Tag Archives: Amazon Research and Conservation Center

Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)

Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus)

There are a few access roads to the Rio Las Piedras which is the only way to the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and on my way back we chose to drive the one that is the shortest way from ARCC, but is longer on land. This cause some problems when there have been […]

Veined White Skipper (Heliopetes arsalte)

Veined White Skipper (Heliopetes arsalte)

There are a few access roads to the Rio Las Piedras which is the only way to the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and on my way back we chose to drive the one that is the shortest way from ARCC, but is longer on land. This cause some problems when there have been […]

Orcus Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus orcus)

Orcus Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus orcus)

There are a few access roads to the Rio Las Piedras which is the only way to the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and on my way back we chose to drive the one that is the shortest way from ARCC, but is longer on land. This cause some problems when there have been […]

Oil-Diggers (Centris sp)

Oil-Diggers (Centris sp)

This large and powerful species is out of reach for a human most of the time, except when it lands on one of the riverbanks to lick salts from the ground – deposited by wild animals or humans. This been has been very busy pollinating – the true color is covered by yellow pollen! Please […]

Oil-Diggers (Centris sp)

Oil-Diggers (Centris sp)

This large and powerful species is out of reach for a human most of the time, except when it lands on one of the riverbanks to lick salts from the ground – deposited by wild animals or humans. You see yellow pollen on wings and head. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)

Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)

If you don’t see the nunbirds you definitely hear them, as they are very vocal. I found many of them in the forest aorund the Amazon Research and Conservation Center in Peru, and also found two roosting on palm fronds right outside my cabin every night. As the sunlight diminished they flew to their usual […]

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani)

The oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center is teaming with life, and is an excellent location to get up and close. As there is no current you can drift silently with the wind and when you sit still be somewhat regarded as part of the natural flow of things. Normally the anis […]

Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus)

Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus)

The oxbow lake at Amazon Research and Conservation Center, deep in the Peruvian Amazon, was almost still as I watched this heron stand perfectly still and then almost eject its bill into the water like a harpoon. The long white head plumes fly in every direction as a result. What really surprised me was the […]

White-banded Swallow (Atticora fasciata)

White-banded Swallow (Atticora fasciata)

If you’re on or by a river in the Amazon rain forest you will see this species, sometimes a single one like here, or if you’re lucky maybe a hundred roosting in one place. They usually fly away long before you can get a shot like this, but at this particular moment I was in […]

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

The oxbow lake at the Amazon Reaseach and Conservation Center holds enough fish to support ravenous giant otters, caimans, anhingas and neotropical cormorants. The cormorant is a common bird throughout South America, and this oxbow lake is no exception, but sometimes there are moments where they might sit or do something unusual. In this posture […]

White-bellied Parrot (Pionites leucogaster)

White-bellied Parrot (Pionites leucogaster)

These wonderful and uncommon parrots just flew into the garden of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) and started eating from the fruits of this palm tree. They didn’t stay long, and did not show their front side, so this is all I got. This is what’s so great with ARCC – the garden […]

Gurania makoyana UV

Gurania makoyana UV

No unusual patterns in UV light.

Heliconia pendula

Heliconia pendula

I found many heliconia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin. Resembles Heliconia rostrata, but the shape of the bract is longer and pointier on this one, making the opening larger than that of the rostrata.

Gurania sp

Gurania sp

This is the second species of what seems like a cucumber plant. It too grows on the grounds of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Gurania sp

Gurania sp

This is the second species of what seems like a cucumber plant. It too grows on the grounds of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Dioclea grandiflora

Dioclea grandiflora

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy.

Dioclea grandiflora

Dioclea grandiflora

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. It looks like Dioclea grandiflora, but I’m not certain, so please […]

ARCC plant 08 (Bauhinieae)

ARCC plant 08 (Bauhinieae)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the building of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

ARCC plant 08 (Bauhinieae)

ARCC plant 08 (Bauhinieae)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the building of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

ARCC Catasetum 02

ARCC Catasetum 02

How incredibly lucky I was that this orchid was in bloom when I came by! These flowers are in pristine condition, and I was totally amazed by their incredible design! A few weeks earlier or later, and I would have missed it – timing is everything!

ARCC Catasetum 02

ARCC Catasetum 02

This is the second species of this incredibly strange genus I found here at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Strange, not just by looks, but by the fact it has unisexual flowers. Here you see the female plant. Unfortunately I did not find any male plants on this tree, which really does not […]

Catasetum schunkei

Catasetum schunkei

This is a very unusual species of orchid in that it has male and female flowers. Here yous see what appears as two different species – the flowers are after all very different. The female plant has pale green flowers, and the colorful ones are on the male plant. For humans to see these orchid […]

Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans)

Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the building of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers and leaves on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy.

Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans)

Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. This is the male flower.

ARCC plant 07 (Tabernaemontana)

ARCC plant 07 (Tabernaemontana)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

ARCC plant 07 (Tabernaemontana)

ARCC plant 07 (Tabernaemontana)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

ARCC plant 06 (Diplopterys)

ARCC plant 06 (Diplopterys)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. The lake is open and brings permanent sunlight to the plants […]

ARCC plant 06 (Diplopterys)

ARCC plant 06 (Diplopterys)

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy. The lake is open and brings permanent sunlight to the plants […]

Bignonia aequinoctialis

Bignonia aequinoctialis

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy.

Bignonia aequinoctialis

Bignonia aequinoctialis

The oxbow lake just a few meters from the buildings of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is an excellent way to get close to flowers on trees and vines that otherwise are out of reach – many meters up towards the canopy.

Blue-crowned trogon (Trogon curucui)

Blue-crowned trogon (Trogon curucui)

Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) has a canopy tower, and that is an excellent way to experience canopy dwellers. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my long lens here this time, so the trogon is somewhat far away. They can sit for long periods in the same spot, seemingly idle, but the eyes are always focusing […]

Fireflies of Made de Dios

Fireflies of Madre de Dios

I stayed many days deep in the Peruvian Amazon, in the biodiverse Madre de Dios region where life is abundant every second of every hour of the day and night. The nights are pitch black and intense with sounds and scents, and only the full moon in a cloudless night will provide rays of light […]

ARCC snake

ARCC snake

During our dinner we heard some noise from the next room – cans falling to the floor in the bar. It was caused by this snake that somehow had managed to get inside and now was struggling to find its way out. We let it out in this tree and hopefully it managed to find […]

Spider monkey (Ateles sp)

Spider monkey (Ateles sp)

Almost every day I encountered either spider or howler monkeys. This individual is part of a group I found during one of my many trips on the oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). They have made a float out of two canoes – perfect for photographers and others that want a […]

Wild Coco (Eulophia alta)

Wild Coco (Eulophia alta)

In seems it is on solid ground, but this is in fact a float. Underneath it is very deep in some places, so stepping out of the boat is a no go – I tested with a very long stick and it didn’t reach the bottom! Thus I had to photograph from the boat.

Leonia crassa

Leonia crassa

This is a very peculiar tree – full of fruits growing from the trunk, not the tip of the branches. I only encountered this tree, which stands in the garden of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC).

Gurania makoyana

Gurania makoyana

A cucumber-like plant I found on the path up from the river, and a few other places around the open areas around the buildings of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Here a Tettigonidae is paying a visit.

Gurania makoyana

Gurania makoyana

A cucumber-like plant I found on the path up from the river, and a few other places around the open areas around the buildings of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). One of the pollinators. A decorative plant worthy of a place in a garden, in my opinion. Unfortunately I did not find any with […]

ARCC heliconia 04

ARCC heliconia 04

I found many heliconia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

ARCC heliconia 04

ARCC heliconia 04

I found many heliconia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

ARCC insect 05 (Heteroptera)

ARCC insect 05 (Heteroptera)

Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

ARCC plant 04 (Calathea)

ARCC plant 04 (Calathea)

This plant grows in the shadows of the trees – on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

ARCC plant 04 (Calathea)

ARCC plant 04 (Calathea)

This plant grows in the shadows of the trees – on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Eumaeus minyas

Eumaeus minyas

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Some so well camouflaged that I couldn’t see them unless they moved of was in flight. This one was one of several exceptions, as its bright spots make it somewhat conspicuous. Thanks to Kim Garwood […]

Prayer Plants (Genus Calathea)

Prayer Plants (Genus Calathea)

This plant grows in the shadows of the trees – on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Prayer Plants (Genus Calathea)

Prayer Plants (Genus Calathea)

This plant grows in the shadows of the trees – on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. Please help me identify it – leave a comment.

Swamp Skimmer (Orthemis cultriformis)

Swamp Skimmer (Orthemis cultriformis)

Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is protecting primary rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon, and this is one of countless species of dragonflies I encountered. I found a large fallen tree which had created new opportunities for many species. Now an opening to the sky and sun was available together with a hole in the […]

ARCC plant 02

ARCC plant 02

Fruit on a vine in the gloom of the forest floor in the forest of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Speckled Dashers (Genus Micrathyria)

ARCC dragonfly 03

Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is protecting primary rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon, and this is one of countless species of dragonflies I encountered. I found a large fallen tree which had created new opportunities for many species. Now an opening to the sky and sun was available together with a hole in the […]

Amberwings (Genus Perithemis)

ARCC dragonfly 02

Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is protecting primary rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon, and this is one of countless species of dragonflies I encountered. I found a large fallen tree which had created new opportunities for many species. Now an opening to the sky and sun was available together with a hole in the […]

Amberwings (Genus Perithemis)

ARCC dragonfly 01

Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is protecting primary rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon, and this is one of countless species of dragonflies I encountered. I found a large fallen tree which had created new opportunities for many species. Now an opening to the sky and sun was available together with a hole in the […]

Rainbow Metalmark (Caria trochilus)

Rainbow Metalmark (Caria trochilus)

A large tree had fallen down, and under the root a small pond had formed. This together with a cone of light where the canopy of the fallen tree once was, I found so many interesting insects that had found this temporary opportunity in the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in […]

ARCC heliconia 03

ARCC heliconia 03

I found many heliconia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin. This one looks like Heliconia metallica, but I need a positive ID, so please help me and leave a comment if you know.

ARCC lepidoptera 04 (Caeruleuptychia sp)

ARCC lepidoptera 04 (Caeruleuptychia sp)

There are many trails around Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and although many find the forest dark and lifeless compared to the canopy, you only need to take it slow, and you’ll see how it’s teeming with life. On just one point of one of the trails I found many species of butterflies. Most […]

Pythonides grandes

Pythonides grandes

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Many are so well camouflaged that they are invisible when the rest on leaf litter. Some, like this one, are very visible when they sit in the few rays of sunlight passing through the canopy […]

ARCC lepidoptera 02

ARCC lepidoptera 02

I found many butterflies around the dark forest floor of the forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC). Many are so well camouflaged that they are invisible when they rest on leaf litter. It’s even also hard to see when when it’s sitting on fresh leaves, as the background is leaf litter and […]

ARCC plant 01 (Clavija sp)

ARCC plant 01 (Clavija sp)

At first this seemed like a struggling tree species looking for light, but at closer look it was full of flowers and thus at home in the shadows on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

ARCC plant 01 (Clavija sp)

ARCC plant 01 (Clavija sp)

At first this seemed like a struggling tree species looking for light, but at closer look it was full of flowers and thus at home in the shadows on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru.. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Pseudophasma blanchardi

Pseudophasma blanchardi

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is teaming with insects and some are really hard to see, like this stick-insect.

Giant Red-winged Grasshopper (Tropidacris cristata)

Giant Red-winged Grasshopper (Tropidacris cristata)

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center is teaming with insects (ARCC), and on the base of a tree I found many attracted to sap coming out of the tree. Several species come here, and some are able to eat into the bark and reach the sap – this grasshopper is one of […]

ARCC insect 02

ARCC insect 02

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is teaming with insects, and on the base of a tree I found many attracted to sap coming out of the tree. Several species come here, and some are able to eat into the bark and reach the sap. Yet others, like this species, come […]

ARCC insect 01

ARCC insect 01

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is teaming with insects, and on the base of a tree I found many attracted to sap coming out of the tree. Several species come here, and some are able to eat into the bark and reach the sap. Yet others, like this species, use […]

ARCC plant 00

ARCC plant 00

This plant grows in the shadows of the trees – on the forest floor at the Amazon Research and conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Bog orchid (Habenaria melvillei)

Bog orchid (Habenaria melvillei)

As the name implies this is an orchid that thrives in very wet environments, and this is as wet as it can be – a float of vegetation on the oxbow lake at the amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in Peru. In seems it is on solid ground, but this is in fact a […]

Ladder-tailed nightjar (Hydropsalis climacocerca)

Ladder-tailed nightjar (Hydropsalis climacocerca)

Here in the Peruvian Amazon I found many nightjars around an oxbow lake at Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and this one was perched in plain sight quite far out on the lake. They are so well camouflaged, that only when you know the anatomy of trees and branches will you suspect a perched […]

Black-capped donacobius (Donacobius atricapilla)

Black-capped donacobius (Donacobius atricapilla)

Where there’s water there’s Black-capped donacobius, and the oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is no exception – you’ll hear and see them all the time. It sounds like this:

Green kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)

Green kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)

The Oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) offers many excellent opportunities for those interested in photographing or observing flora and fauna. This is a common kingfisher, and I’ve photographed it many times, but here I found the colors particularly beautiful. It sounds like this:

ARCC spider 01

ARCC spider 01

Diversity in the virgin rainforest surrounding the amazon Research and Conservation Center is incredible, and I think if I only focused on spiders I would have needed many stays here to identify them all. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloroptera)

Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus)

This clay-lick is about one our boat drive downstream from the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) in the Peruvian Amazon. This lick was dominated by the red-and-green Macaw, but if you look closely on the top of the image, just a bit to the left, you’ll see a pair of green parakeets waiting for […]

Tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)

Tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)

Visiting diverse and pristine habitats as that of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is amazing, but also poses one problem! Nigh and day is equally busy with life, so which of the two do you focus on? I am not really a morning person, so I should perhaps be up all night here, […]

Kinkajou (Potos flavus)

Kinkajou (Potos flavus)

I wish I had more time here at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), as I would then had time to focus on nocturnal life in addition to the diurnal. A couple of nights I did manage to stay up a few hours to look for nocturnal fauna, and the forest was teaming with […]

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

The iconic Hoatzin is a strange looking bird as well as in behaviour, but it’s also beautiful I think. It’s like no other bird! It raises the head plume as seen here when excited – by each other or passers by like me. Nice hairdo! This is from the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) […]

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Deep in the Peruvian Amazon at Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) I visited this oxbow lake where a tiny family of giant otters have managed to raise 3 young to the stage where they are weaned and have become quite the nuisance as they still want food for free. The young otter is making […]

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

I’m fascinated by these prehistoric-like birds of the Amazon rainforest – they are like no other bird! They can hardly fly, they sound like a magpie stuck on the first note during the day, and they sound otherworldly at night especially around full moon. Here they’re temporarily perched on a fallen tree in the oxbow […]

ARCC insect 06 (Heteroptera)

ARCC insect 06 (Heteroptera)

There are several beautiful specimens of heliconias growing in the garden of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and when in bloom they are a great place to observe the myriads of birds and insects visiting. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

Red Howler Monkey (Alouatta seniculus)

There are many groups of both spider and howler monkeys roaming the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC), and this group turned up as I was photographing flowers. They were inquisitive and calm, and some stopped to check me out, but the group was on the move so they had to follow – […]

ARCC bush cricket 01

ARCC bush cricket 01

Just walking amongst the buildings of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) will reveal lots of insects, and this female is one of several species of tettigoniidae living here. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Golden silk orb-weaver (Nephila sp)

Golden silk orb-weaver (Nephila sp)

The virgin forest surrounding the Amazon Research and Conservation Center is home to a large number for spider species, and this one was perhaps the most visible of all, as the web was hanging out in the open, between trees, at less than 2 meters above the ground. Please help me identify it – leave […]

Heliconia hirsuta

Heliconia hirsuta

I found many heliconia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin.

Heliconia hirsuta

Heliconia hirsuta

I found many helicoinia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin.

Heliconia rostrata

Heliconia rostrata

I found many heliconia species in the forest around Amazon Research and Conservation Center, and some right outside my cabin.

Yellow-headed Sideneck Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)

Yellow-headed Sideneck Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)

On every fallen tree in the oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) there was one or more turtle sunbathing and it seems this rather uncommon species was the most abundant here. Even though I approached them very slowly, they perceived any human a threat and thus jumped into the water for […]

Blue-banded Morpho (Morpho achilles)

Blue-banded Morpho (Morpho achilles)

Morphos are mesmerizing! In flight you see the flash of blue, but when they sit they’re invisible as they almost never open the wings and the underside is like the surroundings of its environment – the dark and dappled forest floor. This individual is old and torn, perhaps somewhat confused as it’s sitting with open […]

Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris)

Azure Gallinule (Porphyrio flavirostris)

Usually well hidden inside dense vegetation where the vocalization is the only sign it’s there. The oxbow lake at the Amazon Research and conservation Center provides an excellent way to get up close, as the float is only powered by hand, and thus you can slowly and silently glide along the edges of the lake. […]

Madre de Dios star trails

Madre de Dios star trails

I stayed many days deep in the Peruvian Amazon, in the biodiverse Madre de Dios region where life is abundant every second of every hour of the day and night. The nights are pitch black and intense with sounds and scents, and only the full moon in a cloudless night will provide rays of light […]

Dusk over Madre de Dios lake

Dusk over Madre de Dios lake

This oxbow lake on the land of the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) provides amazing opportunities for observing wildlife of this remote region of the Peruvian Amazon – Madre de Dios – as it’s an oxbow lake, once part of a river, but now separated, and thus a calm and protected lake. Only in […]

Alurnus orbignyi

Alurnus orbignyi

One of countless colorful insect species on the doorstep of Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC).