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White Peacock
Anartia jatrophae
4th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This was photographed in the grounds of our hotel on our first full day in Costa Rica, making it one of the first "non-European" butterflies that I had ever seen in the wild. They seemed to hang around the bushier, damper parts of the hotel grounds. Quite stunning, and well worth the ten hour flight to see beauties such as this! It is a fairly common species across much of the Americas.
4th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This was photographed in the grounds of our hotel on our first full day in Costa Rica, making it one of the first "non-European" butterflies that I had ever seen in the wild. They seemed to hang around the bushier, damper parts of the hotel grounds. Quite stunning, and well worth the ten hour flight to see beauties such as this! It is a fairly common species across much of the Americas.
Common Morpho
Morpho helenor
7th December 2018. Bijagua. Alajuela.
I have seen plenty of these in tropical butterfly houses in the UK, but seeing them in the wild is just something else! I shall never forget the sight of the first one that we saw. It was huge, flying with a characteristic slow, floppy wingbeat through the tropical forest not far from our hotel. This particular one was photographed further east, close to the continental divide, in tropical rainforest. Unreal!
7th December 2018. Bijagua. Alajuela.
I have seen plenty of these in tropical butterfly houses in the UK, but seeing them in the wild is just something else! I shall never forget the sight of the first one that we saw. It was huge, flying with a characteristic slow, floppy wingbeat through the tropical forest not far from our hotel. This particular one was photographed further east, close to the continental divide, in tropical rainforest. Unreal!
Mexican Fritillary
Euptoieta hegesia
6th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This fritillary is fast-flying and difficult to get close to. I was fortunate to find the lovely fresh individual here at rest, warming up after a rain shower. We saw several on the wing around the forest edges and in clearings at low altitude, not far from the coast. Very orange in flight, most of the examples were worn and had some wing damage, making this image all the more satisfying to capture! Widespread across central America and the West Indies.
6th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This fritillary is fast-flying and difficult to get close to. I was fortunate to find the lovely fresh individual here at rest, warming up after a rain shower. We saw several on the wing around the forest edges and in clearings at low altitude, not far from the coast. Very orange in flight, most of the examples were worn and had some wing damage, making this image all the more satisfying to capture! Widespread across central America and the West Indies.
Spineless Silverdrop
Epargyreus aspina
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
In a dry, scrubby grassland clearing in the volcanic tropical rainforest, this butterfly lead me a merry dance for quite some time before I managed to get my camera on it. Very fast and erratic on the wing, this one finally stopped at nectar for the briefest on moments. Found across much of central America.
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
In a dry, scrubby grassland clearing in the volcanic tropical rainforest, this butterfly lead me a merry dance for quite some time before I managed to get my camera on it. Very fast and erratic on the wing, this one finally stopped at nectar for the briefest on moments. Found across much of central America.
White-spotted Tanmark
Emesis aurimna
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
This beautifully marked butterfly was one of several rather special species found along a wonderful forest edge habitat. It seemed to like staying in the shade of the ride edge, where it was quite difficult to approach. A darkly coloured upperwing, with the characteristic white-tip, contrasting nicely with a more orangey, latticed underwing. A lovely insect.
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
This beautifully marked butterfly was one of several rather special species found along a wonderful forest edge habitat. It seemed to like staying in the shade of the ride edge, where it was quite difficult to approach. A darkly coloured upperwing, with the characteristic white-tip, contrasting nicely with a more orangey, latticed underwing. A lovely insect.
White-patched Skipper
Chiomara asychis
15th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
In central America, there are more species of skipper butterfly than any other group, by quite some margin. They account for more than a third of the species found in the region. No surprise then that we seemed to find a few new skippers every day during our time in Costa Rica. This one was hanging around a damp water hole on the edge of the forest, close to the beach, in crocodile country. Difficult to photograph, as the water hole was deep in the shade, this was the best I could manage.
15th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
In central America, there are more species of skipper butterfly than any other group, by quite some margin. They account for more than a third of the species found in the region. No surprise then that we seemed to find a few new skippers every day during our time in Costa Rica. This one was hanging around a damp water hole on the edge of the forest, close to the beach, in crocodile country. Difficult to photograph, as the water hole was deep in the shade, this was the best I could manage.
Veined White-Skipper
Heliopetes arsalte
5th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
A very attractive skipper of central and south America, this butterfly was not uncommon in grassy areas bordered by scrub. Quite a delicate skipper, we saw these most days on our walk around the local forests and grassy tracks.
5th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
A very attractive skipper of central and south America, this butterfly was not uncommon in grassy areas bordered by scrub. Quite a delicate skipper, we saw these most days on our walk around the local forests and grassy tracks.
Tropical Buckeye
Junonia genoveva
19th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
There is some confusion over the classification of the "buckeye" butterflies, and there are contradictory names in books and on websites. I believe this to be Junonia genoveva, which is called the "Tropical Buckeye" in the Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America, but many other sources have this species named as the "Mangrove Buckeye". That would be appropriate, as this individual was photographed in a mangrove area. An impressive beast, quite powerful in flight, most of the individuals we saw were tatty, with torn, damaged wings. This one was fresh, and posed nicely for me!
19th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
There is some confusion over the classification of the "buckeye" butterflies, and there are contradictory names in books and on websites. I believe this to be Junonia genoveva, which is called the "Tropical Buckeye" in the Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America, but many other sources have this species named as the "Mangrove Buckeye". That would be appropriate, as this individual was photographed in a mangrove area. An impressive beast, quite powerful in flight, most of the individuals we saw were tatty, with torn, damaged wings. This one was fresh, and posed nicely for me!
Tropical Buckeye
Junonia genoveva
21st November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
The highly attractive upperside of the buckeye, photographed a few moments before an almost too close encounter with a crocodile in the mangroves. See previous image for commentary.
21st November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
The highly attractive upperside of the buckeye, photographed a few moments before an almost too close encounter with a crocodile in the mangroves. See previous image for commentary.
Tropical Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus oileus
10th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This butterfly wouldn't look too out of place in Europe, bearing a passing resemblence to European Pyrgus species. These were common in grassy, flower-rich habitats in several places. The male of the species (seen here) has particularly hairy wings, especially close towards the body. The camera makes them look almost blurred. Quite a territorial and aggressive butterfly. Found through much of central and south America.
10th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This butterfly wouldn't look too out of place in Europe, bearing a passing resemblence to European Pyrgus species. These were common in grassy, flower-rich habitats in several places. The male of the species (seen here) has particularly hairy wings, especially close towards the body. The camera makes them look almost blurred. Quite a territorial and aggressive butterfly. Found through much of central and south America.
Tiger Heliconian
Heliconius ismenius
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
This is one of several Heliconius species that I had the great pleasure of photographing in a sunny clearing deep in the tropical rainforest. The stuff of dreams! Popular in tropical butterfly houses around the world, seeing these beauties in their natural habitat was a very special occasion. A central American butterfly, Costa Rica is a good place to see it. Beautiful in flight!
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
This is one of several Heliconius species that I had the great pleasure of photographing in a sunny clearing deep in the tropical rainforest. The stuff of dreams! Popular in tropical butterfly houses around the world, seeing these beauties in their natural habitat was a very special occasion. A central American butterfly, Costa Rica is a good place to see it. Beautiful in flight!
Theona Checkerspot
Chlosyne theona
21st November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
Although widespread across much of the southern half of the US and into Mexico, this species is close to its southern limit in Costa Rica. It was therefore pleasantly surprising to find it to be common along the edges of forests, roadsides and in more open habitats not far from our hotel. Reminiscent of a small fritillary in behaviour and flight, this very pretty butterfly soon became a personal favourite of mine during our time out there.
21st November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
Although widespread across much of the southern half of the US and into Mexico, this species is close to its southern limit in Costa Rica. It was therefore pleasantly surprising to find it to be common along the edges of forests, roadsides and in more open habitats not far from our hotel. Reminiscent of a small fritillary in behaviour and flight, this very pretty butterfly soon became a personal favourite of mine during our time out there.
Pale-banded Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis
4th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This small butterfly bears more than a passing resemblence to the summer brood of the European Map Butterfly, both in wing pattern and in flight. I saw my first one in amongst damp vegetation in the hotel grounds, but it was not uncommon along nearby forest tracks and grassy, scrubby rides. It flies low to the ground. A quite delightful species, confined to central America.
4th December 2018. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This small butterfly bears more than a passing resemblence to the summer brood of the European Map Butterfly, both in wing pattern and in flight. I saw my first one in amongst damp vegetation in the hotel grounds, but it was not uncommon along nearby forest tracks and grassy, scrubby rides. It flies low to the ground. A quite delightful species, confined to central America.
Marius Hairstreak
Rekoa marius
24th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This beauty had just hatched from its pupa as we were heading back to our room from breakfast one morning. Its wings were still drying when I spotted it. I left my wife guarding it and rushed back to our room to get my camera. So, this is about as fresh a specimen as you could hope to see in the wild! I adore hairstreaks. This species isn't too dissimilar to the Blue-spot Hairstreak that can be found in Europe. It was the only one we saw during our stay out in Costa Rica.
24th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This beauty had just hatched from its pupa as we were heading back to our room from breakfast one morning. Its wings were still drying when I spotted it. I left my wife guarding it and rushed back to our room to get my camera. So, this is about as fresh a specimen as you could hope to see in the wild! I adore hairstreaks. This species isn't too dissimilar to the Blue-spot Hairstreak that can be found in Europe. It was the only one we saw during our stay out in Costa Rica.
Nonpassionate Heliconian
Eueides procula
22nd November 2019.
Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
For me, this was one of several new species of Heliconid found during an amazing day in the volcanic tropical rainforest. I love the yellow antennae, the delicate flight, and the fact that these are "tropical butterfly house" butterflies out in the real world. Unforgettable pleasures, seeing and photographing such creatures.
22nd November 2019.
Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
For me, this was one of several new species of Heliconid found during an amazing day in the volcanic tropical rainforest. I love the yellow antennae, the delicate flight, and the fact that these are "tropical butterfly house" butterflies out in the real world. Unforgettable pleasures, seeing and photographing such creatures.
Malachite
Siproeta stelenes
20th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
A stunning neotropical butterfly, quite common from the south of the USA, across central America and down to Peru. It is quite large, and is often seen flying around forest edges, usually above head height. This one had kindly dropped down for a bit of mud-puddling, making it easy to approach.
20th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
A stunning neotropical butterfly, quite common from the south of the USA, across central America and down to Peru. It is quite large, and is often seen flying around forest edges, usually above head height. This one had kindly dropped down for a bit of mud-puddling, making it easy to approach.
Lavinia White-Skipper
Heliopetes lavinia
21st November 2019. El Jobo.
Another delightful skipper, found locally along scrubby ride edges and more open clearings within the tropical forest, this one posed very nicely for me, showing off its upperside markings. Not particularly common, but widespread from Texas, south across central America to Argentina.
21st November 2019. El Jobo.
Another delightful skipper, found locally along scrubby ride edges and more open clearings within the tropical forest, this one posed very nicely for me, showing off its upperside markings. Not particularly common, but widespread from Texas, south across central America to Argentina.
Isabella's Heliconian
Eueides isabella
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
Yet another breath-taking insect found in the tropical rainforests of Rincon de la Vieja during a fantastic day out. The underside markings and the vivid yellow antennal tips make for a striking sight in forest clearings and ride edges.
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
Yet another breath-taking insect found in the tropical rainforests of Rincon de la Vieja during a fantastic day out. The underside markings and the vivid yellow antennal tips make for a striking sight in forest clearings and ride edges.
Julia Heliconian
Dryas julia
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
This is probably the most iconic of the Heliconid butterflies, a large, narrow-winged, dazzlingly orange insect, found from the south of the USA through central America to Brazil, and also in the West Indies. Fantastic to behold in flight, but not the easiest of species to photograph, this male eventually sat still just long enough for me to focus and shoot this image.
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
This is probably the most iconic of the Heliconid butterflies, a large, narrow-winged, dazzlingly orange insect, found from the south of the USA through central America to Brazil, and also in the West Indies. Fantastic to behold in flight, but not the easiest of species to photograph, this male eventually sat still just long enough for me to focus and shoot this image.
Guatamalan Cracker
Hamadryas guatamalena
19th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
I heard my first Guatamalan Cracker before I saw it. The males of these amazing butterflies make a loud "cracking" sound with their wings as they interact with each other. To my ears it sounds very much like the noise produced during the electrostatic discharge from a Van-der-Graaf generator, a short, sharp, punctuated click or crack. When they aren't flying around making noise, they will often settle on the trunks of trees, always facing downwards. They were fairly often seen in the tropical forest surrounding our hotel, particularly in a damp area close to the beach. Recorded from Mexico south to Costa Rica.
19th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
I heard my first Guatamalan Cracker before I saw it. The males of these amazing butterflies make a loud "cracking" sound with their wings as they interact with each other. To my ears it sounds very much like the noise produced during the electrostatic discharge from a Van-der-Graaf generator, a short, sharp, punctuated click or crack. When they aren't flying around making noise, they will often settle on the trunks of trees, always facing downwards. They were fairly often seen in the tropical forest surrounding our hotel, particularly in a damp area close to the beach. Recorded from Mexico south to Costa Rica.
Glaucous Cracker
Hamadryas glauconome
21st November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This species was flying in the same habitat as the Guatamalan Cracker, but strangely I didn't ever hear a crack from the males of the Glaucous Cracker. Possibly they emit noise at a higher frequency that is beyond the reach of my ageing ears? On one memorable occasion, we found about a dozen Crackers, this species and the Guatamalan, all flying around and interacting amongst the branches of a single tree, with members of this species being noticeably lighter in colour when on the wing. Quite magical!
21st November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
This species was flying in the same habitat as the Guatamalan Cracker, but strangely I didn't ever hear a crack from the males of the Glaucous Cracker. Possibly they emit noise at a higher frequency that is beyond the reach of my ageing ears? On one memorable occasion, we found about a dozen Crackers, this species and the Guatamalan, all flying around and interacting amongst the branches of a single tree, with members of this species being noticeably lighter in colour when on the wing. Quite magical!
False Duskywing
Gesta gesta
20th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
Yet another skipper found along the more open tracks leading through the forests near our hotel, this one is somewhat reminiscent of our own Dingy Skipper in flight and behaviour. The Latin name Gesta gesta is also used for another skipper, the Impostor Duskywing, and some reference sources list False Duskywing as Gesta invisus, or as a subspecies - Gesta gesta invisus. Taxonomy of the butterflies of America is fraught with contradiction and controversy! By all accounts this species (whichever it is) is not particularly common, being locally distributed through central and southern America and the West Indies.
20th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
Yet another skipper found along the more open tracks leading through the forests near our hotel, this one is somewhat reminiscent of our own Dingy Skipper in flight and behaviour. The Latin name Gesta gesta is also used for another skipper, the Impostor Duskywing, and some reference sources list False Duskywing as Gesta invisus, or as a subspecies - Gesta gesta invisus. Taxonomy of the butterflies of America is fraught with contradiction and controversy! By all accounts this species (whichever it is) is not particularly common, being locally distributed through central and southern America and the West Indies.
Four-spotted Sailor
Dynamine postverta
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
I only got to spend about thirty seconds with this insect, but what a memorable thirty seconds! It was on the edge of a clearing in the rainforest, flying in amongst the vegetation and very difficult to approach. I managed this shot of the stunning striped and spotted underside. The upperwing is washed in a blueish-green sheen; you can just see a tiny bit of it here. It is also known as the Mylitta Greenwing. I would have loved to photograph the upperside, but sadly it disappeared shortly after this photo was taken, never to be seen again. It left a huge impression; I have never seen a butterfly quite like it!
22nd November 2019. Rincon de la Vieja. Guanacaste.
I only got to spend about thirty seconds with this insect, but what a memorable thirty seconds! It was on the edge of a clearing in the rainforest, flying in amongst the vegetation and very difficult to approach. I managed this shot of the stunning striped and spotted underside. The upperwing is washed in a blueish-green sheen; you can just see a tiny bit of it here. It is also known as the Mylitta Greenwing. I would have loved to photograph the upperside, but sadly it disappeared shortly after this photo was taken, never to be seen again. It left a huge impression; I have never seen a butterfly quite like it!
Evan's Skipper
Panoquina fusina
19th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
A very angular skipper, this individual appeared in a blur of purplish-black as it zipped around just outside our hotel block early one morning. It took some perseverence to get a photograph, as it was pretty lively. The purple colour is more obvious when the butterfly is in flight. I am glad I managed to capture this image, as it was the only one we saw all holiday. It occurs as a variety of sub-species across central and southern America and the West Indies, and goes by several different names, including the "Purple-washed Skipper".
19th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacaste.
A very angular skipper, this individual appeared in a blur of purplish-black as it zipped around just outside our hotel block early one morning. It took some perseverence to get a photograph, as it was pretty lively. The purple colour is more obvious when the butterfly is in flight. I am glad I managed to capture this image, as it was the only one we saw all holiday. It occurs as a variety of sub-species across central and southern America and the West Indies, and goes by several different names, including the "Purple-washed Skipper".
Elf
Microtia elva
20th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacasta.
This is a delightful, tiny butterfly with a fairly delicate flight, low to the ground. It was a common sight along ride edges and in ditches in the more open areas within the tropical forests surrounding our hotel. It is certainly a butterfly with personality, and often settles whilst continuously opening and closing its wings, making it a tricky subject for photography. Found from Mexico south to Venezuela, with occasional strays reaching the USA.
20th November 2019. El Jobo. Guanacasta.
This is a delightful, tiny butterfly with a fairly delicate flight, low to the ground. It was a common sight along ride edges and in ditches in the more open areas within the tropical forests surrounding our hotel. It is certainly a butterfly with personality, and often settles whilst continuously opening and closing its wings, making it a tricky subject for photography. Found from Mexico south to Venezuela, with occasional strays reaching the USA.
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