One of the first things (well aside from the birds) that you will notice in Panama is the incredible array of Butterflies. In the heat of the day (and I am talking serious heat and humidity at the Tower) during the siesta break, I wandered around sampling the butterflies as they sampled the nectar. I would like to show you a few of them. Most of them I do not know the names of, but they are all fabulous.
Banded Peacock
Dimorphic Skipper
This one is a skipper and maybe a FrostedFlasher
Domi and I found this wicked looking caterpillar on a bridge railing at the start of Plantation Road. I wouldn’t touch it if you paid me.
Heliconius
Orange-washed Sister
Either Ziba Scrub-Hairstreak or Confusing Scrub-Hairstreak
All of these were taken at the Canopy Tower. But let me leave you with the Blue Morpho that floats everywhere at the Lodge. I loved that they came to the feeders to eat the bananas. They rest with their wings closed. It was impossible for me to take a good shot of one flying. They are the most beautiful blue.
Special thanks to Kim Garwood for helping ID the butterflies and to Patrick Belardo for suggesting her website.
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Reading this post was a true joy, because I had the pleasure of meeting Beverly in Panama…and learned a lot about butterflies from her (and a bit about birds as well). That caterpillar is simply insane!
That’s one crazy cat. Try this site for some help: http://www.neotropicalbutterflies.com
Patrick, thanks for the website. Kim got back to me with IDs.
Lovely photos, as usual!
Beverly, Amazing pictures you take! Isn’t Panama
wonderful?!! I was born there!! Dd
Thanks for the beautiful pictures. I collect these Fab Darlings, they are so lovely.