We saw many Satyrines, Lycaenids and Riodinids as we walked the trails, and several magnificent Nymphalids, including a gorgeous male Hamadryas velutina which basked on a tree trunk. The most productive area however was the peccary wallow, which attracted hordes of Nymphalids, and thankfully on this occasion did not attract the swarms of sweat bees, wasps and hoverflies that were so troublesome the previous year. There were hordes of beautiful species at the wallow including the stunning red and black Siderone galanthis, several Adelpha sp, a Methona mimicking Dismorphiine - Patia orise, and the brilliant metallic green metalmark Caria mantinea. 

The trails radiating from the lodge were particularly good for Satyrines, producing Haetera pierella, several Pierella species, and a variety of Euptychia / Cissia. The nicest Satyrines however were the wonderful dead-leaf mimics Taygetis angulosa and Taygetis mermeria. Brassolines included Catoblepia berecynthia, Opotera aorsa and at least 3 species of Caligo Owl butterflies. Nymphalines included dazzling Catonephele and Nessaea species, and the lovely Hamadryas chloe. Other species along the trail included the metallic blue Mesosemia marisa, and the green Lycaenid Arcas imperialis, which periodically plopped down from the trees to land on low foliage.

As on our previous trip, the Sarota species attracted a lot of attention. They appeared early in the mornings at the edge of a glade, zipping around the tops of banana trees, looking just like houseflies. They occasionally settled, and when I looked closely at their undersides, resplendent in dark red with orange and metallic blue markings, I pondered on how such amazing beauty and intricate patterning could have evolved, and what purpose it might serve. Why such beauty in such a tiny insect ? 

A full moon at the time of our visit greatly reduced the number of moths attracted to UV light at the moth sheet, but one small species attracted a lot of attention - a metallic green moth with strange bell-shaped wings. Other insects at the moth sheet includes the metalmark Anteos renaldus, a huge lantern bug, and praying mantises.

On several occasions we went by longboat to explore various trails and lagoons, and to visit the large island at the mouth of the Rio Cristalino. Each site produced butterfly species that were new to us, and each river journey provided us with sightings of beautiful kingfishers. The bird which excited us most however was the very beautiful and graceful Capped Heron, which we saw on 3 occasions. Tapirs, which we had seen several times on our first tour in 2005, were not seen on this tour.

Our most memorable encounter was with a vast Anaconda. Our guide had discovered it the previous day, and took us to the spot. With some trepidation we clambered up the bank of the river, and found the huge snake staring straight at us from a distance of less than 2 metres. Fortunately for us it had recently eaten, it's belly greatly distended by it's previous meal, probably a Capybara or Giant River Otter, both of which we saw frequently on the river. We estimated the snake to be about 8 metres long !