Saturday, February 28, 2009

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Caterpillar in the honey

Check out this unwelcome caterpillar feeding on an extra-floral nectary, a right reserved for ants, so they say. From the looks of the ingá leaves, it also helped itself to the main dish. Click on the image for an enlargement.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A new character

I know, I know! This image isn't in focus, but I couldn't do better under the circumstances. My camera is about ready for the recycling bin. Nevertheless, I found this small insect so intriguing, so different than any other I've ever seen, I couldn't resist sharing with my readers. Check out the turquoise colored gloves and boots! And those tattoos? Click on the image for an enlargement. This is the first time I've seen this character at the Bosque, but I hope it won't be the last.

Another beetle

This colorful beetle seemed to be mired down in water and humidity from an early morning rain.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Hairy Caterpillar, continued

I read somewhere that the word "caterpillar"means the hairy cat in French. It's not difficult to understand why when looking at the attached image. This caterpillar is not the same one shown on the previous post. It's much smaller and its hair is well combed. Amazing.

Hairy Caterpillar

I discovered this hairy caterpillar on the sink of the porch at the reception center today. Several of our woodsmen testified that this is one of the most poisonous of the caterpillars. Some of the descriptions convinced me that this little devil was to be respected.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Blue dragonfly



I thought there might be something different about each of the above images, but maybe I am presenting an overkill. The subject matter is quite small, as you can see by comparing the size of the leaf. It was so small, I did not even notice the colors. Turns out to be quite a beautiful dragonfly. That area where the wings are attached looks like some complicated mechnical engineering.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Bosque logotype



The two readers participating in the opinion poll of the best logotype for Bosque Santa Lucia, chose the latest graphic design created by my son, Arthur Daniel. I personally liked the first one he did a few years ago. Maybe sentimental feelings because I've used it a lot. Daniel, top image. That's me hiding behind the tree!

Centipedes, continued

As I remember it, this little creature is also a centipede. It has that look of not being very friendly, but I'll ask Ted MaRae to give us a reading on that. This one was making its way across the floor of the back porch.

Millipedes

I followed the larger millipede around for a few minutes trying to get a picture of it as it moved in and out of the foliage. Compact digital cameras aren't noted for their fast shutter speeds ... and I'm not very speedy myself. But at last I was satisfied that I had at least one good image. It wasn't until I downloaded the chip onto the computer that I realized there was a second millipede. I wonder what else is down there under all those leaves? Post script: I originally called them centipedes. See Ted MacRae's comment.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Calabash gourd tree

We were in Alter do Chão last Sunday. I spotted this beautiful calabash gourd tree in the front yard of a small bar, only meters away from from where the Tapajós River and Lago Verde meet. Look at the fruit on that small tree. And there were a few others I didn't include in the photograph!

Geniparana flower

One pedal of this geniparana flower (Gustavia augusta) seems to have taken a liking to the stem of the tree. The family is Lecythidaceae, the same as the Brazil nut tree.

New logotype for Bosque




Our younger son, Arthur Daniel, is a graphic designer at a marketing firm in Belém. He has done all the logotypes for Bosque Santa Lúcia, the latest being the bottom design. The one I've used most is the first one listed in this post. To my readers, which one do you like? Click in the "comments" link.