The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on Earth, covering an area about 15% larger than the state of Florida. Trans-Pantaneira provides road access to the Pantanal’s northern section and serves many ranches as well as tourists. The economy and landscape of the Pantanal is discussed, followed by a photo chronicle of the trip focusing on the wildlife and landscape observed. Learn about the unique mammal and reptile species of this region as well as the abundant waterbird species and other conspicuous avian species and a few not-so-conspicuous species.

Instructor: Dr. Larry Ramsey is a professor emeritus of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State, where he pursued research in solar-like activity on stars, stellar seismology, and astronomical instrumentation, authoring or co-authoring more than 300 publications. He also served from 2003–2011 as department head of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Dr. Ramsey and his wife, Mary, both enjoy the outdoors and spend their leisure time bird-watching and on nature travel. They have traveled in Africa and extensively in South America since 1986. On their property near Spring Mills, they manage a bluebird house trail of about 40 houses and manage their landscape to benefit wildlife as best they can.