Anaconda & Caiman

Hello Wetpixel,

I'm on assignment in Central Brazil (first time photographing in my home country...) and was extremely lucky to photograph a caiman and anaconda underwater. The snake's five meters long (around 16-17ft.) and I got it this afternoon. These animals are wild, non-captive and photographed in their natural habitat.

My guide and I first spotted the snake on the riverbank then it slid underwater. I followed shortly thereafter. Used the Tokina, D2x and inons. It just hung out there and would approach me, I guess to see it's reflection underwater. Kinda creepy, to say the least...

We're headed back tomorrow. It's been hanging out at the same spot for some time.

Enjoy.

Michael Patrick O'Neill

www.mpostock.com

Awesome images, Michael. Thanks for the unique post.

Bryce

I love that Caiman shot .. brilliant.

Interesting name for a Brazilian ! Michael Patrick O'Neill

Interesting name for a Brazilian ! Michael Patrick O'Neill

Interesting name for a haircut ! a Brazilian.

Michael I love the Caiman too but the Anaconda tongue testing the water is awsome thanks for sharing.

Nige

WOW!@#$%^&*!!! Thanks for sharing. Please post future pics...

I spent some time in the Amazon, 5 hours west of Tefe. I was definitely not brave enough to dive in the zero visibility H20...I did see hundreds of caiman (on the surface, especially at night), as well as the BOTO (the pink, fresh water dolphins).

Love the images!

Post some more as your trip progresses. Thanks for sharing these.

Cheers

Todd

OK, I'll try most things, but I am not sure about diving with an anaconda... I just GOT to ask you - isn't that... unsafe?

(OK forgive me my ignorance on all things Anaconda, I realize you might be smiling they way I do when people ask me "if I was in a cage" when they see some of my shots of reefsharks).

That first shot is a money shot.

Gives me the creeps everytime I look at it.

They're all superb and as with the rest of the posts its tough to pick a best from the 3. The Caiman is probably my favorite.

Hi everybody,

As for "safe." I'm not really sure. My guide swam with two anacondas on previous occasions, so he said it was ok - but he stayed in the boat ;-)

I jumped in with just shorts and mask, no fins or wetsuit. It was pretty intense. Underwater it was curious, unafraid. When I approached it, it would come at me with that tongue. I certainly didn't want to corner it in any way. You get the feeling it's sizing you as a potential meal, even though there's no official record of one eating a person. I think the worst place to be is around the riverbank, not underwater, in my very limited knowledge. We're going back there tomorrow or the day after. We're waiting for it to eat something so it becomes more sluggish. Saw it yesterday but no uw photos. It slipped into the river and vanished.

Here are some more material. I photographed the red and green macaws today (I know wetpixel is about uw photo, but I couldn't resist). Entirely different thing seeing wild macaws vs. caged & captive.

The two fish in motion are dourados, a predatory fish that I believe is part of the salmon family. They can be anywhere from 2-5 ft. Highly sought gamefish. Very curious, especially with the reflection of the dome port.

Little red fish is called a Mato Grosso, popular with the aquarium crowd. Photographed with a 60mm.

The uw vegetation exists in a place with over 100ft of viz.

And another shot of the caiman from my first day shooting here. Not a bad way to start.

Regards,

Michael Patrick O'Neill

www.mpostock.com

unreal shots!

with that first pic,

how did you get that awesome effect (motion blur but still in focus)?

Cal

puff... really impresive pictures, congratulations

These are really cool; do you have a location / nearby town that I can try and see where you are on a map?

Thanks.

Micheal, have you been eaten yet?

great shots

congrats !

Micheal, have you been eaten yet?

Great and refreshing pictures! they are out of the ordinary.

Thank you for posting them

Cool shots!!!

Great to see some "different" freshwater creatures and habitat!

But not the "warm and cozy" feeling you get in the water with our manatee, eh....?

Best, Carol

Back in the States. The snake didn't eat me but the mosquitoes and ticks certainly did.

Here's one more shot from the first (and unfortunately only day uw with it). It proved to be very elusive. Saw a tv documentary on anacondas which said a five meter snake like this one can exert as much pressure (weight) on a person's chest as a school bus. Not warm and fuzzy...

Best regards,

Michael

Back in the States. The snake didn't eat me but the mosquitoes and ticks certainly did.

 

Here's one more shot from the first (and unfortunately only day uw with it). It proved to be very elusive. Saw a tv documentary on anacondas which said a five meter snake like this one can exert as much pressure (weight) on a person's chest as a school bus. Not warm and fuzzy...

 

Best regards,

Michael

Michael,

Still, extremely cool!!! (If not "warm and fuzzy"....).

Actually I haven't encountered the mosquitos/ticks at the Florida springs but bugs usually don't like me very much ---- I did however encounter a cottonmouth moccasin near Three Sister's but it was dead. Looked like its throat was split by an osprey or something?

Your guy there in Brazil is totally impressive and you are 'da brave man!!!!

Best to you and continued good luck, Carol