Brazil and the Tropics

Escaping the European energy crisis in paradise

A unique opportunity to escape to south of the equator and exchange a UK Winter for summertime in Brazil became just too good to resist. Back in 2012, our Brazilian colleagues came to Hove to study English staying with us for a couple of months.

Blue and Green Macaw

Now cashing in on a decade old rain check, we were heading down to the Southern Hemisphere and a tropical paradise. In the Tropic of Capricorn the jungle is alive, the weather is warm and the daily heavy tropical cloud bursts only last a few minutes.

Tufted Capuchin Monkey

Parque Ecologico Olhos D'agua Brasilia

Brasilia has many natural parks, and near to my abode in the ASA Norte or North Wing, is the gorgeous Olhos D'agua Brasilia ecological area which is about the size of Central Park.

A ten minute walk away, made for an easy and enjoyable early morning start. Sunrise was beautiful and after 30 minutes the angle of the sun was just perfect for photography.

Elsewhere Brazil's capital city is surrounded by a large expanse of cerrado and tropical savannah which has been preserved in its natural state and designated Parque Nacional de Brasilia. Except for one side where the entrance is, this has been made into a water park, with sports education centers very popular with school children, the vast area of 42,000 ha. (163 square miles) has been skillfully left to remain pure cerrado.

Established by Presidential Decree in 1961 as part of the original design of the city, Brasilia National Park is the largest park in an urban area in the world. A unique wilderness, it continues to provide habitat and refuge for the threatened Mane Wolf, Cougar,Tapir, Giant Anteater, Jaguar and over 200 bird species.

Excursions from my Brasilia base made into the interior of the country brought many additional interesting photographic opportunities. The wetland region of Brazil known as the Pantanal proved exceptional with many exotic birds and animals. Driving up over rough terrain (only negotiable with a 4 wheel drive vehicle) to Lago de Serra da Mesa became a real adventure where we lived on a diet of fish caught directly from the lake in a small boat.

On one occasion a Piranha, responsible for artfully eating the bait from our hooks all day was finally caught. The fish became my supper, served to me ceremoniously garnished with spices, an honor reserved for the only fisherman that did not catch a single fish.

Eternal thanks to our Brazilian hosts and capable companions Nilton and Claudia Campos Aaruna. What great sports they proved to be!

Red and Green Macaw

Rufous-Tailed Jacama

Toco Toucan

African Tulip tree an invasive species

Returning home
Equipped with a wealth of discoveries and photographs and a glowing sense of achievement, we fly north across the equator to the Northern Hemisphere and home to England. There is much more bird material to share and publish.