One with nature: the Lowland tapir!

During one of my birding trips we stumbled upon a Lowland tapir. Tapirs are huge mammals weighing at least 500 pounds. You would think that it is impossible for them to stay under the radar, but they proved me wrong.

It was a sunny and hot day. Just between some rocks close to the shore we spotted a strange looking rock. But it appears to be a Lowland tapir seeking for some coolness in the water. I had to look twice to make sure that my eyes weren't deceiving me. 

I took several pictures were you can see how a 'rock' turned into a moving Lowland tapir. 

This is how we spotted the tapir: head under water for several seconds. For the untrained eye it just looks like a rock. There were no movements near the 'rock'.

It sure can get away with this spectacular camouflage.

And then there was movement … an ear appeared above the surface.

Bumblebees were surrounding the tapir and it moved with its ears to chase them away.

Slowly it raised its nose up the surface.

And it started to inspect its surroundings. We were based on a safe distance while watching this wonderful creature.

I zoomed in with my camera lens to get a closer look. 

Since it was a hot day it lowered its head several times under the water.

Here you can see how it was flipping one ear to get rid of the bumblebees. Just like rowing a boat.

Later on it went ashore and decided to continue the relaxing period on land. Usually they run into the nearest dense vegetation, when alarmed. But this one just stayed for quite a period of time. Even when we were leaving the scenery, it didn't bother to do the same.


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