The Lord of the Patagonian Steppe

The great south, there, at the very bottom of the American continent, a land that constitutes the Patagonian myth, I suggest you discover its panorama and its landscapes, as well as its people, its culture… in short, its singularity in today’s world, during a tailor-made stay in Argentina or Chile. These vast natural spaces, stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast, all the while bordering the Andes mountain range, make Patagonia a magnificent sanctuary; I have been there many times already and the dazzlement is always the same.

In the far south, there are vast expanses as far as the eye can see, arid steppe landscapes with thousands of guanacos, “choiques” or rheas (small ostriches) that can be observed, Patagonian foxes, condors that eat the carcasses of dead guanacos… In the distance, roads and tracks skirt the massifs of the Andes mountain range, which have made this region famous throughout the world, a region that lends itself wonderfully to photo safaris.

Where can you see the Puma?

Chileans often say: “Argentines have Fitz Roy, we have Torres del Paine…”, which I would translate as: “You’ll see what you have never seen before…”. It’s true that, having never had the chance to see one in Argentina, I was hoping, in the vicinity of Torres del Paine National Park, to “see what I had not seen” and finally cross paths with the Puma…

Present throughout the American continent, from north to south, the Puma attracts all lovers of fauna and wildlife. Being able to observe it or even see it furtively is often a dream for passionate photographers. Although located at the top of the food chain, it’s a fearful animal and it’s very rare to come across it. With exceptional eyesight, a very fine sense of smell and very keen hearing, it will surely have already smelled and observed you without you even realizing it.

Like all felines, the Puma masters the art of camouflage, moves silently and always in harmony with the elements. Its only danger is Man, because the Puma is not always welcome, especially in large estancias where hundreds of sheep, even thousands, are there, which are potential prey for the Puma. Also, at the time of writing, the Puma is protected in Chile but not in Argentina, and the mountain lion knows this, so it hides, generally moving at dusk, or at dawn.

The Puma’s kingdom is vast, very vast. Large, arid and hilly plains represent its favorite playground. But the Puma can venture into the forests, very rarely approaching habitations when it’s hungry, it has even been seen swimming across bodies of water.

A photo safari dedicated to the Lord of the Patagonian steppe

Meeting this feline is possible in Patagonia, but the rules are “simple” and always the same: when you come across a wild animal that is located at the top of the food chain, you must not appear as potential prey for it. You must therefore avoid running away for example, turning your back on it, you must try to appear bigger, stronger, more confident than it. Dodge it slowly and make a (large) detour to avoid a potential attack.

I want to dedicate these photos to all those who, known or not, have worked and given their time to transmit their knowledge, defended the wild animal world, especially felines. Thank all those who have worked to defend these great spaces, those who live there and who every day value the importance of this great territory, its fauna and flora.

Simply thank nature for what it’s, and all the internal evolution that I have experienced thanks to it. Thank all the fauna and the wild world that inhabits it and those who seek to defend them. To finish, a thought for the world of estancias and gauchos who, more than anyone else, often live in a solitary way, in contact with the elements, with these animals, and in rather harsh conditions.

For you, for them, for this last refuge that is Patagonia, my enthusiasm and my vocation continue more than ever.