“Watching You” was a dream come true
As we traverse the globe in search of breathtaking moments, each click of the shutter holds the promise of untold stories, illuminating the beauty and intricacies of the animal kingdom; from the majestic grace of a polar bear navigating icy shores to the playful curiosity of a gorilla in lush jungles, our journeys are driven by a passion for capturing wildlife in its purest form, celebrating their existence while advocating for their conservation in the wild.
Most photographers have a wish list of places and subjects that they want to shoot. Mine personally is to capture the top 7 largest cats in the wild. As we flew to Brazil and traveled to the Pantanal, we started to become very excited at the possibility of seeing a Jaguar in the wild.
The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the world’s largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It sprawls over an area estimated at between 140,000 and 195,000 km2 (54,000 and 75,000 sq mi). Needless to say it is huge and unlike any other place on earth. Coming from Florida, it is natural to compare the Pantanal to the Everglades. But the Pantanal is over 20 times larger than the Everglades. Both are crucial for wildlife, but the Pantanal’s vast size and seasonal flooding result in a more concentrated and staggering abundance of biodiversity.
As we ventured along the winding Transpantaneira Road, the excitement built with every wooden bridge we crossed (no less than 122), revealing the vibrant tapestry of life that blooms in the Pantanal. Porto Jofre, our ultimate destination, awaited with its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. With each bend in the road, we marveled at the graceful movements of capybaras, the elusive tapir (which we saw crossing the road at one point), and the majestic rhea (a flightless bird similar to an ostrich), each moment a reminder of nature’s artistry. The dry season transformed the wetlands into a vivid gallery, where the calls of exotic birds filled the air and the serene beauty of the Cuiabá River beckoned us to explore deeper. In this enchanting corner of Brazil, adventure and tranquility meld seamlessly, creating an unforgettable experience that lingers long after the journey ends. This trip was a dream come true.
We spent four unforgettable days navigating the Cuiaba River in search of jaguars as they approached the shoreline for a drink or a hunt. During this shoulder season, we found ourselves alone on the river, accompanied only by a few fishermen who had flown in. Our efforts were rewarded when we encountered eight magnificent jaguars, including a spectacular sighting of one on the prowl hunting in and out of the water, making it an experience we will cherish forever.
