Tag Archives: Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)

Silver-beaked Tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)

My room was in what could best compare with a cul-de-sac – at the very end of the new complex of Cristalino Jungle Lodge, and from my room I could watch all the various birds visiting this fruiting bush. Yet another visitor of this bush, albeit less frequent than for instance the short-billed honeycreeper. It […]

Short-billed Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes nitidus)

Short-billed Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes nitidus)

My room was in what could best compare with a cul-de-sac – at the very end of the new complex of Cristalino Jungle Lodge, and from my room I could watch all the various birds visiting this fruiting bush. This honeycreeper was perhaps the most frequent visitor. Life’s easy as long as there’s fruit here, […]

Headlight Beetle (Pyrophorus nyctophanus)

Headlight Beetle (Pyrophorus nyctophanus)

This is such a little known annual display in Oct/Nov in some of the forests bordering the Cerrado in Brazil and Bolivia. Each light is a beetle larva attracting prey with its light. This species specializes on termite mounds. Alongside the paths leading deep into the amazonian forest from the library and dining area of […]

White-shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus luctuosus)

White-shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus luctuosus)

My room was in what could best compare with a cul-de-sac – at the very end of the new complex of Cristalino Jungle Lodge, and from my room I could watch all the various birds visiting this fruiting bush.

Wallace’s Longwing (Heliconius wallacei)

Wallace’s Longwing (Heliconius wallacei)

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one. Thanks to Kim Garwood for assistance. She adds: “Yes, your H. wallacei is correct, based on your ventral, solid red lines […]

Heliconius sp

Heliconius sp

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one. I’ve been unable to identify this one as I’ve not found any resources with images that has the greenish spot with […]

Cristalino Jungle Lodge Lepidoptera 03

Cristalino Jungle Lodge Lepidoptera 03

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one. Please help identify it – leave a comment.

Orcus Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus orcus)

Orcus Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus orcus)

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Annulata Beauty (Colobura annulata)

Annulata Beauty (Colobura annulata)

Further up the Cristalino River, the first rapids and a small island with a great tree, Cristalino Jungle Lodge has a small farm and here I found several species of butterflies including this one.

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

A boat on the Cristalilno river is an excellent way to see life in the reserve, and as in Pantanal there are muscovy ducks also here in the Cristalino Reserve. It sounds like this:

Caricae Nymphidium (Nymphidium caricae)

Caricae Nymphidium (Nymphidium caricae)

On the path close to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde there was a large asteraceae bush in bloom, and naturally I found many wonderful species there. All small in size and from a distance seemingly inconspicuous. Up close it’s simply incredible beauty.

Ortilia gentina

Ortilia gentina

On the path close to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde there was a large asteraceae bush in bloom, and naturally I found many wonderful species there. All small in size and from a distance seemingly inconspicuous. Up close it’s simply incredible beauty.

Derufata Nymphidium (Nymphidium derufata)

Derufata Nymphidium (Nymphidium derufata)

On the path close to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde there was a large asteraceae bush in bloom, and naturally I found many wonderful species there. All small in size and from a distance seemingly inconspicuous. Up close it’s simply incredible beauty.

Nymphidium chione

Nymphidium chione

On the path close to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde there was a large asteraceae bush in bloom, and naturally I found many wonderful species there. All small in size and from a distance seemingly inconspicuous. Up close it’s simply incredible beauty.

Eurema sp.

Eurema sp.

On the path close to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde there was a large asteraceae bush in bloom, and naturally I found many wonderful species there. This was the only shot I got of this species. Kim Garwood for identification.

Orsilochus Daggerwing (Marpesia orsilochus)

Orsilochus Daggerwing (Marpesia orsilochus)

This individual was seemingly quite territorial, as I found it either on the ground or on the vegetation in the same area every day – just where the lower path to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Lodge begin. During my stay I found several butterfly hotspots around the buildings, but there were few places […]

Leucadia White (Melete leucadia)

Leucadia White (Melete leucadia)

This individual was infrequently accompanied by the beautiful Orsilochus Daggerwing which too was sucking up salts from the sand. This the beginning of the lower path to the new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Lodge..

Amazonian Trogon (Trogon ramonianus)

Amazonian Trogon (Trogon ramonianus)

My only encounter of this species, and it was as usual with the trogons one in which the bird simply is perched on a branch looking – just looking. As with many sightings while in Cristalino Jungle Lodge, this one was also close to one of the buildings. So you don’t have to go on […]

Common Mylon (Mylon maimon)

Common Mylon (Mylon maimon)

Every day I enjoyed the many butterflies around my room, and this was the only of this species I encountered during my stay.

Tiger Crescent (Eresia eunice)

Tiger Crescent (Eresia eunice)

Every day I enjoyed the many butterflies around my room, and this was the only of this species I encountered during my stay. Also called Eunice Crescent. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

Agathina Emperor (Doxocopa agathina)

Every day I enjoyed the many butterflies around my room and I was hoping this one would close its wings, as this species is more about open wings than closing them when on the ground. For a brief moment it did close the wings so I could see the underside.

Cristalino fungus

Helosis cayennensis

Wherever you walk inside the Cristalino Reserve you’ll see a huge diversity throughout the year. I was on my way back from the western canopy tower, and most will be filled with experiences from the tower about birds and not bother about what’s around alongside the path on their way back to the lodge, but […]

Cristalino ant nest

Cristalino ant nest

Wherever you walk inside the Cristalino Reserve you’ll see a huge diversity throughout the year. I was on my way back from the western canopy tower, and most will be filled with experiences from the tower about birds and not bother about what’s around alongside the path on their way back to the lodge, but […]

Cristalino Jungle Lodge canopy tower

Cristalino Jungle Lodge canopy tower

Cristalino Jungle Lodge has invested in two excellent and tall towers, one east of the Cristalino river, and the other on the west side, where the lodge resides. As you can see from this panorama, which consists of 25 images, there’s no man-made structures as far as the eye can see. Although you have excellent […]

White-bellied Parrot (Pionites leucogaster)

White-bellied Parrot (Pionites leucogaster)

This was my one and only encounter of this species of parrot. This is just one of two individuals that found time to sit in this Brazil nut tree. This is typical of the encounters from a canopy tower, and although I encountered many bird species from the western canopy tower of Cristalino Jungle Lodge, […]

Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana)

Turquoise Tanager (Tangara mexicana)

One of several colorful canopy-dwelling birds I encountered on the western canopy tower of Cristalino Jungle Lodge. It sounds like this:

Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)

The number of plant species you see from the canopy towers of Cristalino Jungle Lodge is impressive. Unfortunately most are out of focus, as all the visitors are only interested in the birds. But what are the birds without the trees? These plant species produce flowers and fruit throughout the year, and is at the […]

Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)

Yellow-browed Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)

This is such a tiny bird – around 9 cm in length, so close encounters are required to get any decent shots. This day I was in luck, as it chose this branch on one of the closets trees to the western canopy tower of Cristalino Jungle Lodge. It sounds like this:

Paradise Jacamar (Galbula dea)

Paradise Jacamar (Galbula dea)

Definitely the most beautiful of the jacamars! From the western canopy tower of Cristalino Jungle Lodge I enjoyed not just this one, but also its mate. Unfortunately they never sat close enough to get them in one shot. It sounds like this:

Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana)

Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana)

From the two canopy towers of Cristalino Jungle Lodge you have a fantastic bird’s eye view over the treetops, and you can see many of the canopy dwellers like this beautful cotinga. But as there are many trees in the jungle, it’s only by chance you’ll see birds on the treetops closest to the tower. […]

Cristalino Jungle Lodge frog 01

Cristalino Jungle Lodge frog 01

The new rooms at Cristalino Jungle Logde have a great open air shower, and thus a great place to observe visiting frogs after dark. Not all were in reach of my camera, though. This is a very small frog, so image is deceiving. Please help identify it – leave a comment!

White-eyed Parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

White-eyed Parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

Yet another of many species of parrots you may see on the grounds of Cristalino Jungle Lodge. This couple is eating off the spikelet, or the stem holding the coconuts! What nutritional value could it possibly hold, except lots of cellulose and fibres? They were quite persistent, and possibly will continue until the spikelet can […]

Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)

Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)

Commonly seen and heard around the houses of Cristalino Jungle Lodge. Not so common to see three together like this, though. It sounds like this:

Tufted capuchin (Cebus apella)

Tufted capuchin (Cebus apella)

This group raided the mango trees like there was no tomorrow! They did not pick at random, though. It was the sense of smell that seemed to seal the fate of any given mango. As you can see in these photos they elaborately held the fruit up close to the nose and inhaled. For some […]

Tufted capuchin (Cebus apella)

Tufted capuchin (Cebus apella)

In this angle I think the name tufted is appropriate, but it’s more commonly known as the brown capuchin. This one is naturally part of a larger group which is looking for food on the grounds of Cristalino Jungle Lodge. They move quickly around, so it’s hard to get a headcount but one this is […]

Cristalino Jungle Lodge lizard 01

Cristalino Jungle Lodge lizard 01

Common around the buildings and open areas around the lodge. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena)

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena peruviana)

One of several species diaethria found around Cristalino Jungle Lodge. This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species.

Lavinia Emperor (Doxocopa lavinia)

Lavinia Emperor (Doxocopa lavinia)

The doxocopas look very similar to the adelphas out in the field, but when you see one with this amazing blue iridescence there are much less to choose from. This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species. Luckily there […]

Cat’s-eye Sapphire (Lasaia arsis)

Cat’s-eye Sapphire (Lasaia arsis)

I’ve shot this several times before, but I just can’t help myself – and this shot I think really shows the splendor of this species!

Cynosura Eighty-eight (Callicore cynosura)

Cynosura Eighty-eight (Callicore cynosura)

Unfortunately I was unable to get a photo of the upperside of the wings (dorsal), but the ventral (underside) is good enough for now. When observing a butterfly “hotspot” like this location, there are so many individuals I assume is the same species, and it’s hard to keep track of where each individual is moving […]

Linda Emperor (Doxocopa linda)

Linda Emperor (Doxocopa linda)

The doxocopas look very similar to the adelphas out in the field, as well as during identification at home. It’s like seeing the difference of two QR codes or barcodes! This is why I try to first of all determine how many individuals are in one location, and then to photograph each one for some […]

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena marchallii)

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena marchallii)

I had a hard time identifying this one, as all the photos available showed narrower black bands and white at the confluence of the numbers in contrast to black on mine. It appears that all races of clymena have a considerable variation! Thanks to Adrian Hoskins for identification clarification.

Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)

Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)

Most focus on the underside of the wings, or ventral, but the dorsal (upperside) is in my eyes equally wonderful. The problem is of course that this is rarely displayed when stationary, so mostly luck or a large number of exposures can ensure a photo of the upper side. disturbed by my slow movements. This […]

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

Most focus on the underside of the wings, or ventral, but the dorsal (upperside) is in my eyes equally wonderful. The problem is of course that this is rarely displayed when stationary, so mostly luck or a large number of exposures can ensure a photo of the upper side. This particular location is the “shipyard” […]

Amazon Beauty (Baeotus aeilus)

Amazon Beauty (Baeotus aeilus)

This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species. Luckily there were very few guest at the time I was at this hotspot, so the butterflies were more or less only disturbed by my slow movements. Many butterfly species, including […]

Dusky-billed Parrotlet (Forpus modestus)

Dusky-billed Parrotlet (Forpus modestus)

Even though I was close to this tree and heard a lot of noise from these birds, it was hard to locate them, as their size and color is just like the leaves of the tree! Cristalino Jungle Lodge has many species of trees around the buildings that bear fruit, and thus you can get […]

Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens)

Blackish Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigrescens)

Nightjars are naturally hard to see as they’re nocturnal, but you definitely hear them and if you use their sound you can often locate them with a flashlight. As Cristalilno Jungle Lodge has many buildings spread out, the many species of nightjars have excellent locations too roost during daytime, so take a close look when […]

Cristalino Jungle Lodge lepidoptera 02

Cristalino Jungle Lodge Lepidoptera 02

A large and very conspicuous caterpillar. My experienced guide has never seen this species before. Please help me identify it – leave a comment!

Red-headed Manakin (Pipra rubrocapilla)

Red-headed Manakin (Pipra rubrocapilla)

There are many trails leading into the primary forest from Cristalino Jungle Lodge, and I encountered these two manakins not far from the lodge. I just noticed a flash of red, and barely had time to set up the camera and shoot a few images before they both took off. I suspect this branch has […]

Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)

Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritus)

Some birds are so well camouflaged that you can only see them when they move. This small bird blends perfectly against the high contrast of the greyish clouds and the foliage. This is from the western canopy tower of Cristalino Jungle Lodge. It sounds like this:

Red-necked Aracari (Pteroglossus bitorquatus)

Red-necked Aracari (Pteroglossus bitorquatus)

Cristalino Jungle Lodge has erected 2 canopy towers, and this is from the western one. This is the only way to see the life up here, and many species never venture to the ground. You have a fantastic view from here, but that too is a problem, as many birds are very far away and […]

White-whiskered Spider Monkey (Ateles marginatus)

White-whiskered Spider Monkey (Ateles marginatus)

A group of spider monkeys was accompanying a group of capuchin monkeys. While the capuchins were busy raiding the mango trees in the garden of Cristalino Jungle lodge, this one was just observing the goings on – including me.

Diaphania sp.

Diaphania sp.

One of the last nocturnals before diurnal life set in – I was on my way to breakfast, and it was on its way to a safe place for the day. Please help me identify it – leave a comment 🙂

Spix’s Guan (Penelope jacquacu)

Spix’s Guan (Penelope jacquacu)

There’s a particular palm with small fruits growing around the rooms of Cristalino Jungle Lodge, and they are irresistible to the guans. When in fruit, you’ll most definitely encounter the guans picking berries. It sounds like this:

Red-throated Piping Guan (Pipile cujubi)

Red-throated Piping Guan (Pipile cujubi)

There are a lot of this species of palm in the garden of Cristalino Jungle Logde, so you can enjoy the different birds eating the fruits when you walk to and from your room. The small fruit is easy picking for all sized birds, and you’ll most likely encounter the perhaps largest of them all […]

Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii)

Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii)

A bird with a “hairdo”! Unfortunately I did not have a close encounter of this species while in Cristalino Jungle Lodge, so you can just vaguely see the unusual curly head feathers in this photo. It sounds like this: