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My first encounter with this male Jaguar (Panthera onca) known as Merlin (foreground) and a female known as Pantaneira (behind) on a sandy area above the river, Northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil: Image 1 of a sequence of 29
Merlin stands up and walks across directly in front of Pantaneira, whose face is visible between his legs. Image 2 of 29; elapsed time 1 minute
After 26 minutes with no activity, Merlin approaches Pantaneira: snarling and sparring are the result. Image 3 of 29; elapsed time 27mins
Merlin lies down on the riverbank, but still looking towards Pantaneira. Image 6 of 29; elapsed time 28mins
Seven minutes later Merlin approaches Pantaneira with due caution. Image 8 of 29; elapsed time 36mins
Pantaneira does not immediately lash out at him, so perhaps Merlin's luck is in! Image 9 of 29; elapsed time 36mins
But Pantaneira does not seem very receptive either, so Merlin still needs to tread very carefully. Image 10 of 29; elapsed time 36mins
... but where he can lie down and still keep an eye on the tourist boats. Image 13 of 29; elapsed time 41mins
... and, more importantly, on Pantaneira too, especially when something attracts his attention. Image 14 of 29; elapsed time 45mins
Merlin moves to lie relatively close to, and behind, Pantaneira (focus is on Pantaneira). Image 15 of 29; elapsed time 54mins
After a few minutes Pantaneira moves away and goes to lie by the river exactly where Merlin was lying before. Image 16 of 29; elapsed time 1h 02mins
Pantaneira remains there for fifty minutes, resting, scratching... Image 17 of 29; elapsed time 1h 53mins
Then Pantaneira stretches and moves down to the water to drink. Image 19 of 29; elapsed time 1h 54mins
Merlin comes to meet Pantaneira as she leaves the water's edge. Note how huge he is compared with her. Image 21 of 29; elapsed time 1h 54mins
Merlin is still somewhat distracted by the five tourist boats (containing 28 people). Image 24 of 29; elapsed time 1h 55mins
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