Field Notes: May 21, 2026 Location: Manu National Park, Madre de Dios, Peru ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Encounter Summary: The humidity of the Amazon basin clung to us as we navigated a dense trail in Manu National Park. My guide, Mateo, suddenly stopped the group and pointed toward a large, vibrant green fern bordering the path. Arranged perfectly along the central vein of the leaf were what looked like dry, spiky seed pods or small clusters of dead moss. They were completely motionless, blending flawlessly