FULL DAY IN IGUAZU FALLS - SATURDAY

We met Hector, our guide, at 9 this morning.  Unfortunately, the rain still hadn't stopped, but it was a lot less than last night.  We started our first hike on the upper trail.  On this trail you can get good side views of the falls and very eerie edge-over views.  The rain and temperature of the water created these very Japanese/Chinese-like misty photos.  Here's one of my favorites below:

Our hats and coats were necessary, it was raining and about 55° F.  Welcome to the sub-tropics.  It was 80° last week - we missed that one.

I saw this fellow flying along - fortunately he stopped for a photo.

Another misty-moody falls shot.  The number of waterfalls here is unbelievable.  

The upper trail is moderately short. 

We took a little train that takes you to a pathway that goes across the sections of different rivers that end in falls that create Iguazu.  Seemingly quiet, there are lots of little islets and rocks.  Not far away are the amazing drop offs.

I spotted this little bird and couldn't resist.  He was all by himself just sitting in the middle of a huge section of river about to barrel over the falls.

The highlight of this walkway is that it ends at Devil's Throat - the largest of the falls.  Charlie and I are close to Devil's Falls, but not quite there yet.

This chain of waterfalls is on the way to Devil's Throat.

Me at Devil's Throat.

Us at Devil's Throat

Charlie at Devil's Throat.  

The problem with fuller Devil's Throat photos is that 1.) it was filled with so much mist you couldn't see much and 2.) it was filled with tourists knocking each other over for better photos so the few below are the ones we like the best - full of us of course.

 We then began the lower trail after another train ride.

The nifty bird above is called a Plush Crested Jay.  They are quite common here - and I think I'm in love

Coaties are easy to see around eating places.  We didn't stop to eat, but the Coaties were out in force.

A local woodpecker.

The reason I've posted this picture is the photo of the boat.  More about that to come.

A photo of a bank of falls from the lower trail.

And we thought we were getting wet - 

We really didn't know how wet we could get

Double sets of double falls.

At the end of the lower trail we got into a boat with a lot of others.  We needed 1.) a life jacket 2.) rubber bags to hold our gear 3.) "rain proof jackets" - we failed at that one 4.) at the advice of Hector - another rubber bags to hold our shoes and socks.  Very smart move.  We got into the boat with us and a load of young adults (they thought this was great fun) - I can hardly stand the pool before the end of the summer.  They screamed, they cheered - we all got drenched as the boat ran into and out of the falls.  At one point a wave swooped over  us - I was beyond drenched.  See photo below.  

Racing back up 170 steps and about a 500 meter trail in sopping wet clothes, I did stop of a photo of a Southern Lapwing below. I missed the aguti though, sigh.

We got back to the hotel, had a bite to eat.  After drying our clothes - a la hair dryer - we went back out in the late afternoon for a stroll.  We took the upper trail again.  Everything closes by 6 - so here we are ending our evening in the hotel bar writing this to you with free wifi.

Late afternoon sun on Brazil

South American Guinea Pigs - they're all over the place.  Charlie suggested this fellow should be happy he wasn't born a few countries to the north where he'd be dinner.

Sun on the evening mist!