During the Easter holiday I had my first chance to explore more widely outside of Bogota. Towards the end of the holiday my family and I stayed with friends near Villeta, close to the Rio Villeta and the Payande country club. Being at a considerably lower altitude than Bogota the climate was warmer and so I managed to see a good amount of wildlife. Where we stayed was close to a small wooded stream. I have found water courses like this particularly good places to find wildlife in Asia and here was no different.
I was delighted to photograph my first Colombian snake. The beautiful Shaw's Black Backed Snake.
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| Erythrolamprus melanotus Shaws (Black Backed Snake) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Erythrolamprus melanotus (Shaws Black Backed Snake) Rio Villeta Colombia |
As well as the snake there were numerous yellow headed geckos in the tress by the river as well as in the walls surrounding our accommodation. The males had a bright orange head whilst the females were well camouflaged against the trees.
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| Gonatodes albogularis (Yellow headed Gecko) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Unidentified lizard Rio Villeta |
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| Gonatodes albogularis |
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| Gonatodes albogularis |
The bird life in the area was colourful with even the more common birds having brightly coloured plumage.
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| Thraupis episcopus (blue-gray tanager) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Sicalis columbiana columbiana (Orange fronted yellow finch) Rio Villeta Colombia |
There were also a number of noisy wild parakeets hanging out in the trees near the river and gardens of the local houses.
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| Brotogeris jugularis (The orange-chinned parakeet) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Brotogeris jugularis (The orange-chinned parakeet) Rio Villeta Colombia |
The area was rich in butterflies and I encountered many beautiful species. Here is a small selection of these:
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| Parides eurimedes(True Cattle-heart) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Siproeta stelenes (Malachite) Rio Villeta Colombia |
This large Owl butterfly flew at dusk and when I saw the flash of blue I though I had found my first Morpho. However it is in a separate genus.
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| Caligo eurilochus (owl butterfly) Rio Villeta Colombia |
This swallowtail reminded my of the Helen butterflies found in Asia, both in behaviour and appearance. I found two individuals puddling at a ford.
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| Heraclides anchisiades (Ruby-spotted Swallowtail) Rio Villeta Colombia |
There was a massive congregation of this particular species, probably around a hundred individuals.
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| Eueides vibilia female Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Eueides vibilia male |
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| Eueides vibilia mating pair |
They seemed to be hatching out of a big colony of chrysalises attached to a wire fence and vines.
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| Eueides vibilia |
Along the woodland stream flying in the dappled shade were a number of clearwing butterflies as well as several species of orange tiger patterned butterflies.
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| Ithomia hyala (Avella Glasswing) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Hypoleria lavinia vanilia Rio Villeta Colombia |
All of these tiger species are toxic to birds, inducing vomiting when eaten. The colours have co-evolved as a warning to birds and are a great example of Müllerian mimicry.
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| Mechanitis lysimnia (Sweet-oil Tiger) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Mechanitis polymnia veritabilis (disturbed tigerwing) Rio Villeta Colombia |
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| Lycorea halia (Tiger-mimic Queen) |
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| Mechanitis polymnia veritabilis |
There were a number of cicadas emerging and singing in the area at night, including this lovely example.
