Ochre-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula flavirostris)

Ochre-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula flavirostris)

At 10cm (4in) this is one of the smaller species of antpittas.


Chestnut-crowned antpitta (Grallaria ruficapilla)

Chestnut-crowned Antpitta (Grallaria ruficapilla)

A rare encounter with a chestnut-crowned antpitta (Grallaria ruficapilla). The secretive antpittas are heard for the most part and seen only when you patiently…


Equatorial Antpitta (Grallaria saturata)

Equatorial Antpitta (Grallaria saturata)

Many of the antpitta species have incredible vocal abilities, and the rufous antpitta is one of those. They live in dense forests where the reach of sound is…


Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata)

This is a terribly lonely tortoise. It was removed from its homeland of Madagascar decades ago to this island (Bird Island) when the island was a coconut and…


Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

This giant tortoise species is named after one of the largest atolls in the world, Aldabra, which is also its last stronghold after centuries of human…


Peru Pacific Iguana (Microlophus peruvianus)

Peru Pacific Iguana (Microlophus peruvianus)

The coast of Peru is a desert, and fresh water is only available from springs or rivers fed by the Andes. This Peru Pacific iguana (Microlophus peruvianus) was…


Pseudophasma blanchardi

Pseudophasma blanchardi

The forest around the Amazon Research and Conservation Center (ARCC) is teaming with insects and some are really hard to see, like this pseudophasma…


Rhinoceros Beetle

Rhinoceros Beetle

During my 4 nights at Hotel do Ype, this night stood out as a particularly busy in regard to number of insects. It was very humid - the clouds were low - and…


Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus)

Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus)

These lizards were common alongside the path following the Iguaçu Falls.


Pelidnota sordida

Pelidnota sordida

A brief encounter with pelidnota sordida, one of countless insect species in this magnificent park.