Agoutis

The Republic Square, also known as Campo de Santana, is situated in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The name of the square is a reference to the fact be located where there was the Proclamation of the Republic of Brazil in 1889.

In area, it is possible to find several species of animals living in freedom, such as agoutis,guinea fowl, cats, ducks and peacocks.

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Camera Critters

Opening of Christmas Tree at Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon

This year, the largest floating Christmas tree in the world features a unique floating gifts at its base, that resemble the gatherings on Christmas Eve. Christmas Tree once again arrives at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon as a gift for the Brazilian family, toasting the joy of Christmas with a moving and huge light, fireworks and magical display.

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Our World Tuesday

Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon beaches

In this picture are shown three famous beaches of the city of Rio de Janeiro: Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon.

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Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar.

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Skywatch Friday

Guanabara Bay

Guanabara Bay  is an oceanic bay located in southeastern Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro. On its western shore lies the city of Rio de Janeiro, and on its eastern shore the cities of Niterói and São Gonçalo. Four other municipalities surround the bay's shores. Guanabara Bay is the second largest bay in area in Brazil. Its 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) wide mouth is flanked at the eastern tip by the Pico do Papagaio (Parrot's Peak) and the western tip by Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf).

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Watery Wednesday

Two Brothers Hill in the background

One of the loveliest postcards of Rio de Janeiro, the Dois Irmãos Mountain in the South Zone of Rio should not be admired from a distance only. Around it, where there is already a belvedere - the Sétimo Céu (Seventh Heaven) giving a sweeping panorama of Ipanema, Leblon and São Conrado beaches as well as of Arpoador and of the Christ the Redeemer mountain.

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Our World Tuesday

Lilies in Flamengo's Park

Aterro do Flamengo has 1.2 km2 and it was opened in 1964 and protected by the historical patrimony in 1965. Inside Aterro do Flamengo there is an area called Parque do Flamengo (Flamengo´s Park). It has a great variety of trees and it’s a big area with soccer fields, tennis courts , basketball courts , bike way, “children’s city”, suspended gardens , barbecue house and even the Beach.

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Today's Flowers and Macro Monday

Quinze de Novembro Square

The Quinze de Novembro Square was originally a morass of mangrove swamps where ships and boats boarded. 

As part of the nation's heritage, it was here that the history of Rio de Janeiro began. After recent modernization and reurbanization projects undertaken by the City Council, bars, restaurants, open-air fairs, museums and colorful crowds all endow this square with a special charm.

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Palm trees

Last winter I made this photo on Red Beach, south of Rio de Janeiro. The blue sky was amazing.

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Skywatch Friday

Monument in Red Beach

A beautiful beach, with steeply sloped sands, Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) conquers its tourists with its exotic, luxuriant and strange glamour.

Sorounded by coconut and bamboo trees, this place is just another charming oasis of peace and calm in Rio de Janeiro, blessed with cacti, orchids, bromeliads and grassy bushes.

It is a military area where there is a monument with this beautiful lake.

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Weekend Reflections

Facade of Glória Church with Corcovado in the background

Besides its beautiful location and popularity as a worshipping place, the Gloria Church played an important role in the imperial period of Brazil, starting with the arrival of D. João VI in 1808. The layout was innovative for the time, and consists of two interwined octagonal prisms, giving the church an almost round, singular appearance. It has only one tower, below which is a kind of porch, also having a admirable limestone doorway. 

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Our World Tuesday

Flower of the lily pad

Photo made ​​in one of the lakes of the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro.

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Today's Flowers and Macro Monday

Water fountain

A Water Fountain at the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro. There are many of them scattered throughout the park.

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Statue of St. Sebastian

Statue of St. Sebastian in the neighborhood of Gloria, south of Rio

In the middle of Russell Square, showing the importance of this place, which was the scene of the battle that resulted in the expulsion of French from Rio de Janeiro on January 20, 1567, in which Estacio de Sa was injured, there is the Monument to Saint Sebastian, patron of the City of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. Every year on January 20, the procession of San Sebastian coming out of the Church of St. Sebastian of the Capuchin Friars in Tijuca ending on statue, which is interpreted Auto life of the saint.

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Skywatch Friday

Japanese Garden

A true ecological sanctuary. This would be a fair definition of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens, one of the ten most important in the world. Besides housing the rarest species of plants from the flora of Brazil and other countries, it is also an excellent leisure option for children and adults and a delight for those who wish to contemplate nature. 

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Weekend Reflections

Sugar Loaf cable car

Considered to be one of the safest in the world by international agencies of passenger cable cars, it has never had an accident with casualties. The current lines have safety devices with alarm at all points.

Every morning, before receiving the first tourists, the cable cars have a trial run. The route is entirely programmed by electronic equipment that checks 47 safety items. 

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Outdoor Wednesday

Arpoador Beach

One more picture of Arpoador Beach made ​​on a spring morning in Rio de Janeiro.

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Our World Tuesday and Watery Wednesday

Candelária Church

The impressive façade of the Candelária Church rises tranquilly from the bustling financial center of Rio downtown, in the heart of an area rich in cultural attractions. Built in the XVIII Century, its ground-plan is designed in the shape of a Latin cross; lined with marble, its masonry facades feature elaborate bronze doors, with its entire history painted on the walls. This is one of the loveliest churches in Rio de Janeiro

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Reflections in the lake

The Botanical Garden has an important research institute, which develops a wide range of botanical studies in Brazil. The institute has taxonomists who specialize in the identification and conservation of the neotropical flora. The gardens house collections that include bromeliads, orchids, carnivorous plants, and cacti.These include Brazil’s largest botanical library and collections of dried fruits, rare Brazilian plants, and many photographs.

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Weekend Reflections

Leme Beach

Leme and Copacabana share the same stretch of Brazilian beach, however the two beaches are very different. Leme tends to be tamer than Copacabana and has more of a family orientated atmosphere. Many young families relax here while their kids play in the sand and surf. 
Leme is located towards the north side of Copacabana beach. It's the closest beach to Sugar Loaf Mountain and offers fantastic views of the cable cars as they make their way up and down the mountain. 

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Skywatch Friday and Scenic Sunday

Marina da Glória

In the downtown area, between Santos Dumont airport and the World War II Monument in Brigadier Eduardo Gomes Park – Aterro da Glória, the Marina serves sportsmen and visitors alike. Whoever observes it from a distance, has the impression of admiring a painting, Nature’s work of art. It occupies a 105,000 square-meter area, has a floating dock and a main dock, as well as a supporting infrastructure for tourist and sports vessels, in addition to restaurants and private parking.

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