Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis)

Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) is one of many species of birds seen in the garden of Hotel do Ype. Altitude: 1021 metres. It sounds like this:…


Headlight Beetle (Pyrophorus nyctophanus)

Headlight Beetle (Pyrophorus nyctophanus)

The glowing larvas of the headlight beetle (Pyrophorus nyctophanus) is such a little known annual display in Oct/Nov in some of the forests bordering the…


Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

A boat on the Cristalilno river is an excellent way to see life in the reserve, and as in Pantanal there are muscovy ducks also here in the Cristalino……


Cat’s-eye Sapphire (Lasaia arsis)

Cat’s-eye Sapphire (Lasaia arsis)

I've shot cat’s-eye sapphire (Lasaia arsis) times before, but I just can't help myself - and this shot I think really shows the splendor of this species!……


Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens)

Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens)

Nightjars are naturally hard to see as they're nocturnal, but you definitely hear them and if you use their sound you can often locate them with a flashlight.…


Attalea phalerata

Chopi Blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi)

Chopi Blackbird (Gnorimopsar chopi) is a common bird in Pantanal, and several resides close to the buildings of Pousada Xaraés. This is a pair with chicks that…


Strangler Fig (ficus clusiifolia)

Strangler Fig (ficus clusiifolia)

The way the the strangler figs spread the constrictive "tentacles" around the palm's trunk is as artistic to the casual viewer as it's deadly to the host. This…


Strangler Fig (ficus clusiifolia)

Strangler Fig (ficus clusiifolia)

I found a great number of strangler figs on palm trees during my stay at Pousada Xaraés. The fig seemed specialized on palm trees - like a subspecies, but I'm…


Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

I saw quite a few black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) ducks on the riverbanks of Fazenda San Fransico's river. They were more nervous than…


Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

A large and common bird throughout the Pantanal. It's incredible how nature has come up with the red protrusions above the eyes - nature's henna paint! It…