Guatemala...Yaxha!

Yaxha (pronounced Yasha) is one of the most important archaeological sites in Central America. Dating back to AD 250-600, it was the third largest city in the region after Tikal and Mirador and even earlier evidence exists dating the settlement of the area back to 1000 BC! The ruins that we know today were discovered in 1904 and major work to stabilise the remains began as late as the 1980's. We were visiting at dawn to view the sunrise and film some of the animals found there.

Collard Aracari - love the geometric pattern on the bill.

Collard Aracari

This was a very confiding individual.

The maroon rump is one of the first things you see as they
fly away from you.

Pyramid temple at Yaxha

Beautiful in the morning light

It's a steep hike to the top of the largest pyramid with all the equipment and the 20 kilo lens rucksack is weighing very heavily on my shoulders. I'm glad to get to the top and admire the view and the sounds of the jungle.

Side of a pyramid covered in trees and vegetation

6 am at the top of the largest pyramid

An hour later, the view from the top

Mike filming Howlers

Early morning through the jungle

Howler, male

After getting the required footage we head back to the lodge for a much needed breakfast before filming around the grounds.

Mike and I head off to follow a group of Howler monkeys for further footage. I'm tracking them with bins when I notice something run past me just a few feet away. It's a beautiful Grey Fox!  It suddenly notices me, stops and looks right at the camera before scooting off into the undergrowth. I saw it again in the open a few minutes later, they are very attracting little mammals.

Grey Fox, El Sombrero Eco-lodge

...and again a few minutes after the close encounter

White-collard Seedeater, female

As Mike and I have walkie talkies, we split up. Mike follows the Howler troupe and I head down to the shoreline to see if the croc has hauled himself out onto the bank to bask yet. Sadly there's no sign of the croc but an eye-catching Great Kiskadee  has settled close to the jetty on a rock and gives excellent close views.

Great Kiskadee

Great Kiskadee

After 5 minutes it departed to the shade of some trees

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine chilling in one of the
old Mayan ruins.

Later in the day we went back to Yaxha to climb the pyramids at sunset. This was an awe inspiring experience and we had 25 Lesser Nighthawks catching insects around us, amazing!

A pyramid at Yaxha with me for scale

Nigel receiving some gifts from the
Guatemalan Tourism Authority (INGUAT)

Sunset, as towering thunder clouds roll in across Yaxha

Another great day and we hadn't finished yet. Although we had permission to film at Yaxha, the drone wasn't allowed to take off on site, so I launched it from El Sombrero Lodge 3 km away early the following morning instead. The clip below was from that flight - it was very surreal to be watching and filming the pyramids from 3 km away, great fun!

You can also check out Indigo Expedition's latest newsletter here.