Pantanal Photo Tour Trip Report for STrabo Tours by Tom Bol PhotoWorkshops

Wildlife in the Wetlands

The Pantanal in Brazil is the largest freshwater wetlands in the world. Our workshop for Strabo Tours was in July when everything is dry and the wildlife gathers around small pools and rivers. We saw 111 species of birds on the workshop and photographed countless exotic mammals. We all agreed that the highlight of the workshop was photographing the enormous jaguars that live in the Pantanal.

Hyacinth Macaws - the largest macaws in the world
Melissa joined the workshop for the big cats and was not dissappointed!
Parrots and parakeets thrive in the Pantanal

During the day, we cruised the banks of the Tres Irmaos and Cuiaba Rivers by boat looking for jaguars. We were lucky enough to photograph eight jaguars during our workshop in an area that is called "Jaguarland". When we found a jaguar hunting, we spent as much as 45 minutes at a time photographing the hunt as the cats walked and swam through riparian vegetation.

Jaguars stalking caiman
Rodger stalking jaguars
Swimming across the Cuiaba River

Two of the favorite foods for jaguars are Capybaras and Caiman. Capybaras are the world's largest rodent. They sit contently on the river's edge and watch the boats of photographers drive by. When jaguars approach they let out a warning call and escape by swimming away in the river.

Caiman are found everywhere along the river. They bask in the sun during the day and stalk birds and fish for food.

Caiman in the sun

We saw several new species of mammals at our second lodge including Oscelot, foxes, Tapir and Agouti. The Pantanal is known for some of the best wildlife sightings in South America.

Crab-eating Fox
Kathy was happy with the amount of wildlife sightings
A female ocelot from one of our 2 lodges

The bird life in Brazil was a delight. We encountered more kingfishers with closer access than anywhere else we have traveled. The river was covered with egrets, storks and herons. The forest had vibrant gems like this Rufous-tailed Jacamar.

Bare-faced Curracow
Amazon Kingfisher

The Jabiru Stork is the most iconic bird of the Pantanal. It's impressive height and wingspan made it easy to spot foraging in the water hyacinths. At the Pantanal Lodge, there was a nesting family of storks with babies to feed right next to a viewing platform

Jabiru Stork family at our lodge

With flocks of ibis, parrots and spoonbills flying over our boat there were plenty of opportunities to perfect our birds in flight technique. The wings of the Sun Bittern in flight was a real highlight!

Black-collared awk in flight
Lisa photographing a Black-collared Hawk
Ringed Kingfisher in flight

Thanks to all the photographers who traveled with us to Brazil. Thanks to Lucas Barros for being a fantastic guide. And finally, thanks to Strabo Photo Tours for setting us up for success!

Photo courtesy of Eric Lacey (not pictured)

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