Due to the long drive from Campo Grande to the Pousada Toca da Onca, I arrived on the first day in the southern Pantanal in the late afternoon. But it was not too late to join a boat trip. It is very cloudy, but also very warm and humid. The clouds in the sky indicated… Continue reading Pied Lapwing on boat trip at Rio Aquidauana
Category: Birds of Pantanal
Epaulet Oriole in the Pantanal: Taxonomy issues
The morning is still fresh and I want to visit the light gallery forest within the Fazenda in the morning. Again a great sunrise. I start walking with my Nikon Nikkor AF-I 300mm f/2.8 D ED on a Gitzo Monopod and a Metz flash MZ-5. Right at the beginning, there is light forest with its… Continue reading Epaulet Oriole in the Pantanal: Taxonomy issues
Greyish Saltator in Brazil: News from Taxonomy
A Greyish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens) sits on the edge of a bush and spits fruit. The pulp is spilling out of the edges of its beak. I was just about to go to the sparsly vegetated gallery forest. There is a beautiful morning light. Right at the beginning, in the light forest with its cactus… Continue reading Greyish Saltator in Brazil: News from Taxonomy
Rotbrustfalke – Paar im Pantanal
Ein Paar Falken sitzt hoch in einer kahlen Baumkrone und genießt offensichtlich das Nachmittagslicht. Es sind Rotbrustfalken (Falco deiroleucus), die im englischen Orange-breasted Falcon genannt werden. Der Rotbrustfalke ist ein Greifvogel der Neotropis, dessen Verbreitungsgebiet sich früher von Südmexiko bis nach Nordargentinien erstreckte. Heute ist er in seinem ausgedehnten Verbreitungsgebiet nur noch lokal anzutreffen,… Continue reading Rotbrustfalke – Paar im Pantanal
Photographing Herons from a boat on Rio Pixaim
I was excited to see all the animals that would show up during our boat trip in the Pantanal. Maybe a Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)? And what about Jabirus (Jabiru mycteria) or a Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus) or/and other birds? To cut to the chase: I was able to see them all and photograph many… Continue reading Photographing Herons from a boat on Rio Pixaim
Ringed Kingfisher in Pantanal
Quietly a Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) stands on a branch above a channel accompanying the track. Slowly I approach with the Landcruiser. The bird, which was scientifically called Ceryle torquata in former times, is however so tense with prey observation, that it does not pay attention to me. So some close-up photos are taken. … Continue reading Ringed Kingfisher in Pantanal
White-eared Puffbird in Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Brazil
Leaves at the edge of the dusty track are covered thick with rusty-looking dust. After a cool night, the early morning drives the birds into the first rays of sunlight. So also a White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru). The bird sits just at the roadside in a bush equipped with leathery leaves. I photograph the Puffbird… Continue reading White-eared Puffbird in Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Brazil
Yellow-billed Cardinal in Pantanal
Despite being at the edge of its eastern distribution, the Yellow-billed Cardinal (Paroaria capitata) is so common in the Pantanal, that you hardly can miss it. Besides being one of the most colorful birds of the Pantanal, it is also one of the most common along the rivers, corixos and bays of the Pantanal plain.… Continue reading Yellow-billed Cardinal in Pantanal
Blue-crowned Motmot in Pantanal
The Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota) is so common in the Pantanal, that you hardly can miss it. Besides being one of the most colorful birds of the Pantanal, it is also one of the most spectacular birds of the Pantanal by the colorful and unique shape of the tail feathers. The bird is specialized in… Continue reading Blue-crowned Motmot in Pantanal
Dull-capped Attila in Pantanal
The Dull-capped Attila (Attila bolivianus) has rufous-brown upperparts and tail and it has a gray-brown crown. The underparts and the rump are rufous as well. Remarkable is the white iris. Also known as the White-eyed Attila, the Dull-capped Attila is principally an uncommon inhabitant of seasonally flooded forests, including on river islands, as well as… Continue reading Dull-capped Attila in Pantanal
Remarks to wintering Solitary Sandpipers (Tringa solitaria) in the Pantanal
During scientific research in the northern Pantanal between the 20th of December 2012 and the 10th of January 2013 I often observe Solitary Sandpipers along the muddy ditches on a farm. Of the two subspecies of the solitary sandpiper recognized the subspecies present probably was Tringa solitaria solitaria which usually has a more well-defined streak… Continue reading Remarks to wintering Solitary Sandpipers (Tringa solitaria) in the Pantanal
Photographing Tanagers at Itatiaia NP/ Brazil
Stumbling out of the cabin you will be enchanted by the expansive view looking out over the valley below. A blue-grey carpet of clouds is normally lying over the lowlands. In the half light of dawn, Cliff Flycatchers (Hirundinea ferruginea) are already gathering on the roofs of cabins nearby. A first priority should be a… Continue reading Photographing Tanagers at Itatiaia NP/ Brazil