On location in Manu national park. Rainforest evapotranspiration at sunrise:
A fer-de-lance (Bothrops brasili) on the forest floor uses heat sensing pits to locate prey. These pit vipers represent a danger to locals and are often killed on sight:
A poison arrow frog (Ameerega hahneli) calling in the rain after an exceedingly long and harsh dry season:
An Amazonian snail eating snake (Dipsas indica) curls up into a defensive posture in the light of a torch:
A female katydid slices open the cambrium of a tree trunk and deposits her eggs using her ovipositor:
Frilled cup fungi collect water:
Anticipating an army ant raid, a ponerine ant grabs a mouthful of eggs and flees the nest:
A clash of armoured understory titans. The scorpion uses its longer reach to hold back the equally venomous hunting centipede (Scolopendra sp.):
The peacock katydid (Pterochroza ocellata) is usually overlooked, its leaf-like wing casings providing the perfect camouflage. However, should it become disturbed it reveals a bewildering array of colours and patterns, a so-called startle display:
What a wonderful collection, masterfully executed. I really enjoyed the photo descriptions as well. My favorite (simply because I love landscapes) is the evapotranspiration shot.
Great set! I liked the initial shot of the setting and the reptiles, amphibian and insects that live there. I would have thought this was from the tropics, not Canada!
Another amazing collection of photographs. Not only do we get the pleasure of seeing wonderful photographs, you provide very interesting commentary about the critters and plants. Thanks for posting and I look forward to more from Peru or wherever your research takes you.
