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Home & Tours > Guest Galleries > In Your Eyes – Interview with KC Jain – Brazil’s Pantanal, Jaguars & so much more 2023

In Your Eyes – Interview with KC Jain – Brazil’s Pantanal, Jaguars & so much more 2023

31st January 2024

We are delighted to showcase some of one of our regulars KC Jain’s photos from our 2023 Brazil’s Pantanal tour. We love KC’s enthusiasm for photography, and life in general, and we hope you enjoy his images.

A Jaguar (his name is Bororo) leaves the river upstream from Porto Jofre. Why Wild Images loves this – Bororo was one of the twins, a male coalition that we have photographed on our previous tours. His brother went missing during the 2020 pandemic lockdown fires and now he operates alone. He is a particularly magnificent beast and KC has captured an impression of his power perfectly here (image by K C Jain)

A Jaguar (his name is Bororo) leaves the river upstream from Porto Jofre. Why Wild Images loves this – Bororo was one of the twins, a male coalition that we have photographed on our previous tours. His brother went missing during the 2020 pandemic lockdown fires and now he operates alone. He is a particularly magnificent beast and KC has captured an impression of his power perfectly here (image by K C Jain)

Tell us a little more about your photography journey.  How long have you been taking photos?

I picked up a point and shoot camera just over a dozen years ago and was excited by what I saw, even in those fuzzy images. Since then, I have been picking up bits and pieces on the way without any formal training classes.

Savanna Hawk. Why Wild Images loves this – KC worked on lining subjects up with interesting backgrounds on this tour and managed to put this Savanna Hawk in front of the blossoms of a beautiful Pink Ipe tree (image by K C Jain)

Savanna Hawk. Why Wild Images loves this – KC worked on lining subjects up with interesting backgrounds on this tour and managed to put this Savanna Hawk in front of the blossoms of a beautiful Pink Ipe tree (image by K C Jain)

What are you passionate about besides photography?  What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy doing marathons (have done more than 50 so far, including the World Marathon Majors), trekking (especially in the Himalayas; have trekked up to 6000 meters), travelling and doing neurosurgery. I enjoy creating combinations with photography, travelling, marathons and trekking.

The evil eye of a Yellow Anaconda – apex predator of the riverbank. Why Wild Images loves this – We toiled to see anaconda this year but like number seven buses two came along at once. Both were far from co-operative, deep in tangled vegetation, but owing some great determination KC managed to do something nice with a very limited opportunity (image by K C Jain)

The evil eye of a Yellow Anaconda – apex predator of the riverbank. Why Wild Images loves this – We toiled to see anaconda this year but like number seven buses two came along at once. Both were far from co-operative, deep in tangled vegetation, but owing some great determination KC managed to do something nice with a very limited opportunity (image by K C Jain)

What drew you to visit the Pantanal?

Definitely the Jaguar. Also, I had never been to mainland South America. This was a good opportunity to do both.

Jabiru nest. Why Wild Images loves this – A nice simple portrait of a Jabiru nest. The folks at Santa Tereza have done the hard work for us in this case, building an eye level tower next to the Jabiru’s nest but KC has shot them in some nice low-angle light just after sunrise (image by K C Jain)

Jabiru nest. Why Wild Images loves this – A nice simple portrait of a Jabiru nest. The folks at Santa Tereza have done the hard work for us in this case, building an eye level tower next to the Jabiru’s nest but KC has shot them in some nice low-angle light just after sunrise (image by K C Jain)

What camera gear did you use on your tour?

I used a Canon R5 and most of the time combined it with the RF100-500mm lens. My other body was a Canon R7 used with the 800mm f11 lens.

Ringed Kingfisher. Why Wild Images loves this – You want action shot skills? KC has got them. A far from easy capture of a Ringed Kingfisher at Santa Tereza (image by K C Jain)

Ringed Kingfisher. Why Wild Images loves this – You want action shot skills? KC has got them. A far from easy capture of a Ringed Kingfisher at Santa Tereza (image by K C Jain)

What were your first impressions of the Pantanal for photography?

Thoroughly impressed and enjoyed it!! Everything was new to me, so wherever I pointed my camera, it was my first!

Bare-faced Curassow (female). Why Wild Images loves this – Curassows were not always as showy or in as nice light as this, and KC has captured its character nicely here (image by K C Jain)

Bare-faced Curassow (female). Why Wild Images loves this – Curassows were not always as showy or in as nice light as this, and KC has captured its character nicely here (image by K C Jain)

What surprised you about your trip there?

The sightings and the landscapes were absolutely amazing! Also, the accommodation, food and hospitality even in remote places was awesome. Add to this the willingness of the locals and the guides to go that extra yard to make it a memorable trip for you was touching.

The gaudy Toco Toucan. Why Wild Images loves this – For an outrageously colourful bird, Toco Toucan is not quite as extrovert as you might think. Good, close photo opportunities are few and KC managed to make the most of this brief encounter (image by K C Jain)

The gaudy Toco Toucan. Why Wild Images loves this – For an outrageously colourful bird, Toco Toucan is not quite as extrovert as you might think. Good, close photo opportunities are few and KC managed to make the most of this brief encounter (image by K C Jain)

What were your frustrations on your trip?

Not much really. Thanks to a slight tweak in the itinerary of the last day and a half, I got to see the Giant Anteater, Armadillo and other birds we had not seen so far on the trip. I just wish that the rest of the group had come along with me to equally benefit.

Black Skimmer low over the water. Why Wild Images loves this – A nice sharp skimmer image, not quite skimming but very nice nevertheless. They did not present themselves well, despite us hanging around them for a long time but KC managed something! (image by K C Jain)

Black Skimmer low over the water. Why Wild Images loves this – A nice sharp skimmer image, not quite skimming but very nice nevertheless. They did not present themselves well, despite us hanging around them for a long time but KC managed something! (image by K C Jain)

Of all the animals you have photographed, do you have a favorite destination you prefer to photograph?

I have enjoyed my journey so far and keep on wishing that hopefully my ‘best’ destination is yet to come! I thoroughly enjoyed my close encounters with the Snow Leopards and the Jaguars this year, both with Wild Images.

Chaco Chachalaca. Why Wild Images loves this – Another nice portrait of a bird that looks better than it sounds, a bit like an out-of-tune Metallica cover (image by K C Jain)

Chaco Chachalaca. Why Wild Images loves this – Another nice portrait of a bird that looks better than it sounds, a bit like an out-of-tune Metallica cover (image by K C Jain)

Aside from the photography, what other aspects of the tour did you enjoy?

I enjoy interacting with my fellow travellers and the locals, both of which were absolutely enriching and stimulating. And if you have excellent accommodation, superb cuisine, fun banter and laughter to go with it ………what more could one ask for?

A beautiful Capped Heron. Why Wild Images loves this – A nice portrait of a lovely bird that looks like it’s made from icing sugar (image by K C Jain)

A beautiful Capped Heron. Why Wild Images loves this – A nice portrait of a lovely bird that looks like it’s made from icing sugar (image by K C Jain)

What have you learned from your tour of the Pantanal?

From a photographic point of view, I learnt about being prepared, anticipating movements, and executing the shots. I also learnt about aligning natural objects and phenomena (tree flowers, dead wood, rainbow, clouds etc) with your subject.

Giant Anteater. Why Wild Images loves this – KC showed his determination again with this one. Faced with a vote against trying for it again, despite Mike’s attempts at persuasion, the group had to stay put on the river, so we arranged for KC to go on his own anyway and thanks to our local guide Bianca - bingo! (image by K C Jain)

Giant Anteater. Why Wild Images loves this – KC showed his determination again with this one. Faced with a vote against trying for it again, despite Mike’s attempts at persuasion, the group had to stay put on the river, so we arranged for KC to go on his own anyway and thanks to our local guide Bianca – bingo! (image by K C Jain)

Do you have any advice for photographers visiting the Pantanal?

One major advice I would like to give is to ……… Let your tour mentor from Wild Images take a call on what is best for you, even if it is tweaking the tour a bit. It will be only for your good.

Cocoi Heron in flight. Why Wild Images loves this – Cocoi Herons can be tempted with fish too! But you have to be quick to capture the image as KC managed here! (image by K C Jain)

Cocoi Heron in flight. Why Wild Images loves this – Cocoi Herons can be tempted with fish too! But you have to be quick to capture the image as KC managed here! (image by K C Jain)

Are there any images that are particularly special to you?

I especially liked the one where the jaguar killed a capybara and was dragging it up the riverbank. Also the one where she leaps down on a caiman and then takes it up the steep slope and then there is the one where the jaguar is drinking from the river.

A young male Jaguar (his name is Krishna) hauls its Capybara prey up the riverbank. Why Wild Images loves this – A caiman kill is rare enough (many folks seem to manage to see one these days) but to photograph a Capybara kill is much rarer! KC has managed to capture the look in the Jaguar’s eye as well, as it struggles to drag the dead weight of the Capybara up the slippery riverbank. It took some time, so we were eventually able to get in a good position to capture it (image by K C Jain)

A young male Jaguar (his name is Krishna) hauls its Capybara prey up the riverbank. Why Wild Images loves this – A caiman kill is rare enough (many folks seem to manage to see one these days) but to photograph a Capybara kill is much rarer! KC has managed to capture the look in the Jaguar’s eye as well, as it struggles to drag the dead weight of the Capybara up the slippery riverbank. It took some time, so we were eventually able to get in a good position to capture it (image by K C Jain)

Why did you enjoy these images so much?

In two of those images the jaguar was making eye contact with the camera and the one with the leap….. well, it was a pure thrill!! The hair on the back of the neck was raised and an exciting tingle ran down my spine!

A Jaguar (her name is Guaraci) drinks from the riverbank. Why Wild Images loves this – KC Jain has captured some interesting behavior here. When jaguars make a kill they usually eat it in private away from the tourists on the riverbank but every now and again they need to drink to aid their digestion of such a vast quantity of meat, which is what Guaraci is doing here. She must have been almost full as she was on the move again the following day. We love how KC has cut off her back end for this composition, we are often obsessed with having every bit of an animal in the frame (image by K C Jain)

A Jaguar (her name is Guaraci) drinks from the riverbank. Why Wild Images loves this – KC Jain has captured some interesting behavior here. When jaguars make a kill they usually eat it in private away from the tourists on the riverbank but every now and again they need to drink to aid their digestion of such a vast quantity of meat, which is what Guaraci is doing here. She must have been almost full as she was on the move again the following day. We love how KC has cut off her back end for this composition, we are often obsessed with having every bit of an animal in the frame (image by K C Jain)

Would you return to the Pantanal for photography?

I wish!!! If the tour is focussed on rest of the stuff, I didn’t do on this one, I actually might. A non-jaguar focused tour might be something different (OK, OK. Two days for the jaguar) There are lots of birds and other mammals I would like to click too!

KC enjoying a morning coffee on the river while searching for Jaguars (image by Mike Watson)

KC enjoying a morning coffee on the river while searching for Jaguars (image by Mike Watson)