Pousada Aguape

Pousada Aguape

Our chalet

Me looking somewhat surprised in the bar!

We left early on 22nd June for the relatively short drive to Pousada Aguape. It is only 140 kms, but it took us around four hours, the last 50 kms being on a dirt road. However, it was a pleasant drive & we saw some long legged beasties along the way.

Plumbeous Ibis

Bare-faced Ibis

Great Egret

Red-legged Seriema

Bare-faced Curassow

A couple of birds were wandering around the lodge.

Where this species is hunted, it is very difficult to see.

So great to get such good views here!

Black-hooded Parakeet

Giant Cowbird

Rufous-bellied Thrush

Cattle Tyrant

Six-banded or Yellow Armadillo

Several were scavenging around the feeders

We arrived at our destination just after mid-day & while we were having lunch we were entertained by the birds on the nearby feeders.

Rio Aquidauana

Giant Otter

Snowy Egret

Pied Lapwing

This species is highly specialized, only being found 

on sandbanks on rivers.

Golden-collared Macaw

Toco Toucan

White-throated Piping Guan

Amazon Kingfisher

White-winged Swallow

Great Kiskadee

In late afternoon we went on a boat trip down the Rio Aquidauana, which was quite scenic & we saw a few nice birds. However, the highlight was a party of Giant Otters on the bank. There were several animals (hard to count, as they kept deep in cover) including adults & young. A truly great sighting!

Giant Anteater

This animal is being tracked by biologists.

On our way back from the boat trip Delana spotted a Giant Anteater feeding in a nearby field. Great spotting & a brilliant finale to another great day in Brazil!

Anhinga

Female Blue-crowned Trogon

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Out on the river again this morning (23rd June). It was cool & overcast day, but as usual enjoyable. Top birds were Blue-crowned Trogon & Rufous-tailed Jacamar. We came off the river at 10 am just as a cold front was hitting: plunging temperatures & high winds made birding nearly impossible.

Hyacinth Macaw

Toco Toucan

Campo Flicker

Scaled Dove

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Greyish Baywing

Tried to do some birding back at the lodge, but very difficult.

In late afternoon we went for a drive into the property. It was scenic & a little bit different from San Francisco.

The majestic Jabiru

Red-legged Seriema

Crab-eating Fox

Pampas Deer

Common Potoo

It was a nice trip out, without being too exciting!

Blue & Yellow Macaw

Lineated Woodpecker

White Woodpecker

Toco Toucan

Chalk-browed Mockingbird

Thrush-like Wren

Red-crested Cardinal

Grey-crested Cacholote

On 24th June we did some early birding around the lodge & then went on a short hike through a patch of dry forest which proved to be quite productive.

Roadside Hawk

Cattle Tyrant on a sheep's back!

Great Potoo

Little Woodpecker

Red-billed Scythebill

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Blue Dacnis

Another boat trip in the afternoon.

Golden-collared Macaw

Black-crowned Tityra

Not the best photo!

Yellow-chinned Spinetail

Another good day ends

A combination of cold weather & bad light stopped me taking many photos. It was very cold when we got back to the lodge, so we spent most  of our time in our room, trying to keep warm!

Got it!

Male Mato Grosso Antbird

It was so dark, Delana was shining a torch on it

for me to have any chance of having a photo!

A new species for us both!

Red-shouldered Macaw

Female Black-crowned Tityra

Early morning on 25th June saw us birding  old campsite area, just as dawn was breaking. We heard a Mato Grosso Antbird calling & set about trying to see it, which we did after a lot of effort!

Six-banded Armadillo

We got a bit of a surprise when a Crab-eating Fox turned up at the feeders!

Hyacinth Macaw

Blue & Yellow Macaw

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

This bird decided to roost in a small

 bush next to our chalet!

Buff-necked Ibis

Savanna Hawk

Male Howler Monkey

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

We went on another short hike through some woodland this morning. It was much quieter for birds than yesterday, but still worthwhile. As we were walking back to the lodge I spotted a pair of Crested Solitary Eagles displaying at some distance.

The habitat were drove through 

during the game drive.

Collared Peccary

Female Pampas Deer

We went on a short game drive in the afternoon, seeing 4 Collared Peccary (a new mammal for us) & 5 Pampas Deer. We also saw a Giant Ant-eater late on but I didn't get any decent photos.

We leave early in the morning after a very pleasant stay here.