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The Pantanal a frenetic frenzy of fabulous wildlife spotting


Towlersonsafari

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Atravelynn

I am so sorry about your arm. I'm sure you'll be letting us know how your managed as the trip goes on.   Also how fires and drought continue to impact the trip.

 

Your title, frenetic frenzy of fabulous wildlife spotting exactly captured my sentiments the first day in the Pantanal at the same place you stayed, Pousso Alegre.  I actually went looking for my own description of that "frenetic frenzy" that I still can feel from 15 years ago.  I am sure you can relate.

 

I can remember being almost annoyed at the amount of stimuli, thinking, “The aracaries are going to have to wait. I don’t care if there are three of them I have my hands full with this pair of peccaries at the moment.” 

 

I knew it was time to apply sun cream to my exposed skin.  But I was having trouble finding any down time when binocs or camera were not needed.  Eventually, I just made a mad dash of squirting and slathering the SPF 45.  Unfortunately I was not quick enough and missed out on a photo op of a rufescent tiger heron with a fish in its mouth.  “Can’t I just have a moment of peace to put on some sun cream, for crying out loud?” was my thought.

 

You've managed to get some excellent shots between the two of you, injury and all.  Tyra and Tapir, way to go!  Looking forward to the rest.

Edited by Atravelynn
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Towlersonsafari

Thank you so much @TonyQ, @janzin @michael-ibk @AfricIanand @Atravelynn! Going somewhere completely new made every sighting exciting and trying to identify them added to the fun! I look forward to seeing your sightings @AfricIan.You are right about the sunsets. As for the arm,seeing a consultant in a couple of weeks to see what needs to be done.I found that I could use the camera in a more traditional manner as long as the wildlife co-operated by not moving too quickly!

We went on a walk whilst at Pousso Alegre and saw a Rufous -tailed Jacamar

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Towlersonsafari

The next day we left early for Jaguar land! We could have easily stayed 3 nights especially if the food was improved.We had not gone long when we saw what was surely an omen!

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Jaguar tracks

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Towlersonsafari

Our move to Porto Jofre coincided with a cold snap-Jane was very smug as she had packed our rain coats which were needed to keep the wind at bay whilst on the boats that morning and the next day. The toilet facilities at Porto Jofre were marginally better than the other public facilities but Brazil was our first taste ( not literally) of toilet paper not going down the pan!

We transferred in 2 boats, that got stuck several times.At one point most passengers got out onto the bank to lighten the load. We were pleasantly surprised at how comfy the boats were, although taking photo's from the boat was challenging at times.

We did not have long to wait though for our first special

sighting 

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One otter jumped out the water, covered him/herself in sand and dived into the family puddle of otters

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Towlersonsafari

The food at Port of the Capybara lodge was very good, with veggie options, and lots of fruit and cake for breakfast.The staff who could not speak English were very helpful.With a bit more TLC this could be a great place to stay.I have never slept on a harder mattress, the shower's bare wires were interesting, and our room very noisy.

Our boat driver was Maneul, and he was very good indeed.Going out that afternoon all wrapped up-although it was still about 18 degrees-we still saw plenty of wildlife some of which stayed still long enough to photograph!We had our first good sightings of the splendid Capybara- what wonderful creatures indeed!

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and babies!

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Towlersonsafari

We also had our best Boat Billed Heron sighting

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And a Rufous Tiger Heron actually did stay long enough for me

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Good to see someone else appreciate Capybara. The babies are very cute!

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kilopascal

Beautiful Boat-Billed heron photo. This report is making me berm excited about getting back there. 

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Lovely photo of the puddle of otters. Really enjoying seeing the wildlife of the Pantanal through your lens, brings back some great memories.

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Towlersonsafari

thanks @TonyQwe loved the way the capybara sat their aloof and with their Romanesque noses in the air! and thanks @kilopascal hope you have a great time and thanks @Treepol

The next day the cold front persisted and much to Tom and Manuels visible upset we saw no Jaguars.This was apparently the first time they had been out on the water with no sightings. In fact according to the radio traffic the longest sighting anyone had was 10 seconds!

We did see more GRO's! Tom know of several territories.(I do not know if they have permanent dens)

 

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Towlersonsafari

And a line up of Proposcid Bats

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and several green iguana's

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Towlersonsafari

I liked this Caiman with its lower front teeth growing through its jaw

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some Muscovy Ducks and some more GRO's

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Towlersonsafari

The next day was a lot warmer-and much to our joy and Tom's relief-a Jaguar apparently called ginger!

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Towlersonsafari

this was the busiest sighting with perhaps 20+ boats but it seemed very calm and Manuel was brilliant at slowly drifting into position.We were with this wonderful cat for over 50 minutes.-and then another-Estelle a younger female

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Towlersonsafari

She found a wine bottle to play with-I hope left by fishermen and not Jaguar tourists but as delightful as the sighting was, it was a bit sobering

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Towlersonsafari

sorry 2 more

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48 minutes ago, Towlersonsafari said:

some Muscovy Ducks and some more GRO's

 

Nice report, brings back memories of my own Pantanal visits, but I think your Muscovy's have flown away :lol:. It does happen that photos, you think you've posted end up going AWOL. 

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Great report, I'm 11 months out from returning it gives me the itch to get back. I especially like the baby giant river otter, we didn't see one of those and it's quite cute! 

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Towlersonsafari

well spotted    @inyathiand thanks to you and @Zubbie15the baby otter was very cute with enormous feet.Here are those ducks

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Towlersonsafari

The jaguar eventually swap off and went into the undergrowth-another very good sighting

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But that afternoon, another Jaguar-Woody I think

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we watched her for about 10 minutes

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Towlersonsafari

And then it was time for more GRO's!

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And at the same time, our first Anhinga demonstrating why its called the snakebird

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Towlersonsafari

We went down a small channel to see the otters and had a very nice view of a wattled Jacana

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Towlersonsafari

The sightings kept coming-I was very pleased to see a Black Skimmer

 

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Still it was time for another Jaguar!

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Thanks for showing your very nice and diverse crop of pictures of animals I have yet to see. I have been thinking of making the Pantanal a safari destination. And usually, thinking leads to planning…

I just love the baby Capaberras and the baby river otter. How cute are they? Even your Jaguar girls look like they are still youngish. 

Really enjoying your trip report!

KaliCA
 

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Miss Biscuit

The baby capybara are adorable. That's a great family shot!

I saw some on the river bank as we sped by but didn't get a photo.

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