RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)

Today is our last day, so Wolf and Regina want to be sure we don’t miss anything. We leave at 5:00 in the morning on the boat. One of our travel partners says, “Morning is so beautiful, it’s a shame it doesn’t come later so more people could enjoy it.” I chuckle: there is a lot to miss if you don’t see morning in the Pantanal. On the river, howler monkeys growl so loudly it sounds like King Kong is in the bushes. A pygmy kingfisher is the highlight of the day. Only a few inches tall, its iridescent feathers shimmer in the morning sun. A little blue heron, shines with a rich indigo plumage. Our day is complete with a visit from a brilliant Orange-backed troupial near the lodge veranda.

American pygmy kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea)

Orange-backed troupial (Icterus croconotus)

Orange-backed troupial (Icterus croconotus)

Chestnut-eared aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)