After finishing lunch on the flotel, we boarded our boat and headed upriver. It didn’t take long before we spotted a few caiman basking along the riverbank. We positioned the boat carefully, seeking both good light and strong composition as we prepared to photograph them.
Just a few minutes later, the moment we dream of as wildlife photographers unfolded before us — a jaguar emerged from the brush and began stalking the caiman. From our position, the caiman stood directly between us and the jaguar, giving us the perfect vantage point.
I quickly double-checked my settings: fast shutter speed, high frame rate, and a memory card capable of handling a long burst. My arms grew tired as I held position, finger poised, waiting for the chase to erupt.
Then, without warning, the jaguar lunged into full pursuit. Water exploded in every direction as it sprinted at top speed toward the caiman. I locked on, firing continuously, refusing to let the action slip past my lens.
When the chase came to an abrupt stop, the caiman had narrowly escaped — but I knew I had captured an unforgettable sequence.
Gear: Canon R1 + Canon 200–800mm
Location: Pantanal, Brazil
