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Royal Firetip

I finished the Maquenque photos and posted some of my June garden photos and still way behind on processing July garden photos, when I photographed 7 species of birds and 31 species of butterflies in my garden! To start the July garden photos, here’s a favorite . . .

The Royal Firetip – Mysoria barcastus (my gallery link) as one of those unusual butterflies in Costa Rica (Found only from Southern Mexico to Costa Rica) that I’ve been fortunate to see several times, all either in my garden or nearby here in Atenas. 🙂 Here’s 3 shots from this sighting in my garden last month (July 2026) . . .

Royal Firetip, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Cecropterus Genus – Cloudywings

I’ve been unable to identify this butterfly I observed in my garden in June and iNaturalist helped me to put it in this Genus Cecropterus, generally referred to as “Cloudywings.” I’m hoping that after I post it on both iNaturalist and BAMONA, some butterfly specialist will identify it. It is similar to some other butterflies I’ve seen, so it is possible it will join another species I’ve earlier identified. We will see! 🙂

Cecropterus Genus, one of the “Cloudywings.”

¡Pura Vida!

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Calephelis Genus

I’m beginning to place more of my unidentified butterflies into their probable genus or even a broader tribe or family, thanks to the folks at iNaturalist who encourage that and their very helpful AI helps me choose which level to put it in. This one from June at my house really fits the Calephelis Genus but I simply cannot identify the species and hopefully when I post it on both iNaturalist and BAMONA at the end of the month as my June observations, some “identifier” or butterfly specialist will have an identity. 🙂 But until then, this observation will stay with several other similar ones in my gallery Calephelis Genus. (linked)

Calephelis Genus Butterfly, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Giant White

This one might be as common in parts of North America as here, the Giant White – Ganyra josephina (my gallery link). One of the many new species showing up in June when the wind was not blowing. 🙂

Giant White, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Variable Cracker

First Cracker I’ve seen in Atenas outside my garden, this one on a telephone pole between my house and the RV front gate. That metal strap on the power line pole takes away from the naturalness of the butterfly, but it is otherwise a good, clear photo by my cheap android telephone. 🙂 See more of this species in my gallery Variable Cracker. All of the others are on my Cecropia Tree.

Variable Cracker, Residential Roca Verde, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

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Dark Apricot Sulphur

One of my frequently seen Sulphur is this Dark Apricot Sulphur, Phoebis argante (my gallery link). Note that the top of wings are a solid bright yellow while the bottom of wings (or side view) is a darker yellow with lots of brown spots.

Dark Apricot Sulphur, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Maquenque Trip Gallery Done!

Wow! Not easy and not quick! I always have a lot of photos to process from Maquenque Lodge and here are the ones that I chose to keep in the appropriate sub-galleries. Click the image of gallery below to go there or use this address: https://charliedoggett.smugmug.com/TRIPS/2026-07-2-7-Maquenque-Lodge-Boca-Tapada

CLICK IMAGE OF GALLERY to go there.

¡Pura Vida!

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Roadside Hawk

This time at Maquenque I saw only one hawk and it is one of the more common in Costa Rica, the Roadside Hawk (my gallery link).

Roadside Hawk, Maquenque Lodge, Boca Tapada, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Roadside Hawk, Maquenque Lodge, Boca Tapada, Alajuela, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

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Jesus Bird?

Yes, that is what a few people call the Northern Jacana (my gallery link) because it supposedly “walks on water” though actually on lily pads and floating grass. They share one thing in common with the Basilisk here called “Jesus Christ Lizard,” again for walking on water. Both have extra large feet for their body sizes and unbelievably long toes! But while the Basilisks do walk (run) on water, the Jacana always walks on lily pads, floating grasses and other float debris. And Maquenque Lodge is a good place to see them as is nearby Caño Negro and pretty much any wetlands in Costa Rica, especially Tortuguero NP and Palo Verde NP from my experience. They are found only from Mexico to Panama.

Another interesting thing about Northern Jacanas is the male/female role reversals. It is the female that holds a territory and defends it and she has concubines of males! Plus, after she lays eggs, it is the male that sits on them and raises the chicks to adulthood. 🙂 Nature is just full of surprises! 🙂

Northern Jacana, Maquenque Lodge, Boca Tapada, Alajuela, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!