At home, we have lived on the banks of an estuary/wetland for a few decades.

A wonderful place to live with a close-knit community.

Why is one attracted to water, aside from the need for survival, and that it can comprise as much as 75% of our being?

Maybe it is because water can evoke emotions of peace and tranquillity?

What we do know is that we are curious to experience a different kind of wetland from the one we are familiar with.

Argentina’s map includes hidden gems that, while lacking the fame of major cities or mass tourism destinations, manage to leave an indelible mark.

One of these is the Iberá Wetlands, a unique ecosystem of wetlands, lagoons, and grasslands where capybaras, caimans, water deer and more than 350 species of birds coexist.

Its value lies not only in its natural beauty but also in the 800-strong Colonia Pellegrini community’s commitment to preserving its heritage and resources.

The history of this place dates back to its origins as a hunting settlement and the Jesuit presence in the surrounding area. Not much seems to have changed since.

Colonia Pellegrini seems suspended in a bygone era, with its sandy streets, mud houses and a pace of life bordering on a siesta. No mini-mecardo, no petrol station. No nothing.

Only a single wood-and-iron bridge that ensures you slow down to its pace.

Here is our trip there.

What seems to be hours of nothing……

Is only punctuated by what appears to be shrines

Or so we thought …

Initially, we are both circumspect of each other.

Capybara / Carpincho

 

Carpincho is Portuguese for a large rodent that inhabits swamps and is the largest of its kind in the world. Capybara is the Spanish word for this species, and it is also the term most commonly used in English.

The northern regions of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay are the only places in South America where this semi-aquatic species may be found.

Capybaras are typically very peaceful; however, if confronted, they have large, sharp rodent teeth that they will use. A bite can be severe and cause deep tissue injury. This, however, is a natural protective response found in all wild animals, not an act of aggression.

It is against the law in Argentina to kill one. They are legally allowed for leather production if raised on farms, and only certified skins may be utilised.

As we get closer to the wetlands and its lushness, everything seems to live in harmony.

Re-purposed Capybara.

Being sentient, what’s good for the goose…

It is heartbreaking to see this expired pangolin.

We suspect it died of natural causes, given the remoteness & lack of traffic.

Thankfully, nature has a way of self-generation if left to do so.

Finally, we get to the small settlement of Colonia Pellegrini.

The only way in and out is via this wood-and-iron bridge.

The planks on the bridge, though, have a hidden surprise. They are all loose and stay in place with gravity. Sounding like a xylophone when crossing, each plank is also beligerent, hellbent on knocking one off the bike. As you ride to one end, the rear end lifts in defiance. The middle section, unfortunately, is missing too many pieces.

Siesta 24/7!

We get to go under that bridge

On one of these.

But first, to get to the boat, we have to get past these.

Caimans, licking their jowls in anticipation.

 

With over 350 species of birds, it is a birders’ paradise. Linda and I are lucky if we can identify a measly handful.

This is the national bird of Uruguay, the Southern Lapwing.

Locals call it a “screamer”.

The male gets to do the heavy lifting, in this instance, building a nest for the chicks.

While others get to do what they do best …

This was one unhappy mother to be, nesting on her eggs. We must have been too close.

This has to be a parrot.

This one too!

This one reminds us of the whydahs we get at home, although it probably isn’t.

This one must be a pied kingfisher of sorts. We have them at home as well.

And this one represents sleepless nights, a bigger car, college funds…

And these we have no idea:

These are marsh deer.

They feed on their knees so as not to sink into the soft marsh.

Life’s a swamp…

But hey, somebody has to do it.

As the sun sets over this wetland, we are reminded of the delicate balance.

And also reminded of our own wetland at home. Not to be outdone, here are some pictures of how such systems reward one every day in their changing moods.

Here is our home’s estuary.

It could be representative of any such system, with the proper care and respect it deserves.