Patagonia - Page 4

Wildlife

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	Adult condor - It is both unnerving and awe inspiring to have ten birds of this size circling overhead while you're struggling to climb a steep slope. At one point, I decided to play "vulture tag" - play dead and watch the birds circle closer. I quickly decided that wasn't such a good idea. These birds are large enough to chase a puma off its kill in a matter of minutes.
	Flamingos - Typically considered a tropical animal, these birds spend summer near the south pole. Here they sit in the frigid waters of Lago Argentina. Photo by Mike Shultz.
	Juvenile condor - Young Andean condors have yet to attain the distinctive white collar of their adult counterparts, but are still just as large.
	Ñandu - The lesser rhea, locally known as the ñandu, is a miniature ostrich which roams the pampas east of he Andes. Basically puma food.
	Puma - Pumas are rarely seen, but evidence of their existence abounds. Perhaps this particular animal was stalking us....
	Ammonite - To be fair, I've included a photo of a critter that died about 80 million years ago when much of Patagonia was under deep marine waters. This ammonite, originally circular, has been sheared into a perfect strain ellipse.