The Journey Begins: Meambar National Park
Wednesday, 1/10/2024
We started the day and the Honduras Butterfly Festival 2024 with early morning birding before breakfast, then headed to Meambar National Park. Stopping at a creek crossing before reaching the park entrance, we looked for butterflies along the road, finding Harmonia Tigerwing (Tithorea harmonia salvadoris) and Banded Tigerwing (Aeria eurimedia pacific). We continued into the park after spending an hour or so along the road. Our first stop in the park was a quick walk to the canopy tower, where we encountered a beautiful White-centered Ruby-eye (Cobalus fidicula). While on the tower, we spotted several good butterflies, including Blue-stitched Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte patelina), Aureola Leafwing (Memphis aureola), and a Golden Euselasia (Euselasia chrysippe). Lunchtime was fast approaching so we made our way down the tower picking up one of our primary targets for this site, Rusted Clearwing-Satyr (Cithaerias pireta pireta).
After lunch on the terrace, we continued our adventure with a hike to the waterfall in the afternoon, and on the hike back, some of us were treated to good views of a small troupe of white-nosed coatis. As we were getting ready to load onto the bus to head back to our lodge, we got word of a cooperative Gold-edged Owl-Butterfly (Caligo uranus) just up the trail. So, of course, we all had to go and take a look. We wrapped up the day with a checklist before dinner and a fun game of pool.
The Verdant BioParque Paradise
Thursday, 1/11/2024
Early morning started with birding before breakfast, followed by a trip to BioParque. Immediately upon arriving we found a cooperative perched Rayed Sister (Adelpha melanthe) and an incredibly bright Cell-barred Metalmark (Mesene phareus). After the excitement of the Cell-barred Metalmark died down, we ventured across the river to explore the Mistflower gardens. As we stepped off the bridge, we noticed a little brown flash, which turned out to be a county record, Subrufescens Skipper (Vertica subrufescens).
Continuing on into the first garden, we turned up a male White-banded Metalmark (Hypophylla sudias). The butterfly action was a little slow, so we worked our way to the second Mistflower garden. Here we located two great Hairstreaks, Fine-lined Hairstreak (Arawacus sito) and Cupentus Hairstreak (Cupathecla cupentus), and a stunning female Silvered Ruby-eye (Lycas argentea).
We enjoyed a nice lunch under the shelter near the main building and then continued to explore the beautiful grounds after our midday respite. As we were walking back to the Mistflower gardens we located a couple of Fiery Euselasias (Erythia aurantiaca aurantiaca) just over the trail. Of course, just as we were ready to hop onto the bus, a Syedra Hairstreak (Strephonota syedra) showed up and posed nicely for photos.
Later, we stopped in Peña Blanca for souvenirs and groceries. Before dinner, we went through our checklist. Post-dinner, several of us stayed at the restaurant to work on photos and identifications.
Ethereal Encounters at Emerald Valley, Honduras Butterfly Festival 2024
Friday, 1/12/2024
Early morning birding before breakfast and a journey to Emerald Valley on a hot sunny day. This was our first day of three at Emerald Valley. We had a brief introduction to the property, and then we were off exploring the various gardens. We soon had our first look at Tiger Mimic-White (Dismorphia amphione) and Sky-blue Hairstreak (Pseudolycaena damo). The Porterweed gardens were hopping with sulphurs and swallowtails. In the main Mistflower garden we noted two species skippers, Corusca Skipper (Oxynthes corusca) and Glamis Skipper (Cyclosma glamis).
A great lunch was enjoyed under the shelter, and our day ended with some time spent capturing photos of hairstreaks from atop a ladder. Again, as were preparing to leave for the day, a couple of Hairstreaks we seen on some Black Sage. We found and ladder and took turns photographing Pearly Hairstreak (Theritas theocritus) and Amyntor Greenstreak (Cyanophrys amyntor). The day ended with a checklist session before dinner, and later, several individuals dedicated their time to working on photos and identifications post-dinner.
Saturday, 1/13/2024
The morning began with birdwatching before breakfast, where we had a delightful encounter with a Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) by the lake. On the second day at Emerald Valley, local children joined us for part of the day, enjoying activities like coloring pictures.
Upon arrival at Emerald Valley and stepping out of the truck, we swiftly spotted a rare metalmark butterfly, the Black-edged Euselasia (Euselasia cataleuca). The gardens were lively once more. Today, we were treated to a marvelous sighting of the Emerald Valley endemic Ellie’s Emesis (Emesis eleanorae). We were the first international group to witness this butterfly. Shortly after our encounter with Ellie’s Emesis, we came across our only Clearwinged Mimic-White (Dismorphia theucharila fortunate) of the trip feeding on a Black Sage. Following lunch, we had an exciting moment in the upper Mistflower garden with a rare sighting of the Greater Metalmark (Synargis nymphidioides). As we were getting ready to depart, we examined the Black Sage for hairstreaks and rediscovered the Pearly Hairstreak (Denivia theocritus) once more. While photographing it, we received news of an Alternate Ruby-eye (Talides alternata) posing for pictures. Before dinner, we completed a checklist, and after dinner, several participants dedicated time to working on photos and identifications.
Sunday, 1/14/2024
Birdwatching at dawn set the day’s tone. On the festival’s last day, everyone returned to Emerald Valley to bask in its tranquility. Amidst the fluttering butterflies drawn to the mistflowers, we all were able to photograph an incredibly cooperative open-winged Common Morpho (Morpho helenor) as well as the less common Stub-tailed Morpho (Morpho theseus). Additionally, we saw several interesting skippers: Blue-glossed Skipper (Onophas columbaria), Osca Skipper (Rhinthon osca), and Glorious Blue-Skipper (Paches glorious). We savored a midday barbecue featuring grilled meat and vegetable kebabs in the shelter, served with potato salad, beans, salad, and tortillas. Participants engaged in photo editing and identification activities after dinner, enriching the shared experience.
The Journey Ends for Some
Monday, 1/15/2024
Early morning birding preceded breakfast, followed by the departure of half of our group to the airport in San Pedro Sula to head home. Meanwhile, those who remained joined us for the three-day Honduras Butterfly Festival 2024 extension at Emerald Valley. Shortly after arriving at Emerald Valley, we spotted a Yellow-rimmed Scarlet-eye (Porphyrogenes calathana calanus) and a fresh Widespread Myscelus (Myscelus amystis hages) on the Mistflowers. We savored the delicious fish tacos that we were served for lunch. During the day a Red Costa Metalmark (Simachia probetor) was seen by a couple in the group. In the evening, after sunset in Emerald Valley, we embarked on a walk, encountering several Scalloped Owl-Butterflies (Opsiphanes quiteria), a Common Pauraque, a large spider, and mesmerizing lightning bugs.
Tuesday, 1/16/2024
Today was a great day for spotting hairstreak butterflies, as we managed to observe twelve different species. Some of the noteworthy discoveries included the Bitias Hairstreak (Panthiades bitias), Keila Hairstreak (Ostrinotes keila), Gray Ministreak (Ministrymon azia), Hesperitis Groundstreak (Ziegleria hesperitis), and Ligurina Hairstreak (Kolana ligurina). However, one of the most thrilling sighting was a Stoll’s Sarota metalmark (Sarota chrysus). We finished our checklist just before dinner at Emerald Valley.
Wednesday, 1/17/2024
The day started with cooler, overcast weather, allowing just an hour and a half of butterfly watching in the morning at Emerald Valley before the rain arrived. During the rain break, we relaxed on Robert’s front porch, savoring ginger tea with honey. The sunshine returned after about thirty minutes. Stepping off the porch, we were delighted to spot a new butterfly, the Mimic Crescent (Castilia eranites), displaying vibrant orange and black hues. At lunchtime, a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) made a brief appearance, prompting us to use a spotting scope for a closer view. Following lunch, we continued our butterfly observations until a light rain and cooler breezes returned around 1 pm, signaling another tea or coffee break while we reviewed photos. Another rain shower led to more downtime, but the sun briefly emerged before setting, providing one final chance to spot butterflies. The group’s perseverance paid off as we spotted an Ardys Crescent (Anthanassa ardys [n. ssp.]) before dinner, completing our checklist for the day.
Thursday, 1/18/2024
It was time to return home as the Honduras Butterfly Festival 2024 comes to an end.
Honduras Butterfly Festival 2025
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