I recently noticed (in the ads appearing in my web site; some are quite good) the web site of the Jaguar Research Center. I went in October 2007 to Brazil, in Pantanal, at the heart of the Jaguar Research Center. So, I wanted to give a small feedback about this experience.

This is certainly the location where it is easier to find jaguars, these large felines from South America. If you want to see these very discreet animals, you’d better contact the Jaguar Research Center or one of the travel agents that can send you there (like Objectif Nature, my preferred French travel agent for photo-nature trips).

I have to admit that the jaguar being very shy and despite the high concentration of these big cats in Pantanal, it is somewhat difficult to find them: In October 2007, our photo group did not see it once in three days (even if the trackers and a boat of the supporting organisation saw it nearly every day).

All in all, it’s not so desperate even for a photographer like me who was really willing to catch a few fur spots on the digital sensor of my camera. Along with the flagship feline of the South American continent, this zone is a marvellous water paradise, with the Cuiaba, wide Brazilian river, and many calm locations to observe birds and other animals.

So, I heartily recommend the Jaguar Research Center and I will probably return to JRC -with the hope of finally meeting some free jaguars. And their web site is very nice.

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Pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber, Flamant rose). Brazil, 2007.

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Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja, Spatule rosée). Brazil, 2007.

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Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris, Pluvier d’Azara). Brazil, 2007.

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Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus, Bécassin à long bec). Brazil, 2007.

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Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus, Tyran quiquivi). Brazil, 2007.

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Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira, Guira cantara). Brazil, 2007.

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Brown-hooded Gull (Larus maculipennis, Mouette de Patagonie). Brazil, 2007.

The largest gull of South-American continent, easily recognized from its plummage and the red spot on the inferior mandible of its yellow beak.

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Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus, Goéland dominicain). Brazil, 2007.

Note: These kelp gull photos are the beginning of a series of images I brought back from Brazil in last January. You will see here one post every two days with a new animal (mostly birds), with one or more photos. Keep visiting us.

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Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias, Caurale soleil). Brazil, 2007.

The Cormorant is clearly a bird easy to find anywhere you can find some water. In Pantanal, the Neotropic Cormorant lives along rivers and is easily seen spreading its wings in the sun while not diving for fishes.

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Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus, Cormoran vigua). Brazil, 2007.

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Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola, Sicale bouton-d’or). Brazil, 2007.

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Vulture (in flight). Brazil, 2007.

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Yellow-rumped Cacique (Cacicus cela, Cassique à cul-jaune). Brazil, 2007.

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Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger, Bec-en-ciseaux noir). Brazil, 2007.

 

 
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Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga, Anhinga d’Amérique). Brazil, 2007.

 
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Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus, tyran mélancolique). Brazil, 2007.

Other possible identification: Cattle tyrant (Machetornis rixosus, Moucherolle querelleur). It was my initial assumption. But I now doubt it because of the wings 2-tone colour (the identification I did has been supported by will and DID in the forums of www.ornithomedia.com).

I identified this bird thanks to “Brazil: Amazon And Pantanal (Travellers’ Wildlife Guides)” the excellent book from David L. Pearson and Les Beletsky. Since the Tropical Kingbird is quite common in Brazil, it is shown in one of the 500 full color illlustrations.

Thanks to Patrick Fagot for his advice for this book.

You can buy it from Amazon by clicking on the image on the left or on the link.

Thanks also to Bruno Tredez for his advice on the identification.