It’s time to get out onto the rivers and head into the marshes in search of jaguars.
There were a number of these floating hotels along the main river near Porto Jofre.
The sandbars often had interesting birds like this Large-billed Tern.
There were Jabiru everywhere.
Giant River Otters were seen in small groups lurking in the tangles along the edge of the rivers.
Sometimes these large otters were in plain sight, often eating fish.
Raptors were also common on the river. Crested Caracara on the left and Great Black Hawk on the right. Then our boatman got word on the radio that a jaguar was seen. The boat turned and with pedal to the metal (so to speak) we were speading off in search of these large felines.
Our first jaguar! It was sitting calmly on an overlook watching for caiman, a favorite food.
Somehow, when these amazing beats looked right at you it was a little unsettling.
After our time with the jaguar we went off in search of other critters, like this Ringed Kingfisher.
Greater Ani were seen daily along the river.
We even managed to find a Great Antshrike.
Pale-legged Hornero on the left. Chotoy Spinetail on the right.
Much to my pleasant surprise Rufescent Tiger-Herons were everywhere. This is a juvenile/sub-adult bird.
A nice find were three Brazilian Teal.
This Gray-cowled Wood-Rail was another nice find. Then the call came and we were off in search of a pair of jaguars.
Here was one of the pair of jaguars that were close to the river.
Pretty soon one got onto the other and it was now easy to tell the male from the female
Time for a break as both cats watched the 30+ boats watching their sexual antics.
Oh well, might as well have sex again.
And so ended day-4.
Michael's Place 