03 September 2011

Hoatzin


Late last night we returned from the jungle after four days (three nights) at Samona Lodge in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve — a wonderful time and excellent value. I'd tried to keep my expectations low but still hoped to see a few special animals, in particular the strange, prehistoric-looking hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) and a sloth (for RR). The hoatzins were no problem (photographing them from a canoe was a different matter), but sadly the sloths remained invisible.

 
[31 August 2011 (Ecuador), Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 300 mm, ISO 400, 1/200 at f5.6] 


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11 comments:

  1. Zhoen3 September 2011 at 12:50

    Strange, insane looking creatures.

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  2. Relatively Retiring3 September 2011 at 18:40

    What a magical mystery tour for you. Were you close enough to truly experience the Stnkbird?
    It's approriate that the gentle smiley sloth remains invisible, like the Cheshire Cat.

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  3. pohanginapete4 September 2011 at 01:57

    Zhoen, they do have a slightly crazed look about them.

    RR, we didn't get close enough to smell them, although the obnoxious smell I believe is most obvious when they're gutted. I guess smelling and tasting foul's a good way to guarantee survival.
        I wonder how many sloths we saw without realising?

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  4. Barbara Butler McCoy4 September 2011 at 12:39

    What an amazing, intriguing, amusing creature. The tail is interesting ... I just can't stop looking at it long enough to find my words ;0

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  5. pohanginapete4 September 2011 at 23:53

    Barbara, even the sounds they make are weird — wheezing, hissing, croaking. The chicks have claws on their wings, too, making them seem even more primitive and strange.

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  6. Anonymous6 September 2011 at 03:02

    Even my imagination couldn't come up with a creature that looks like this. To know it exists is actually a delight. Photoshopped by evolution!

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  7. pohanginapete7 September 2011 at 00:40

    Robin, as my brother said, it looks like something Dr Suess might have dreamed up ;^)

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  8. leonie8 September 2011 at 00:33

    Ha. What a crazy looking bird! It _does_ look quite Seussian - I agree

    :)

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  9. pohanginapete8 September 2011 at 08:43

    Leonie, my aunt suggested it looked as if it had just tumbled out of bed after a rough night. I agree, and I'm sure I look like that sometimes ;^)

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  10. Lydia20 October 2011 at 22:23

    So wonderful. I wish the sloths had come out for you. I am sort of in love with sloths, thinking they are among the most darling of creatures.

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  11. pohanginapete21 October 2011 at 00:09

    Lydia, who knows — maybe they did, but we just weren't good enough to see them ;^)

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Constructive criticism is welcomed (I particularly appreciate thoughts on what you like and don't like), but please keep it courteous.