Comments on: South America Trip – Part 9: To Rio Verde and Punta Arenas

By: Adam R. Paul

Adam R. Paul — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:56:52 +0000

Robin: Thank you for the kind words. There was almost an embarrassment of photo ops in Patagonia. Almost

By: RainforestRobin

RainforestRobin — Thu, 29 May 2008 23:52:59 +0000

My word, these photos are fantastic. I came here the other day but had to many windows open to comment. It froze so I am back and it is well worth. I am tickled by the variety of things that you photograph, and all so well. I like that. I can’t get over your sunrises; they are like something from another world.

By: aullori

aullori — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:23:32 +0000

excellent point Adam!

By: Adam R. Paul

Adam R. Paul — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:54:36 +0000

Lori: I always enjoy reading your detailed and thoughtful comments – thank you for taking the time to write them! We were lucky enough to see 3 different species of wild parakeets on our trip. I agree about the interesting mash-up of tradition and modernity in the soda bottles as votive offerings! I wouldn’t say we’re so very worshiping at the feet of science, given that there are debates still going on here that are a settled matter of fact in most other industrialized societies. We seem to get it wrong on both counts – the mystic, occult, and genuinely spiritual is shunned as pagan quackery, yet much of the scientific is shunned as anti-biblical. Can’t win, I suppose….

By: aullori

aullori — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:02:57 +0000

Your first shot is just amazing! Okay this is an amazing post… I’m going backwards I know but I once watched a nature show on wild Parakeets and the simple idea of it was really mind-blowing and now you’ve gone and seen them? How wicked is that? I’m as jealous as those guys are green! that condor shot is classically framed – wicked! And as interesting it has been looking at your birds and doing a mild comparison to our counterparts over here I’ve never seen anything remotely like your Imperial Cormorant. That profile shot is just amazing! And even the skunk… dig that guy he looks so amazingly different than our typical ones here in the PNW. This is the third time I’ve read thru your post – so, it’s a big hit in my book – nevertheless my mind did this wild warp thing when I thought of the idea of someone (anyone for that matter) collecting 2 liter bottles with the idea that it would quench the thirst of the dead. The whole thing seems like modern day (bottles) merged with religion is just wild. It’s especially difficult to grasp in America a society that kneels in honor to science. And shakes a finger to anything mythical, occult, mysteries etc… I think that’s develops into a really neat photo-story. Sincere I only see cultural conflicts like that in Nat-geo – very cool thanks so much for sharing that story that is really fascinating!

By: Adam R. Paul

Adam R. Paul — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:13:33 +0000

Klaus: Thank you! I was pleased the Imperial Cormorants gave us some nice close passes. And of course the puppies were a joy.

Mary: I haven’t given any thought to printing anything from this trip just yet – I’m leaning toward doing a book, actually (costs about the same as a nice photo album + prints, and should be much more personable!).

By: Mary Carlson

Mary Carlson — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:51:51 +0000

Adam, that sunrise looks surreal, or like a painting. It’s beautiful. Any thoughts about framing that one? Thanks for taking us along the trip with you.

By: Klaus

Klaus — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:42:47 +0000

Wonderful! The imperial cormorant tops my list! And those puppies provide a cute overload. Excellent work – and a joy to visit! Cheers, Klaus

By: Adam R. Paul

Adam R. Paul — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:34:23 +0000

Montucky: Thanks! I wish I had been able to see the Steamer-Ducks steaming, but they were just sitting on the rock for quite some time.

BrianR: Glad you like it – I certainly enjoy writing these.

Jennifer: Thank you – if you ever have the chance, it’s hard to conceive of a nicer natural vacation place than Patagonia!

ScienceGuy: Yep, rheas are relatives of the ostrich, but considerably smaller (at least the Lesser Rheas in this area – Greater Rheas are larger, but still not nearly ostrich-sized). I was very happy that we saw Andean Condors practically every day were were in Patagonia, although this was by far our closest look at them.

By: scienceguy288

scienceguy288 — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:05:05 +0000

A perfect sunrise. Glad your injury seems to be subsided. The birds are amazing. The rhea look like South American versions of ostriches and the Andean Condor and Imperial Cormorant are simply amazing birds. I’m glad you saw the condor in person. What an amazing bird.