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!

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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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!

Julia Heliconian

The Julia Heliconian (my gallery link) was also prevalent at Maquenque as in my garden, another favorite butterfly. Here’s the distinctive side view and top view . . .

Julia Heliconian, Maquenque Eco Lodge, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Julia Heliconian, Maquenque Eco Lodge, Alajuela, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

Red Postman

The Red Postman, Heliconius erato (my gallery link) is found from Southern Texas in the U.S. south through Mexico, all of Central America and most of South America. It is easily confused with the Postman, Heliconius melpomene rosina (my gallery link), found only in Costa Rica and Panama.

Postman, Heliconius erato, Maquenque Eco Lodge, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

Banded Tigerwing

Maquenque is just the 4th place I’ve seen this Banded Tigerwing, Aeria eurimedia (my gallery link) and all four locations were on the Caribbean Slope of Costa Rica, with the other 3 right on the coast at Tortuguero, Cahuita and Gandoca-Manzanilla. A beautiful butterfly that seems to always give me opportunity for both top view and side view photos. 🙂 That’s the two views that “identifiers” want. 🙂

Banded Tigerwing, Maquenque Eco Lodge & Reserve, Boca Tapada, Costa Rica
Banded Tigerwing, Maquenque Eco Lodge & Reserve, Boca Tapada, Alajuela, Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida!

Maquenque Eco Lodge & Reserve

Rainforest Experience