Brasil

Been back from Brasil for a couple of weeks now. I was there for a bird conference and then took a few days to visit the Pantanal. The conference was in a place called Campos do Jordao which is a rich persons hideaway in the mountains outside of Sao Paulo. The town looks like a Swiss Challet and is similarly expensive. I didn't like it much. The Atlantic forest is amazing but little of it remains. After the conference I travelled with a friend, Leo Fusani, to the Pantanal. Lisa's mom came to visit while I was away to help take care of the kids. Her visit allowed me to take a few days and visit the Pantanal. The Pantanal is the largest wetlands in the world. Its an area the size of England and is 80% flooded in the wet season. We visited in the dry season. We flew from Sao Paolo to Campo Grande and then rode in a pick-up for 5 hours to the Fazenda Barra Mansa. We stayed there for 3 nights which really meant 2 full days. It was amazing. Below are some pics.

Here is a pic of Campos do Jordao. Looks like Switzerland but there are parrots flying around, just weird.

Driving to the Pantanal we spotted this giant anteater!

Check out the coati:

The banks of the Rio Negro were home to Capybara and Caimens:

Here I am with Leo and our guide, Antonio, is behind us in the boat:

I always like kingfishers:

Trogons are always a great bird to see:

Capybara everywhere!

Crab-eating fox!

Plush-crested jay:
Purplish jay:River otter!

As close as we came to seeing a tapir.

Or an ocelot:

But we did see this pigmy owl.

Caught a bunch of piranas. Check out the teeth!

Who is the boss now?

Wrangling a caiman. He was friendly!

Jabiru stork!
They are huge, about 4ft tall and 6ft wingspan.

How most people get to the fazendas. Much faster than driving.
Burrowing owl!
Southern caracara.
Red headed cardinal:
I'm on a horse, believe it or not!
Hyacinth macaws!
Big old tortoise!
Little bitty snake!
Pair of macaws!