We were up bright and early to drive the short distance from town to the gates of the Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park.  I had heard that birding groups can get in early, usually with pre-arrangement.  I had been unsuccessful trying to find a guide but was hoping to find one at the park entrance.  No such luck, all that was there was a ticket booth and a guard that wouldn’t let us in even at the normal time!

There was a sign that said something about the park being closed om 14, 15, 16 Sept but we were there on the 17th so I wasn’t too concerned even if we had to wait for the official opening hours.

I had been told that the “Veu de noiva” was the best place to see Blue-winged (Illigers) Macaws and to get there as early as possible.  But all we could do was stand behind the boom gate and hope the birds would come to us.

And they did!  They flew in a small flock and perched in a tree in the car park!  I tentatively went closer and closer taking photos with each step.

Meanwhile, back at the gate, the dodgy guard taped up a new sign.  He wasn’t going to let us in, even after we showed our Australian passports pleading at how far we’d come.

But the birds of the park were more sympathetic and came to the car park since we couldn’t go to them. 

The Blue-winged Macaws hung around for quite a while eating those nuts.

Some Peach-fronted Parakeets also showed up for breakfast!

After enjoying our feathered friends in the car park, we headed back to Cuiaba and returned the rental car.  I was a bit worried that Hertz would call us out on the car being dirty, but there were no problems.  Then we got a taxi to the bus station to get the bus to Alta Floresta.