Pantanal to Brasilia

July 14, 2024

We were able to fit in one last game drive before departing the Pantanal and flying to Brasilia-our gateway to the Cerrado. Our new animal of the day were the white-lipped peccaries.

We saw black-faced ibis strolling the grounds as we left our room to meet up for our final safari.

Our safari began with a flock on nanday parakeets feeding on the ground.

Next we saw a jabiru stork.

We tried a final time for the jaguars at the carcass, but they were definitely gone as it was covered with black vultures.

We first spotted the peccaries crossing the road in front of us. When rewilding jaguars, the keepers know the cats are ready for the wild when they can kill a peccary. It is the hardest for them to learn to kill. Peccaries can run up to 22 miles per hour and if threatened, they may attack as an entire herd.

As we drove along, we saw monk parakeets,

a capybara,

a green ibis,

a toucan in a tree,

and some rheas.

Then we stopped for a while at a very active pond with several different birds.

An egret and two jabiru sports were busy catching fish.

We also spotted a bare-faced ibis, toucan and cocoi heron.

A black-collared hawk swept down, frightened the egret away, and then settled back on a tree branch.

The roadside hawk kept a lower profile on the ground.

A male bare-faced curassow was on the far bank.

As were some tiny sayaca tanagers - although they were too far away to get a great picture.

After leaving the pond, we were lucky enough to see another squadron of peccaries. These were feeding in an open area and great fun to watch.

A great black hawk watched over the peccaries, likely hoping they would scare up something tasty with all their rooting.

It's patience was rewarded with a tasty frog.

One of the peccaries angered some others and they chased it off. Luisa said this was unusual as peccaries are not usually very hierarchical.

Even when left alone, it stayed back away from the rest of the squadron.

Eventually, the peccaries began to wander off in small groups across the road.

While others stayed behind continuing to forage.

All too soon we needed to head back to the lodge to have breakfast and catch our ride to the Campo Grande airport. On the way back we had a last glimpse of pampas deer

and capybara.

The Campo Grande airport was pleasantly small so our gate was easy to find. We arrived in Brasilia about 10:30 at night. Our driver to the hotel would also take us to the Cerrado tomorrow.