Brazil 2018 - From Pantanal to Iguazu

[Botswanadreams]

"Join me in Brazil 2018" - an entry in Safaritalk from Jo (kittykat23uk) brought us without our own normal planning as part of a small group with the benefit of cost sharing from mid-September to mid-October 2018 to Brazil.

 

As most of you know my native language is German. So my homepage is in German too. But for Brazil it's mostly a journey in pictures and not much struggle with the crazy Google English.  

For all who can't wait of the full English report with excellent Photos by Jo and Jane I like to add a few of my pics here and the more you can see on our homepage.  

 

 

Jaguar on the hunt 

Edited November 16, 2018 by Botswanadreams

[Botswanadreams]

Fazenda Baía das Pedras

 

We flew from Campo Grande to Baía das Pedras.

 

 

 

Parts of South Pantanal from the air

 

Our first extraordinary highlight of this trip was a Giant Armadillo just after we arrived.   

 

 

 

 

The team from  "The Giant Armadillo Project - Brazil" had captured a giant armadillo the night before our arrival.

 

"Hotel Armadillo" a BBC documentary by David Attenborough is highly recommended if you have the possibility to watch. We got afterwards the privilege from the team to see it.  

(Thu 29 Nov 2018 15:45 BBC TWO)

Edited November 16, 2018 by Botswanadreams

[Botswanadreams]

A bit more from Baía das Pedras

 

Pink trumpet tree (handroanthus impetiginosus) in bloom

 

Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

 

Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) - A nest with young birds 

 

Six-banded Armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)

 

Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare)

 

Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya)

 

Beautiful landscape

 

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

 

Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) - the second star at Baía das Pedras  

 

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

 

 

This all and much more you can find in part one on our homepage. 

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/

 

You are very welcome to take a look.

 

[Alexander33]

@Botswanadreams

 

Great stuff. The giant armadillo experience must have been fascinating. 

 

We are having a Brazil extravaganza these days on Safaritalk!

[Botswanadreams]

Thanks very much @Alexander33. I have to tell you than I didn't had an idea that this creature exist before we went to Brazil. Yes it was amazing. 

[Botswanadreams]

Fazenda Barranco Alto

 

The detailed report by Jo and Jane started. 

http://safaritalk.net/topic/19127-going-big-in-brazil-2018-a-big-trip-in-search-of-some-of-brazil’s-biggest-beasts/

 

A few impressions from me tho Barranco Alto

 

 

Six-banded Armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) - you can't miss them at Barranco Alto

 

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

 

Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris)

 

Gray Brocket Deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

 

River Forest Rio Negro

 

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

 

Rio Negro with Capybaras

 

Plumbeous Ibis (Theristicus caerulescens)

 

Roosting place of Ibises

 

Vampire Bat

 

Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)

 

Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata)

 

 Neotropical River Otter (Lontra longicaudis)

 

 

This all is in Part II.

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/brasilien-2018-teil-2/

 

[Botswanadreams]

 

A Giant Anteater looking for foot at Barranco Alto 

[Botswanadreams]

Time to move on a bit here. Our last destination in the South Pantanal was Fazenda San Francisco. This place is completely different from the two others. They cater mostly for day visitors.  On the other hand very much from the nature landscape are gone because of rise fields but there is still wildlife around. 

 

Blue and Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) at a feeding place

 

Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata)

 

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)

 

Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus), the only one we saw on the trip 

 

Rio  Salobra used for the fishing tours

 

The main reason why we stayed at San Francisco was the Ocelot. It's one place to get the chance to see this cat and we did during night drive and two times a very short gimp in daylight. 

The Instituto Pró-carnívoros lunched in 2002 at Fazenda San Francisco the Jaguatiricas project. One morning we went out with the vets from the project. In average they captured only four animals per month. We were lucky on this day. 

 

 

 

 

[Botswanadreams]

The North Pantanal

 

Six nights we spent in the North Pantanal. The firth and the last night at Pouso Alegre Lodge. Than we moved on to Porto Jofre. 

 

Pampas Deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

 

Argentine Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae), after a short gimp at Barranco Alto, at Pouso Alegre they moved through the lodge like pats. 

 

 

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), a nesting place over years on the Transpantaneira  

 

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

 

One of the few places with birds on the Transpantaneira. Most of the 140 kilometers are thick bush both sides. Very disappointing for me because i didn't expect it from pics and documentaries I saw. 

 

A open place on the Transpantaneira

 

Access nearing Lodge at Pouso Alegre with beautiful flowering tree. 

 

Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela) busy to bild up nests

 

 

A pic every tourist have to take in North Pantanal - my husband at the official Gate

 

At Pouso Alegre we had a incredible encounter with a Giant Anteater very close to the Lodge.  

 

"A great story was on e was the first night just before dinner. Julinho, our Guide,  came to us as a giant anteater was directly behind the restaurant of the lodge. Lets go! There was such a splendid specimen, took no notice of our presence and ran a few steps back and forth, sniffing probably for a tasty snack. But there was nothing. Meanwhile, were all guests of the Lodge around him, but he remained unfazed. He came closer and closer to me. I held out my hand carefully against, but I was warned from the owner "Do not touch him". Of course, I pulled my hand back. This anteater ignored it completely. He came closer and the next moment he nudged me briefly with his long snout on my arm. Incredible! Later explained Julinho that this anteater often comes to the lodge. His mother died when he was a baby  in a fire killed. The owners of Pouso Alegre had helped the young animal to survive. Now he grows up, lives in the wilderness, but he or she remembers probably still liked his foster parents. An unforgettable experience.

 

 

This both parts (Fazenda San Francisco and Pouso Alegre with the Transpantaneira) with much more pics you can find in part III if you like.

 

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/brasilien-2018-teil-3/

 

Edited November 23, 2018 by Botswanadreams

[Alexander33]

@Botswanadreams

 

Would you believe that we skipped the photo of us under the “Transpantaneira” sign?  I thought about it, but it was the same day as our arrival in Brazil, and we were so tired that we just kept moving on. Maybe it means we have to go back someday and make up for it!

 

I’m trying to finish up the Northern Pantanal section of my trip report this weekend, and then I will move on to Barranco Alto. Even though we missed each other by a few weeks there, it will be fun to compare notes in @kittykat23uk‘s report. From your website, I already think you all had a sighting there that I am very envious of. 

[Botswanadreams]

@Alexander33 My pic at the gate was taken on the way back. As we went through the first time I ignored it too. It's very interesting to see others report nearly at the same time and same places. 

A sighting at Barranco Alto you are very envious of? Are you talking about this beautiful cats on the night drive? I'm sure. I didn't mention it here because I wasn't able to get any pic - too fare in the darkness for my little camera. 

[Botswanadreams]

Porto Jofre or it's all about Jaguars

 

Our first Jaguar in the afternoon on day one 

 

The two young brothers

 

Giant Otters 

 

Meeting point for a incredible Jaguar sighting 

 

 

Two pics out of two hours watching Jaguar mating 

 

Yacare Caiman

 

 

More Jaguars

 

Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

 

Paraguay Caiman Lizard (Dracaena paraguayensis)

 

 

 

Jaguar trying to hunt but without success because of all the boats pushing potential prey away

 

 

Capybaras with a jung once

 

One of the small channels

 

Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

 

Our leaving present from Julinho - a Jaguar only for us

 

 

If this few Jaguars not enough for you after all the Jaguar pics from @Alexander33 than have a look at

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/brasilien-2018-teil-4/

 

In three and a half day we saw 15 individuals (3 on the first half day, each 3 on the second and third full day, incredible 6 on our last day). Sometimes it was only a glimpse but we also had the time to watch them over two hours at 40° in the shadow but mostly no shadow on the river.

 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2018 by Botswanadreams

[SafariChick]

11 hours ago, Botswanadreams said:

Later explained Julinho that this anteater often comes to the lodge. His mother died when he was a baby  in a fire killed. The owners of Pouso Alegre had helped the young animal to survive.

@Botswanadreams my understanding of the story was that the mother had been burned in the fire when she was younger, before she had a baby and the lodge helped nurse her back to health. Then she would come and visit from time to time. Later when she had a baby, she brought the baby to visit the lodge at times also. The anteater we saw was the baby grown up.  It was quite an amazing experience, and I was also lucky to get a cold nose touching my arm!

[Botswanadreams]

@SafariChick Jane I'm not sure about this. Maybe Jo can help. 

[kittykat23uk]

My understanding is as Jane has said.

[xelas]

For such a sighting, one can endure sitting in the boat, on the crowded part of the river, for 2 hours easily!

Edited November 24, 2018 by xelas

[kittykat23uk]

52 minutes ago, xelas said:

For such a sighting, one can endure sitting in the boat, on the crowded part of the river, for 2 hours easily!

 

Some people can!

[Botswanadreams]

 

A few moments live from this lovely Jaguar couple. Sorry for the quality. 

[xelas]

15 minutes ago, kittykat23uk said:

 

Some people can!

 

I know I would !

[Botswanadreams]

 

This is my last from Pantanal - a Giant Otter family 

[Alexander33]

17 hours ago, Botswanadreams said:

@Alexander33

A sighting at Barranco Alto you are very envious of? Are you talking about this beautiful cats on the night drive? I'm sure. I didn't mention it here because I wasn't able to get any pic - too fare in the darkness for my little camera. 

 

Yes, that might be the one I'm talking about.....

 

16 hours ago, Botswanadreams said:

 If this few Jaguars not enough for you after all the Jaguar pics from @Alexander33 than have a look at

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/brasilien-2018-teil-4/

 

 

Is there any such thing as "enough" jaguars?  Not as far as I'm concerned.

 

Lovely photos all around.  What a nice compilation to remember the Pantanal by.

[Botswanadreams]

Thanks very much @Alexander33.

 

Santuário do Caraça

 

Lets move on with a few pics from our next destination.

 

The entire complex with the Cathedral and the former Collage, today the hotel and a museum

 

View from the garden

 

The beautiful landscape

 

Morning mist

 

Feeding place for the birds

 

Gilt-edged Tanager (Tangara cyanoventris)

 

Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea)

 

 

A half day visit in Santa Barbara

 

The main church of Santa Barbara, dedicated to St. Anthony, dates from 1724

 

Casa do Mirante, the house with the view from 18th century

 

Capela de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Negros,  dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary for Africans

 

 

The main attraction in Caraça are the maned wolves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2018 by Botswanadreams

[Botswanadreams]

Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra

 

Spring of Rio São Francisco - after 2,914 kilometers the water will reach the Atlantic Ocean

 

No idea about the ID. Maybe someone can help.

 

Beautiful landscape remained me at Guassa Plateau in Ethiopia

 

 

A lot of different flowers after the first rain

 

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

 

White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru)

 

Casca d'Anta Waterfall - it's only the first part of this Fall

 

Landscape Serra da Canastra - on top of this mountain is the National Park

 

The waterfall  Casca d'Anta again but now the view of the main part

 

 

Both parts Caraça and Canastra are in Part 5 with more pics and our personal view.

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/brasilien-2018-teil-5/

 

 

It's time for a big thanks to Jo and Jane for all the input in planing this trip. 

The last part of our trip, Iguazu Falls, we went alone. 

[Alexander33]

Serra da Canastra looks like a very interesting park. I’m not familiar with it, but I’m glad to know more about it now. Thanks for sharing your photos. 

[Botswanadreams]

Iguazu Falls

 

A trip to Brazil without visiting the world-famous Iguazu Falls was not possible for us. So we extended the trip for another 3 nights.

 

Parque das Aves is the bird park on the Brazil site of the falls. 16 hectares Atlantic rain forest with more than 1,400 birds from 150 species can be seen. 

A few of them as example:

 

Black-fronted Piping-Guan (Pipile jacutinga)

 

Red-breasted Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus)

 

Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)

 

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)

 

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

 

 

On the next two days we visited both sites of the falls - Brazil and Argentina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last Brazil wildlife in the garden of our hotel in Foz do Iguaçu. 

 

 

Plush-crested Jay (Cyanocorax chrysops)

 

 

 

Yellow or Duseni's Tegu (Salvator duseni) 

 

 

And as last my own departing gift - a helicopter flight over the falls

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.botswanadreams.de/reisen-weltweit/brasilien-2018/brasilien-2018-teil-6/ with Iguazu and much more pics. 

 

Thanks all for coming along through Brazil with our eyes. Thanks for the "likes" too. 

Next time we can met in Africa again if you like. 

 

*** END ***

Edited December 1, 2018 by Botswanadreams