The Pantanal (literally "swamp") is a huge area of Mid Western Brazil bordering on Bolivia and Paraguay that is inundated during the rainy season, with small slips of dry land remaining, and is still wet, but passable in the dry season (our summer). The wildlife of Brazil's wetlands, particularly jaguars, have adapted to the wet climate and to hunting along waterways during Brazil's summer. They typically are seen along the creeks and rivers where their main prey is likely to be found, caimans and the world's largest rodents, Capybara.
Every jaguar we saw appeared to be well fed and healthy; we identified at least 8 individuals. We think of cats as avoiding water, but the Pantanal jaguars are well adapted to water, excellent swimmers, able to cross wide rivers with impressive speed. The locals identify them by individual markings on their heads. In particular, one large male that we saw several times who has an injured right eye and a great big belly is called "Mick Jaguar". The Panatanal also affords views of birds and other animals not seen elsewhere; we were never at a loss for photographic subjects.