On location
Probably one of the wettest places I've ever been, I was rained out 7 out of the 10 days I was there, with rains often lasting days rather than hours. However, it was also one of the most atmospheric places, with beautiful hills and valleys and waterfalls at every turn:
Sumaco is relatively unexplored, especially deeper into the national park. This is partly due to lack of infrastructure and difficulty in obtaining permits, but also in large part due to a rather treacherous topography. Undoubtedly many new species await discovery.
Orchid bloom (Sobralia sp.):
Sleeping orchid bee (Euglossa mixta) which collects the fragrances of orchids in the form of oils, using specialized spatulate legs to scrape the flower:
Juvenile moss-mimicking stick insect:
Grasshopper with cordyceps infection:
Assassin bug with millipede prey. Millipedes are rarely targeted by predators since they typically release toxic compounds like cyanide when threatened. However, some insects have adapted to puncture the armoured carapace, and resist the millipede's biochemical defences:
Moulting stick insect:
Gray four-eyed opossum (Philandra opossum):
Out of reach:
Thanks for looking and commenting,
Paul
Sumaco NP: Ecuador Part II
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