The Astonishing Pantanal

My August 2024 photography trip to the Pantanal through Tusk Photo, Inc. was incredible. I want to thank especially Brendon Creamer, our guide, from (https://www.tuskphoto.com/), and our local guides, Vitinho Nascimento, Southern Pantanal (vitinhobirdwatchingtours.com – Birdwatching Tours), and Fabiano F Oliveria, Northern Pantanal (https://biodiversebraziltours.com/).

They made our trip very special. With only six participants, Brendon could give us detailed attention and help. He could tailor his instruction to our level and specific photographic abilities. He also had a special ability to make non-shooting moments fun, and we laughed a lot.  

Vitinho is one of the most helpful and kind guides I have ever met. He is a great person, always assisting us, especially my camera club friend. He carried and helped her with her equipment, especially when we walked fast in the field following the Giant Anteaters. This helped make it possible for her to get images of this magnificent animal.

Fabiano’s knowledge of the Pantanal had no equal. His intimacy with his country allowed us to see a record of thirty-five different jaguar sightings and twenty-four different individual jaguars, including two that were never seen before. He is the chief river guide and has the respect of all the other boat drivers and tour operators. We speak the same language about the natural world, and both have a special relationship, love, and empathy for life, especially the Pantanal for him and the Ramrod Ranch of Central California for me.

I believe our group bond, friendship, and good feelings permeated us, leading to more fantastic sightings than usual. I highly recommend Tusk Photo Tours; we experienced both the Southern and Northern Pantanal regions, whereas other operators only offer the Jaguar County of the Northern Pantanal. We also photographed many species of birds, had an incredible snorkeling adventure, and photographed jumping Piraputanga fish.

Here are some of my best images from the trip. I hope they inspire you to visit this wonderful area of the world.  (To See Larger Images, Click on One, and It will One up big On A Separate Page)

I love this place so much that I am returning with some friends in August 2025.