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As I stood at the front of the line waiting to enter Iguazu Falls I was feeling a sense of sheer exuberance. The day before I had set foot in this wonderful treasure of a National Park around noon. It was literally packed and I found myself fighting for elbow space at many of the most popular lookout vantage points. Today my efforts to enter the park early were about to be rewarded. As the gate opened only a few others entered the friendly confines before me.
Most make a beeline for the Devil’s Throat for a spectacular and intimate panorama of the falls mightily crashing down. I on the other hand, chose to head in the opposite direction. I noticed as I was wandering about that I did not have any company with me. It was like I was on my own private tour. It was simply brilliant. I marvelled as I took in the spectacular scenery uniterupted with all of my senses dazzled in an unfamiliar manner.
I noticed a particular vantage point that was truly breathtaking and I pulled out my tripod from my case. I meticulously tinkered with my camera settings to boost the saturation levels, sharpness and exposure to hopefully obtain the ‘perfect’ shot’; however, I soon realized I was no longer alone. My camera bag that was placed haphazardly on a nearby park bench was now the object of affection from a pack of strange looking animals that vaguely resembled raccoons.
My heart began to race as I felt a sense of potential danger being surrounded by a pack of wild animals. It would have made sense for me to retreat but my instincts thrust me towards the animals in an attempt to rescue my bag. My attempt to secure my bag was ‘oddly’ successful but the curious and inquisitive creatures stuck around to observe me a little longer. I marvelled at their distinct faces and long stripy tails. Finally they sauntered off together walking along a pedestrian railing in a sequenced orderly fashion.
It was an encounter I’ll never forget. I was half terrified and half mesmerized. To encounter wildlife I had never seen before in such an intimate manner was truly a momentous and unique moment; however, I also realized it could have potentially been dangerous.
National Geographic is launching a brand new mini series “Untamed Americas” debuting June 10th and 11th at 9PM et/pt on Nat Geo channel. The series showcases the rugged beauty found in the Americas emphasizing wildlife spectacles amidst stunning scenery. Narrated by Academy Award nominated actor Josh Brolin, the high definition footage celebrates the incredible landscape and wildlife in the Americas while encouraging others explore their own backyard.
For more information be sure to check out the following links where you can learn more information regarding the series and potentially win some amazing prizes:
Website: www.natgeotv.com/
What other Travel Bloggers are saying about untamed experiences in the Americas
Instagram Contest: http://tvblogs.
Video Clips: http://video.
Hey Sam! What beautiful pictures of the falls. I am just about to post on Iguazu Falls animals, did a google search to see what other people were posting and you popped up! As always, love your stuff! 🙂
What a chance encounter with the wildlife and the falls are beautiful! I agree, these are the travel moments I love the most too!
What a great and scary experience. I would have left the bag and slowly backed away with my heart in my mouth, but that’s just me. However, I don’t think they posed any danger; if they did, am sure there would have been signs in the park warning visitors of the threats. Thanks for sharing this story with the rest of us who live vicariously through others like you.
We’re big fans of making our own tour as well. Running into those Coatis was such a special moment. Glad you could capture it!
Thanks Mary 🙂 I’m also glad they didn’t take off with my tripod bag. I still have it to this day…haha
I’ve always wanted to go there. Great tip on arriving early. Glad you got your bag back from the crazy raccoons. 🙂
If only my experiences with Coatis were positive. I was attacked by them at Iguazu. They wanted my breakfast. I didn’t want to give it up. I was hungry you see. 30 or so started jumping at my breakfast. I could feel the hunger in their little beady eyes. So I squealed like the girl I am and ran away.
HAHAHA, oh no!
That would have been scary.
This looks amazing – good thing I’m heading there later this year! Your wildlife experience reminds me of having my lunch stolen by raccoons on a beach in Costa Rica. I also saw a coati fall out of a tree on that same trip. It looked so stunned and I really wish I’d caught it on camera!
I used to have raccoons climb up on the deck of my parent’s house when we lived on Vancouver Island. They sure are pesky little creatures.
Wow…I love the way the details showed up on your pictures. Nice shots! I am learning photography at the moment and would love to have your technique. When I was in Iguazu, I don’t even owned a proper camera and even if I did, it will probably got screwed up by the water when I got close to the FALL. You are good. Luckily I only need to capture NON-moving FASHION objects around the world. Great blog.
Cheers.
Thanks Tammy!
It was tricky to capture the falls given the amount of water and mist. I find the best thing one can do it go early in the morning and head in the opposite direction of the crowds.
Just found your website. It’s awesome! Great pics!
The Coatis are beautiful and the water fall is mind blowing. I want to take a tour at Iguazu Falls, Argentina to see the coatis and the amazing water falls.
I’ve never seen or heard of Coatis before! They look so cute!
I don’t remember seeing any coatis when I was at Iguazu Falls a number of years ago, but I also choose to get off the main trail and found some great places to watch the falls from peace and quiet – amazing place and awesome photos man!
Thanks man,
It’s even more marvellous when you get a chance to experience it alone for a while. I’m glad you had that chance as well 🙂
One of my favourite places, Iguacu. I remember the coatis well, adorable and naughty. One of them stole my ice cream.
LOL, I’m enjoying all of these coatis stories. Did it snatch it right out from your hand?
Since I haven’t been to Iguazu Falls yet, I guess I will have to content myself with watching Untamed Americas.
How I wish I can be there in the near future.
Tristan, I hope you get the chance as well! It’s AMAZING! 🙂
They do seem to move in a pack. Like a raccoon, but the tail and how they keep together makes me think of a pack of monkeys. I understand they’re called coati’s.
They look like raccoons and are cheeky like monkeys 😛
What a great set of photos you have posted here for us.. Anyway, thanks a lot! I am sure a lot of people would really love to share this too..
Thank you!!!!
Wow. I’ve heard Iguazu Falls was a must-see…and I can see why!
Roy, they truly are must see! I’d love to go back someday 🙂
Great photos Sam. What were you camera settings, if you don’t mind me asking?
Thanks Cal! I was using a neutral density filter to help block out light and given the water a smooth kind of blurred effect. I remember shooting with as flow of a shutter speed as I possibly could in TV mode with a tripod.
The waterfall shots are awesome, but the Coatis pictures steal the show for me. Love that chap peering off the railing. Clearly not a crowd follower 😉
Thanks Laurence! Definitely not a crowd follower. I’d love to see what you’d capture here!
The animals are pretty cool. Iguazu is definitely on my list, especially as I have seen all of my wife’s pictures from her time there too.
Isn’t it great when you can get into a park early enough to avoid the tourists for a bit.
Oh it sure is Andrew! I’ve often found that I enjoy going to a famous attraction or park more than once to kind of scope it out and figure out a way to avoid the masses.
Wow! Amazing photos.
Thanks Brock 🙂
Thanks for the tip on NG! Great story and the photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for checking it out 🙂
Ugh – I was so grumpy with them when we were there. People kept feeding them in the eating area and they were obnoxious and ruining our lunch. You really can’t leave anything around or they come in droves.
That’s certainly true! I was shocked at how many I encountered and how persistent they were.
Beautiful pictures, Iguazu Falls are beyond stunning.
Thanks Angela 🙂 It sure is a stunning place to visit.
Coatis are so cute. I once saw a bunch of them eating fruit in the jungle. But you encountered an unique opportunity to take a great shot. Wow!!!
Thanks Ruth! I couldn’t believe how many there were all at once!
Very cool story Sam. I’ve always had a hard time photographing coatis…they never stand still!
I agree! All of my photos of coatis are fuzzy. They’re quick little critters.
They sure are quick on their feet! I agree with you both 🙂