The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures since the Pre-Columbian era.

Llamas are social animals and live with others as a herd. Their wool is soft and contains only a small amount of lanolin.Llamas can learn simple tasks after a few repetitions. When using a pack, they can carry about 25 to 30% of their body weight for 8 to 13 km (5–8 miles). The name llama (in the past also spelled "lama" or "glama") was adopted by European settlers from native Peruvians.

The ancestors of llamas are thought to have originated from the Great Plains of North America about 40 million years ago, and subsequently migrated to South America about three million years ago during the Great American Interchange. By the end of the last ice age (10,000–12,000 years ago), camelids were extinct in North America. As of 2007, there were over seven million llamas and alpacas in South America and over 158,000 llamas and 100,000 alpacas, descended from progenitors imported late in the 20th century, in the United States and Canada.

In Aymara mythology, llamas are important beings. The Heavenly Llama is said to drink water from the ocean and urinates as it rains.[6] According to Aymara eschatology, llamas will return to the water springs and lagoons where they come from at the end of time.

This one was with its herd in Machu Picchu. Lovely animals. Wishing everyone a Peaceful Thursday!

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The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Spanish: Valle Sagrado de los Incas; Quechua: Willka Qhichwa), or the Urubamba Valley, is a valley in the Andes of Peru, north of the Inca capital of Cusco. It is located in the present-day Peruvian region of Cusco. In colonial documents it was referred to as the "Valley of Yucay." The Sacred Valley was incorporated slowly into the incipient Inca Empire during the period from 1000 to 1400 CE.

The Sacred Valley is a major tourist destination. In 2013, 1.2 million people, 800,000 of them non-Peruvians, are estimated to have visited Machu Picchu, its most famous archaeological site. Many of the same tourists also visited other archaeological sites and modern towns in the Sacred Valley.

Stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, this fertile valley is irrigated by the Urubamba River. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area starting at around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived in the Sacred Valley from 500 to 900 CE. The Killke civilization then lived in the Sacred Valley from 900 CE until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of the Spanish. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Valley

For a Peaceful Travel Tuesday!

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This Peruvian endemic is a large hummingbird with a long, forked tail. Males have colorful green and purple gorgets; the crown coloration of males varies by subspecies. Bearded Mountaineers inhabit dry montane scrub, bush-filled and lightly wooded areas, rocky outcrops, and gorges. They are rather cautious and are usually subordinate to other hummingbirds. Bearded Mountaineers either cling to or hover around flowers and continuously open and close their tails as they feed on nectar. Although Bearded Mountaineers are much sought after by birders, very little is known about the natural history of this attractive species. Very hard to photograph btw, but thanks to our guide Fisher Chavez, I was able to get a decent photo. I hope you appreciate it.

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Giant Hummingbird - Patagona gigas - 20–21 cm (8–8 1/4 in), bill 3.7–4.1 cm (1 1/2 in). Widespread and fairly common on west slope of Andes and in intermontane valleys, 2000–4300 m. Occupies open, relatively arid habitats: montane scrub, hedgerows, and open woods (including Polylepis). The largest hummingbird, and easily recognized by large size. Wingbeats noticeably slow; may be mistaken for Andean Swift (due to pale rump and wingbeat). Dull, with no gorget or brilliant colors but contrasting pale rump. Underparts variable, dull rufous or light rufous scaled with grayish brown. VOICE Call a squeaky, loud “heee.” Co, E, Bo, Ch.

It may not be sparkling and full of colors, but I got in love with this species! A truly giant hummingbird!

Have a peaceful Bokeh Wednesday!

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Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a 2,430-meter (7,970 ft) mountain ridge. Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is the most familiar icon of the Inca Empire. It is located in the Machupicchu District within Urubamba Province above the Sacred Valley, which is 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of Cusco.

Machu Picchu was believed (by Richard L. Burger, professor of anthropology at Yale University) to have been built in the 1450s. However, a 2021 study led by Burger used radiocarbon dating (specifically, AMS) to reveal that Machu Picchu may have been occupied from around 1420–1530 AD. Construction appears to date from two great Inca rulers, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (1438–1471) and Túpac Inca Yupanqui (1472–1493). There is a consensus among archaeologists that Pachacutec ordered the construction of the royal estate for his use as a retreat, most likely after a successful military campaign. Although Machu Picchu is considered to be a "royal" estate, it would not have been passed down in the line of succession. Rather it was used for 80 years before being abandoned, seemingly because of the Spanish conquests in other parts of the Inca Empire. It is possible that most of its inhabitants died from smallpox introduced by travelers before the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the area. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu

Better seen Large! Wishing everyone a Peaceful Tuesday Travel!

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