September 12: Jaguars Everywhere!
This was an exceptionally good jaguar day! We saw Ãgue, The Brothers, and a new jaguar named Medrosa, who was instantly recognizable because her eyes are a dark amber color. (I am terrible at figuring out who is who, except for The Brothers. Xando’s crossed eyes give him away every time, bless him…)
But the day started out with horses—right outside my cabin. (It looks very light in this photo, but it was only 5:40 a.m.)
This fellow seemed annoyed that I didn’t have any treats. (You can tell he’s not happy because his ears are down and back.) Since this was the first time I’d seen horses at Porto Jofre, I had to apologize to him and promise I’d do better next time.
Equine visitor, Hotel Pantanal Norte
©️APaige Baker, 2019
The sunrise over the river as we left the dock was spectacular. The clouds were stunning.
Sunrise, Cuiaba River
©️APaige Baker, 2019
We found several birds while we were hunting for jaguars. This Jabiru stork caught my eye because it looked so much like an insect:
Jabiru Stork
©️APaige Baker, 2019
Capped Herons are really lovely birds….
Capped Heron
©️APaige Baker, 2019
Our first jaguar “find” of the day was Ãgue. She may be young, but she is already a veteran entertainer and model. Click the arrows to go through the gallery of her photos. Be sure to notice the one where she is sharpening her claws.
All images ©A Paige Baker, 2019
Before we found The Brothers, we ran across these Howler monkeys. The males are born blonde, but turn black with age. The females are born blonde and stay that way.
Male Black Howler
©️APaige Baker, 2019
Female Black Howler with Infant
©️APaige Baker, 2019
The Brothers gave us the best show of all. I can’t stress enough how unbelievably rare it is to see two full-grown, male jaguars hunting, swimming, playing, and sleeping together. They were really playful with each other this day—especially toward the end, when Borro found a stick he wanted to play with and Xando decided he wanted to play with it too!
The Brothers prepare to go swimming…
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Xando “cat-paddling”
©A Paige Baker, 2019
I’ve got your back….
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Borro.
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Xando shakes it off
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Whole lot of shakin' goin' on...
©️APaige Baker, 2019
He’s got a ticket to ride….
©️APaige Baker, 2019
Humans are not the only ones who duck their brothers…
©A Paige Baker, 2019
I cant beleev he jus did that…
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Cut it out, Xando—the hoomans ar STARING!
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Xando: Look, Borro! I haz a stik!!!
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Borro: I too enjoyz a stik!! Yu shud share!!
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Xando: Get ur own stik—this iz MINE!
©A Paige Baker, 2019
Our final jaguar sighting of the day was Medrosa—the unusual amber-eyed beauty:
Medrosa
©️APaige Baker, 2019
We also ran across this interesting Smooth-Billed Ani. The description in my bird book says that it looks “disheveled.” The book has a point:
Smooth-billed Ani
©️APaige Baker, 2019
Cocoi heron
©️APaige Baker, 2019
I’ll admit that I never get tired of the Cocoi herons. This one made me think of a pterodactyl…
I also had an opportunity to photograph some of the innumerable trees that line the banks of the river. In the dry season (which is now), the water recedes so much that you can see the root systems. Apparently, it is not uncommon for trees to fall into the river because the exposed roots can no longer support the heavy tops. If you look near the top of the photograph, you will notice a distinct line between the dark lower part of the tree itself and the brighter branches. That is the water line during the rainy season. It’s a good 8-10 feet between that line and the river level now.
Roots
©️APaige Baker, 2019
And another gorgeous sunset over the river….
Sunset, Cuiabá River
©A Paige Baker, 2019