Today, after breakfast, we left the Jaguar ecological reserve - a grand title for a compact lodge - but the welcome and the closeness to the worlds jaguar hotspot made our 5 nights and 4 days an absolute must for this holiday.
With everything packed we wended our way back up the Transpantaneira highway - not a lot of wildlife to stop and view - a marsh deer in water with a smooth billed anni on her back, some jabaru storks and a few hawks - so we we were at our lunch stop on the Pixaim river by 0930. Not a problem ....a lovely spot and we went on their walking trail along the river for an hour or so for a much needed walk - and saw a few birds and a red brockett deer who, because we were really quiet, stayed close so I got some good pictures. Back at the lodge I dangled my now very hot feet in the pool and connected with the outside world for the first time in 7days - I deleted the junk from my inbox and replied to several emails. I also took some pictures of Aracaris ( small toucans) in the trees above the car.
After a buffet lunch at 12ish we continued for another 32 kms to Arasas Eco lodge -our home for the next two nights. A really nice welcome - cold cloths to wipe away the dust - drinks and a good briefing - other lodges could learn from this - it was an excellent start to the stay. We unpacked enough stuff for our two nights and heard the gong for afternoon tea, coffee or juice and cake. While drinking juice and eating cake I took pictures of capybara grazing and walking around the grass, birds at the feeders, including more aracaris who were drinking at the water fountain this time - one photo is the picture on this blog.
After tea we met Sergio and went off for a walk to the 25m canopy tower, where we climbed to the top avoiding the capuchin poo as we went - they like to use the tower when we are not there- at the top we watched the sunset - capuchins playing and eating in the trees below, deer on the marsh, agoutis shuffling around at the base of the tower and lots of birds flying around - including more aracaris this time eating fruits in a tree under the tower so I photographed them from above this time - completing the all round view! We could also see smoke from fires in the distance - not sure if they were controlled or wild- the latter are a real problem at this time of year. We walked back to the Lodge, in the fading light......and while waiting for dinner at 1930 I downloaded my photos and deleted the blurry ones. I did this at a table in the dining room - drinking the always on tap coffee - someone came in to say a tamandour was outside - this is a small tree climbing anteater and rarely seen - so I rushed outside and there it was illuminated by a guides torchlight -it had come down from a tree and was making its way across a gravel area and into some bushes - what an unexpected gem!
After dinner it was an early night as we needed to be up at 0430am as we wanted to watch the sunrise from the tower so we needed to leave at 5am.
New birds today - purplish jay, bay winged cowbird and a capped heron.