20 Sept 2001
Today the sun shines and marsh birds await.
Along with my guide Maximo, Elsa and I visit the west side of Ibera lagoon, where large
floating mats of vegetation create a perfect habitat for birds. I am pushing my
equipment to the limit: taking photos with a 500mm lens and 2.0x tele-extender, on a
tripod in our open boat. Maximo soon learns to ground the boat near shore when photo
opportunities arise. One moment we have an obliging Ringed Kingfisher, next a tame
little White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, then a nice female Green Kingfisher. During two
days I've seen 71 species, and photographed a dozen or more. I must remember times
like this when the rains come, or I'm waiting all afternoon in some dreary airport.
Later - Meals in Argentina reflect the European heritage. Lunch is the main meal, with various pastas and fresh fruit. A proper tea is served about 4:30 in the afternoon; dinner begins at 8:30 p.m. Everything has a hearty, home-made taste - bread, flans, pumpkin soup and gazpacho to die for. While waiting for dinner I update my diary and my bird list. Seated near a fire laid in to ward off the evening chill, sipping a Quilmes beer, listening to classical Spanish guitar on the tape player - all this is as much a part of the Iberá experience as exploring the laguna.
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