Lichen Mantid

I had been at the Explorer's Inn, Tambopata National Reserve for 10 days and was desperate to find a Mantid. I had now walked most of the trails, turned over most leafs and scoured the barks of trees...still no luck!

Then one hot humid morning I decided to walk "Le Torre" trail which was supposedly the best one for bugs and insects and beautiful humming birds. That's when I found my Lichen Mantid. I was so excited! He was only 3cm long, very camouflaged and to me very cute.

I observed him (or her?) and he watched me and I watched him! Thirty minutes and 80 shots later and Lichen probably feeling a little bothered, a mate joined him (or her!).

Butterflies of the Peruvian Amazon

I had always dreamt of going to the “Amazon”. Hadn’t really thought about which country I would access it from, but I had always been fascinated with tropical rain forests and to me the Amazon was the ultimate destination.

So when my friend Shelley who was working as a Resident Naturalist at the Explorers Inn, Tambopata National Reserve in Peru suggested me coming out to do photography, well I jumped at the chance!

My initial intention was to photograph insects up close and personal. But whilst I was researching into this amazing region I soon learnt that this reserve has the highest recordings of butterflies than any other location of its size on this planet. I soon got excited about seeing a Morpho & owl butterfly (one of the largest species in the world) as well as the beautiful transparent butterflies.

I spent 15 days at the Explorer’s inn and every day was totally amazing, I could never get enough of carefully ‘walking’ though the rain forest on the hunt for animal sightings or turning over every leaf looking for cool insects and of course stalking butterflies!
I am desperate to go back as I was never able to capture the stunning Morpho butterfly with its vibrant blue wings open!

To view the whole series "Butterflies of the Peruvian Amazon", please visit my website http://www.photographicpassions.com/