants were seen in the tropical jungle town of Julesburg CO, along with hundreds of doves, and several strange species like American redstarts and red-breasted nuthatches.
Cicadas of several species buzzed and droned day and night in the tropical forests and jungle towns. Insects of many varieties swarmed the street lights at night, and screams of a wild jungle cat (Felis catus) were heard at a river outpost.
Many animal track and scat signs were seen in the thick tropical forests - deer, coyote, raccoon, tree squirrel, mouse, lizards, and ground squirrels.
To sum up: Bill K's jungle tours are well worth the time and effort and I would encourage to go on them. Then write back to me and tell me how you liked it, while I stay at home with an ice pack on my head, nursing insect bites.
Just kidding. It was a great trip, and Bill and John did an excellent job.
John T (Tumasonis) Louisville CO
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