Monday, November 10, 2008

Birding Under Cover

Malachite Butterfly (Siproeta stelenes) - Mombacho Volacno - Nicaragua



I'm heading to the Peruvian Amazon this morning and will be out of reach for the next 12 days. I'm volunteering for Earthwatch at the Tambopata Research Centre on a macaw biology and conservation study being conducted by Dr. Don Brightsmith. I'll be assisting in field work that focuses mainly on three species of macaws - blue and yellow, scarlet and red and green and their interaction and use of clay licks. The clay licks at Tambopata are among the world's largest and host hundreds of birds representing 18 parrot species and the research area is home to over 500 species of birds -- so I hope to bring back some good shots. The area also holds the record for the most species of butterflies and tiger beetles and I hope to find a few of those for Doug Taron at Gossamer Tapestry.

I'll be back with Amazon posts and more Nicaragua in about two weeks. See you then.

17 comments:

Mary said...

Safe travels, Tim! I'm already hyperventilating over the bird shots I imagine you'll get.

kjpweb said...

Uh, do I wish I could tag along! :)
Have fun and be safe!
Cheers, Klaus

Oklahoma Girl said...

Traveling mercies!! Sounds like such a fabulous trip--can't wait to see the pictures.


Blessed be...

coolwaterworks said...

Be well on this trip Tim...
By the way, the malachite butterfly really looks like the birdwing butterfly of Malaysia... :)

Idabel Oklahoma said...

We finally find you and you leave us. Be safe Mr.T.

Kathie Brown said...

T.R., Have a safe trip. I can't wait to see the photos. I can't imagine seeing 500 species of birds, and then there are the butterflies to boot! Doug is probably drooling right now! If I were you, I'd check my bags for a stowaway!

Doug Taron said...

Nice malachite! The color reflects how I'm feeling about your trip to Peru. It's been about 15 years since I've been to Puerto Maldonado. The butterfly collecting was outstanding there- best tropical butterfly experience I've ever had. I often look back at that trip with a bit of regret that I had not started exploring other groups of insects yet. I recall a lot of clearwing butterflies there, including one whose wings looked like they were made from yellow cellophane. Fingers crossed that you get some nice tiger beetle photos. Safe travels to you.

Anonymous said...

Tim ,
I am constantly amazed at your photos and writing. Ypu have helped to ignite my joy of travel, which is so easy to foret in our industry. You inspire me to look at the wolrd differently!!

Mep

Eranda Janku said...

SAFE trip
xox
The Albanian Girl

Anonymous said...

"Nice malachite! The color reflects how I'm feeling about your trip to Peru"

I agree with Doug.

Have a safe trip. I can hardly wait to see your photos.
DavidM

Lana Gramlich said...

I can NOT wait to see the pictures! Have a great & safe time. :)

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Gosh, Tim,
you weren't kidding when you said you wanted to be JZ when you grew up!
The Rainforest? You, too?
Fantastic!

Safe travels, friend.

Jennifer Chronicles (jenx67.com) said...

Thanks for the comment! That's pretty wild! Yes - I agree - the world is shrinking! I found Sulutsu's blog by searching for blogs authored by Native Americans. They are pretty rare - good ones that aren't overrun with ads. I think I drive him crazy trying to pitch my ideas to him on how to take his blog to the next level. He has great content and photos. There is so much originality out there, but I find his blog especially unique. My husband is Native American and my children are the tribal roll - Achumawi of Northern California. I've visited your blog a few times when Jean mentioned you. That is so funny that you didn't see the fine print either!

Anonymous said...

What an exciting time you're having- from Siberia to the Amazon. Can't wait to see your rainforest bird pics and see the tropical paradise through your eyes.

By the way, your sidebar of the traveler's cultural tips are worth re-reading. No wonder people are always smiling in your photos. You are a good ambassador, TR.

Onward to the Amazon.

Mel said...

GREAT!
Can't wait to see your 'Peruvian' posts!
Did you stopped by in Lima? Too bad we couldn't met. Iwould have been great to meet a blogging friend :)

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Tim--
I'm tagging you with a meme that will post at my site on Saturday. I hope you'll come visit and play along.

Nina at Nature Remains

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see you when you return. You travel is such amazing circles. Well, in Oklahoma, we'll keep the home fires burning.~~Dee

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