Day 5 Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Monday, March 23rd -- Our day at the Falls with lots of natural history.  After another early start (7:15 am) we drove to the Argentinian side of the Iguazu River and Park for a 10 km ramble around various trails (actually metal, elevated-walkways and paved paths) interspersed with slow train rides that took us to trailheads.  The park was busy and the day was going to be hot, so we appreciated the early start.

This side of the park has several trails set above the water just before it cascades over the edge of the rocks.  Consequently, there is a much different vibe to the waterfall system.  One of these trails goes out the very edge of the Devil's Throat, which is a drenching experience.  We also walked the Lower Circuit, which is on the lower shelf and provides views east to the upper tier of waterfalls, and the Upper Circuit which skims across the tops of the waterfalls.  There really is not much need for more text -- let's get to the photos.

A sign never before seen....

The narrow-gauge train that takes tourists to various stations near trailheads.

Ditto.

The trailhead out to Garganta del Diablo or the Devil's Throat.

The trail is a level,  3-meter high, steel walkway which replaced an earlier 5-meter high one that was destroyed by floods.  According to Dimitri, this current one  washed out in 2022 and was rebuilt using the same piers and many of the walkway grated sections (but with stronger tie-downs). 

Black Vultures sitting on a portion of the old walkway railing.

Water-carved basaltic rock -- ancient art?

A remanent of the old 5-meter high walkway

The Devil's Throat, the narrowest crevice in the waterfall system.

Looking downstream, the Brazilian side is on the right through the mist and yesterday's platform at the end of the trail is below the two waterfalls on the right (I am not sure it is visible).

The Diabolo gorge platform and tourists getting wet.  The white dots in the photo are water on the camera lens.

The map of the Argentinian side.

After the walk out to Devil's Throat, we rode the train partway back and then walked the Lower Circuit (yellow loop on the map).

Classic view of Devil's Throat.

The "curtain" of lesser falls that we walked along on the Upper Circuit.

According to Dimitri, this is the second "largest" in the Park, probably because of the water quantity.  The fall is creating a new gorge.  This is where tourist boats motor up to "drown" tourists.

Two Sisters Waterfall, named after two sisters who bathed here.

The Blue trail on the map.

Note the "curtain" of falls from the upper edge.

The viewpoint where we ended, with Argentine flag.

Record photo.

Ditto.

Walkway over the upper river.

Now for the flora and fauna -- not necessarily up close and personal.  This is the natural history part of the blog.

Belted Kingfisher

Redbreast Tilapia in the calm waters above the falls.

A pair of plush-crested jays on a small island crossed by the pathway.

Black vulture

Air plant

Smooth Johnnyberry 

Butterfly ginger Lily - very fragrant

Linda's Emperor butterfly

Channel Apple Snail about 3 inches wide - invasive

Suckermouth Catfish in a pool just above one of the big falls  (algae eaters)

   

White Blanket Lichen signifying clean air;    Christmas Lichen - note the red coloration.

Blue-frosted Banner Butterfly sitting on our guide, Dmitri (blue dots on the trailing edge of the wings)

Slug Moth sniffing my shoe

Justicia brasiliana

Endangered Iguazu Catfish (about 3 feet long) above the falls

Western collared spiny lizard (about 10 inches)

Small-eyed Sailor, very cute

Judaea tree, source of hearts of palm and Acai berries.

Narrow Stingless Bees and their honey trove, tiny & precious.

White layer of crystal rock between layers of basalt.

Dimitri and two satisfied customers.  He was a great guide who did not overwhelm us with narrative, pushed us along expeditiously, and was a strong proponent of drinking plenty of water to sustain us through the heat and exercise.

Back at the hotel...

A Capuchin Monkey seen from our hotel balcony at dusk.

An unidentified bird, part of a troop that was sounding the alarm about the monkeys' arrival in their neighborhood.  

We enjoyed the pool between thunderstorms, followed by dinner at the Tiki Bar.