South America Day 34
Explore the Pantanal
Horse Riding
After breakfast most of the gang went horse riding around the
local area. Me & horses aren't on good terms (nor have we been for
decades) so I opted out. Kerri has a similar mistrust for these animals
and also opted out. Nora & Vincent also didn't go. They set off
& left us to our own devices. Apparently they didn't see much
wildlife (more than likely because of the horses & noisy people
scaring them off). I don't regret sitting out at all.
Wildlife spotting.
While to tribe were off horse riding, we the remaining four, went for a
wander. It was already hot and muggy but we took it nice & easy.
It was a worthwhile exercise as we saw so many animals and birds that the riders did not. Pictured above & below are coatis. Their closest relative is the raccoon and are just as good at scavenging. They cruise around in troops of about 10. The one above was with about six others from his troop but he was the only one I got a chance to photograph. They're so funny scuttling around with their long stripy tails in the air.
Coatis come in different
variants. The one below was probably from the same troop as the other
one but was more orange instead of black and white.It was a worthwhile exercise as we saw so many animals and birds that the riders did not. Pictured above & below are coatis. Their closest relative is the raccoon and are just as good at scavenging. They cruise around in troops of about 10. The one above was with about six others from his troop but he was the only one I got a chance to photograph. They're so funny scuttling around with their long stripy tails in the air.
Marsh Deer
The biggest animal we saw was this marsh deer. It was similar to a
couple of the deer species in North America. They were just as skittish
as their northern cousins.
Just after we saw the deer some sort of wasp or hornet came out of nowhere and stung Kerri on the finger. We were a long way from the lodge and it would take us at least half an hour to get back. Within minutes her whole finger had swollen up to twice normal size (needless to say it was quite painful). She was very brave about it particularly because it is her birthday today.
Just after we saw the deer some sort of wasp or hornet came out of nowhere and stung Kerri on the finger. We were a long way from the lodge and it would take us at least half an hour to get back. Within minutes her whole finger had swollen up to twice normal size (needless to say it was quite painful). She was very brave about it particularly because it is her birthday today.
Kingfisher
This kingfisher wasn't as skittish as the deer. I watched it darting
from his perch to a small pond picking of choice snacks which seemed to
be insects more than anything else.
These odd birds look like turkeys to some extent. The one above is called
a Blue-throated Piping-guan. The one below is a Black Fronted Piping
Guan (or locally known as a Chuchalaca). They make the most bazaar
screech/cackle. I can't even describe it because it was so foreign to
me.
Raptors
The Jungle has no shortage of raptors. The bird above is a black collared hawk. It's one of four species of hawk we saw today.
Roadside Hawk
Black Collared Hawk
Afternoon Safari
We spent a lot of time during the day in hammocks under a pergola. It
was too hot and muggy to do anything else. Besides, most of the animals
were in hiding as well.
Later in the afternoon we got back on the safari truck and headed out into the surrounding area. It was what we were supposed to do the afternoon before but the four hour train delay put a stop to it. We were forced to take this trip earlier in the day than we should have. Unfortunately it meant that many of the animals were still hiding in the shade. We did see a few, but we had done better during our morning walk. This marsh deer and her fawn hung around to have their photos taken, but not for long. We saw a few birds but nothing like first thing in the morning.
Later in the afternoon we got back on the safari truck and headed out into the surrounding area. It was what we were supposed to do the afternoon before but the four hour train delay put a stop to it. We were forced to take this trip earlier in the day than we should have. Unfortunately it meant that many of the animals were still hiding in the shade. We did see a few, but we had done better during our morning walk. This marsh deer and her fawn hung around to have their photos taken, but not for long. We saw a few birds but nothing like first thing in the morning.
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
Southern Lapling (one of the Plover family).
These
are odd little creatures. Armadillos eat ants but have a seemingly over
the top defence against predators. I guess with an abundance of
predators like jabiru storks, hawks and jaguars, it pays to take out
insurance. This little guy scarpered as soon as he saw our truck.
We left the truck for a little while to head into a stand of trees to
look for monkeys. We didn't see any monkeys, but we did see evidence of
the big cat. Jaguars are not exactly rare in the Pantanal, but like all
cats are secretive nocturnal creatures. These ones in particular are
cats that you really would like to see, but not really because unless
you have some sort of protection, it will probably be the last thing you
do. Of all the big cats, Jaguars being primate hunters, are more likely
to hunt and kill you than any of the other big cats (& that includes
lions).
Swamp Fishing
South America had done a job on me again that afternoon and, (not to
be too graphic) I had to stay close to the "facilities". Kerri went with
most of the group to a nearby swamp and went fishing. Above, our
local guide is up to his waist in a similar pond to the one we'd walked
around the day before.
Here's what they were fishing for. Piranhas!
So apparently it's quite safe to stand up to your waist in Cayman and Piranha infested water, throw bait in to catch one of the piscatorial owners of the pond. Sounds a bit crazy to me, but I guess taylor fishermen on the east and west coasts of Australia stand in a similar depth of water throwing burly into the water with sharks circling them.
So apparently it's quite safe to stand up to your waist in Cayman and Piranha infested water, throw bait in to catch one of the piscatorial owners of the pond. Sounds a bit crazy to me, but I guess taylor fishermen on the east and west coasts of Australia stand in a similar depth of water throwing burly into the water with sharks circling them.
Apparently the fishing trip was successful. Dinner was in the bag (or on
the stick). The problem now is that Kerri wants to come along on the
next fishing trip I go on.
Hyacinth Macaws
There were a few Hyacinth Macaws (pictured) that roosted near the lodge at night. They're noisy critters particularly when there's more than one (and there normally is).
Lizards
The Birthday Girl
Nocturnal Visitors
