My last post was getting too big so I saved the raptors and Mammals of the Llanos (Hato Pinero) for this post. I may as well get this boring bit out of the way so you can watch the raptor fest unfold...lol
Stuff of dreams.....
Savanah Hawk
Crane Hawk
The male looking very menacing
As vultures go the Black Vulture is quite a pretty species, we encountered them in most locations but on the Llanos they were very co-operative and often perched on fence post close by to a lagoon
Black-Colored Hawk
Juv Great Black Hawk
"Jaguar".
We left the lodge early to catch a boat for a planned river trip. We had stopped at a couple of lagoons along the way, and just as the light picked up our Guide and driver shouted "Jaguar", a large cat quickly crossed the track into the trees. I got out of the car and quickly managed to get the bins on it as it strolled out of sight into the dense vegetation.... Very happy! ....... not a chance, because we turned around to get back into the car when we were confronted with this.....Please click on the Jaguar - she really is beautiful
Stuff of dreams.....
Daylight and a 100ft away stands before us this magnificant Jaguar, excitement, deep breath hold the camera steady...bingo
One good shot was all I needed, it turned away and trotted back up the track that we had just come down, a few more shots for the memory , and a 2 or 3 minute chance in a lifetime encounter.
Bring on the birds
The Llanos turned out to be a raptor fest, large magestic birds of prey often showing very well and often being more than obliging for photo opportunities.
Savanah Hawk
No need to perch in a tree when it can sit comfortably along the trackside, even allowing me the chance to wind down the window for this shot
Crane Hawk
Common around the lagoons, often walking along the pool edges, however on this occassion a pair visited our ranch building and gave me a very intimate encounter.
The male looking very menacing
female
a real head turner
As vultures go the Black Vulture is quite a pretty species, we encountered them in most locations but on the Llanos they were very co-operative and often perched on fence post close by to a lagoon
Black-Colored Hawk
Oi dont shout -Not sure if he was actually shouting at us, makes for a great shot though
Great Black-Hawk
A simply magnificant bird.
We had a couple of Owl sightings while on the Llanos however after an evening on the tracks doing some spotlighting we arrived back at the ranch to find this Great Horned Owl sat on our roof, unfortunatly my camera work really doesnt do this bird the justice it deserves
Suprisingly the Crested Caracaras didnt give me many photo opportunites as they were often flying at great speed
Roadside Hawk
Not always on the Roadside
Juv Great Black Hawk
Laughing Falcon
This was probably the only species that we needed a scope for and my only sighting of the trip
This was probably the only species that we needed a scope for and my only sighting of the trip
Yellow Headed Caracara
Overall as majestic, proud and spectacular the other raptors are I think this species became my fav. The Yellow Headed Caracara were in large numbers in and around the ranch building. They were almost friendly .... very charasmatic and certainly fun to watch as they fed on the floor and preened on walls, roofs, posts.... everywhere really.
it wasnt just about Jaguars and birds of prey
Spectacled Cayman
it has a cunning look of
"Lets Dance" or "Dont mess with me"
peek a boo
Green Iguana
if I had known how quick these things move rest assured I would not have been on my stomach taking this image!
Weeping Capuchin
Red Howler Monkey
Crab-eating Fox
we were lucky enough to see a large family together
Capybara
and a funny looking tree....
Great Potoo
This was certainly one of my target birds for the trip and I never imagined we would find one 10ft away while sat ontop of a truck ... no scope or even binoculars needed for this one. I did laugh to my self once we left when I figured that I took 30 shots of a bird that was never going to move and while the truck was staitionary I was not going to move.... 30 images all the same..... but give me that opportunity again anytime!
of course it was a real shame we ever had to leave
If your ever stuck for a place to visit and really cant decide where think about the Llanos in Venezuela
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