Avistar Tales Part 2

in Nature by Marcelo Krause — October 18, 2009 at 3:46 PM | 1 comment

This year I managed to achieve better results at the Avistar photo contest. One of my photos ended in first place at the “best record” category and another one in third place at the “best photo” category.

I took the picture below during a short trip to Fazenda Barra Mansa in south Pantanal. The lodge is near where the Vazante do Castelo (a seasonal river) meets the Rio Negro. One of the lodge activities is a canoe ride down the Vazante. During one of these rides I was observing a Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) walking on some aquatic plants followed by two very small chicks. As we approached then the mother flew away to the other side of the river margin, leaving both chicks that still weren’t old enough to fly, behind. The chicks then have thrown themselves into the water and begun floating downstream with the current. I was able to make a few shots before they crossed to the other side of the river.

I was on the Transpantaneira in north Pantanal when experienced birdwatching guide Marcelo Pádua spotted this beautiful Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus). It was early February, the wet season in Pantanal. Opposite to what many people believe, the wet season is also a very good time to visit Pantanal, especially because of the gorgeous landscapes. The hummingbird was feeding on some low flowers right on the side of the road, a few kilometers from Araras Eco Lodge. Even this is not a rare bird, it was the first time I spotted it.