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.

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge it

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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.

Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge it

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

Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge it

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

Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge it

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

Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge it

Vulture (in flight). Brazil, 2007.

Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge it

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

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

 

 
Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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

 
Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

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.

 

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona, Martin-pêcheur d’Amazonie). Brazil, 2007.

 

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana, Martin-pêcheur vert). Brazil, 2007.

 

Click on the thumbnails image to enlarge them

Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata, Martin-pêcheur à ventre roux). Brazil, 2007.