The Cuiaba River
Pantanal
Brazil
South America

Two capybara siblings showing affection for each other. Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world. Not the cutest animals, but one of my favorites when I visit the Pantanal. Just recently on the internet, however, I saw an article about capybaras invading Florida.

Tags:   Brazil Trip 2016 Cuiaba River Pantanal Brazil South America Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Along the Riverbank Siblings Affection Sue Roehl Natural Exposures Photographic Tours Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 100-400 mm Lens Animal Mammal Rodent Outdoors NGC NPC

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Along the Transpantaneira Highway
The Pantanal
Brazil
South Highway

The plumbeous ibis, Theristicus caerulescens, also formerly called the blue ibis, is a large distinctive ibis species endemic to parts of central South America.

Its habitat largely comprises the lowland grassy wetlands of the Pantanal and the Chaco. It is found here foraging at marshes, swamps, lagoons, shallow lakes, flooded pastures, ponds and other moist ground; but also perches in tree branches near or above the water to roost. It has also been sighted in upland marshes, usually up to 600m in elevation; and at small remnant pools in desiccated lagoons and on dry grasslands. Further, this ibis commonly occurs near human habitation and other manmade features; including dams and seasonally-flooded rice fields. It is also a relatively common sight along the Transpantaneira Highway in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso. Finally, it has been recorded close to the east Brazilian coast in wet areas in the Lagoa do Peixe National Park on the peninsula separating Lagoa dos Patos from the Atlantic, but probably avoids the saline and brackish waters.

For more information on this ibis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbeous_ibis

Tags:   Brazil Trip 2016 Transpantaneira Highway Brazil The Pantanal South America Plumbeous Ibis Theristicus caerulescens bird animal blue ibis A Large Distinctive Species Endemic to Parts of Central South America Lowland Grassy Wetlands Sue Roehl Natural Exposures Photographic Tours Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 100-400 mm Lens

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Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America

The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft). Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance.

The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal.

For more info go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter

Tags:   Brazil Trip 2016 Cuiaba River Brazil The Pantanal South America Giant River Otter Pteronura brasiliensis HIghly Social Carnivorous Mustelidae Weasal Family Up to 5.6 Feet Long Dominant Breeding Pair Cohesive and Cooperative Agressive Diurnal Noisiest Otter Amazon River and Pantanal Sue Roehl Natural Exposures Photographic Tours Lumix DMC-GX8 100-400 mm Lens Mammal Outdoors River

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Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America

I was very lucky to see a South American tapir up close along the shore of the Cuiaba River on the last night of my trip to the Pantanal. Amazingly, the last time any of the guides saw one of these endangered animals was on my last trip to the Pantanal in 2012. The animal stood on the edge of the river and proceeded to enter the water. Before we knew it, the animal swam all the way across. It stopped in the middle of the river in front of our boat and dived down into the water and came up on the other side. It was an amazing moment. I was so thrilled to see the tapir because my previous images were not very good back in 2012.

The South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), Brazilian tapir (from the Tupi tapi'ira), lowland tapir or (in Portuguese) anta, is one of five species in the tapir family, along with the Mountain tapir, the Malayan tapir, the Baird's tapir, and the kabomani tapir. The lowland tapir is the largest native terrestrial mammal in the Amazon.

The South American tapir can attain a body length of 1.8 to 2.5 m (5.9 to 8.2 ft) with a 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) short stubby tail and an average weight around 225 kg (496 lb). Adult weight has been reported ranging from 150 to 320 kilograms (330 to 710 lb).

The South American tapir can be found near water in the Amazon Rainforest and River Basin in South America, east of the Andes. Its range stretches from Venezuela, Colombia, and the Guianas in the north to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in the south, to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador in the West.

Dwindling numbers are due to poaching for meat and hide, as well as habitat destruction. The South American tapir is generally recognized as an endangered animal species, with the species being designated as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on June 2, 1970. It has a significantly lower risk of extinction, though, than the other four tapir species.

For more information see:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_American_tapir

Tags:   Brazil Trip 2016 The Pantanal Brazil South America Tapir Tapirus terrestris Largest Native Terrestrial in the Amazon Up to 8.2 Feet Largest Size 710 lbs Endangered Habitat Loss Mammal Sue Roehl Photographic Tours Natural Exposures Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 100-400 mm Lens River Outdoor Greater Swimmer Diver Mainly Found Near Water NGC

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Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America

The Ringed Kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the Americas. Its heavy, pale-based bill, disheveled crest, blue-gray plumage, white collar, and red belly are visible and recognizable even at a distance. Ringed Kingfishers are often conspicuous, searching shallow water for fish from a prominent perch and chattering noisily when disturbed. Singles or pairs are also often observed flying high overhead and giving loud "keck!" contact calls. Like other kingfishers, the Ringed nests in burrows excavated in banks, generally along watercourses. This species occurs in areas with shallow water throughout the Neotropics south to Tierra del Fuego.

Tags:   Brazil Trip 2016 The Pantanal Cuiaba River Brazil South America Ringed Kingfisher Catching Fish Largest Kingfisher in the Americas Heavy Pale Bill Disheveled Crest Blue Gray Plumage White Collar Prominent Perch Chattering Noisily Single or in Pairs Loud Calls Burrows in Banks Sue Roehl Natural Exposures Photographic Tours Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 100 - 400 mm lens Mammal Bird Animal Outdoors Fishing NPC

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