A Caiman peers out from the floating vegetation in the Ibera Wetlands of northern Argentina. Canon 5d iii, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4xTC, 1/1000th, f5.6, ISO 800, handheld from a boat.
Unquestionably, the Ibera Wetlands are rich in wildlife. But unlike other places I’ve spent time in the Neotropics, where wildlife can be cryptic and difficult to find, in the Ibera the animals are hard to overlook. Capybara, the largest rodents in the world (think huge, semi-aquatic guinea pigs), are absolutely everywhere. Black and Spectacled Caiman nap on the shore or are seen as they raise their reptilian eyes from the water to peer about. Three species of deer graze the shores of the marshes or slip in and out of the shadowed patches of forest.
I didn’t get to explore as thoroughly as I would have liked, as I was restricted by time (always it seems). But there is far more to the Ibera, Giant Anteaters were rumored to patrol a distant part of the preserve, and Maned Wolves, the strange long-legged open-country wolves of South America can also be found, if you have the time, patience and persistence to pursue them. I feel like I’ve barely touched the photographic and natural history potential of the Ibera. Someday, hopefully someday soon, I’ll return and give it another go.
Birds, by the way, warrant a post to themselves, so look for that later this week.
A South American Grey Fox trots across a field in the Ibera Wetlands. This guy had clearly been conditioned to humans (probably through mis-guided feeding). Canon 5diii, 500mm f4L IS w/1.4x TC, 1/2000th, f5.6, ISO1600, handheld.
More misunderstood than sinister, a Black Caiman suns itself on some floating vegetation in the Ibera wetlands. The scaly, reflective skin makes photographing these guys extremely difficult as highlights tend to blow out or shadows sink into black. Shady areas, overcast, or early/late day hours would have made the task easier. Canon 5d III, Canon 500mm f4L IS w/1.4TC, 1/3200th, f5.6 ISO 800, handheld from a boat.