ipernity: 2001 Belize by Tony James

Folder: Central America

A trip to Central America to stay at the "Birding" farm Crystal Paradise on the side of the Macal River on the outskirts of the village of Crysto Rey. It was not far from the town of San Ignacio in central Belize a few miles from the Guatamala border. A lot of these pictures are still frames from our Digital Video camera. The flight was indirect, via Cancun in Mexico and using a small Mexican li… (read more)

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63 Papilio thoas (The King Swallowtail)

16 Sep 2013

128

One of the many beautiful Butterflies feeding in the sand patch on the side of the Macal River down the track from the Farm. Horse riders crossed the river from here, so inevitably there were patches left by the horses occasionally, and word got around these flyers very quickly. DV video frame.

64 Neographium philolaus xanticles (Dark Kite Swal…

16 Sep 2013

155

Another beautiful Papilio butterfly which occasionally landed to take in the minerals. DV video frame.

65 Automeris sps Larva

22 Jul 2015

136

Found on a nearby night walk, this larva is best left alone, as it has urticaceous spines which can give a nasty sting.

66 Pseudosermyle phalangiflora Female

22 Jul 2015

136

Diapheromerinae - Bodylength: 75mm. Found on a night walk nearby, this small Phasmid was fairly common. It is easy to culture, and was distributed to the Phasmid Study Group members in 2002.

67 Pseudosermyle phalangiflora Male

22 Jul 2015

209

Diapheromerinae - Bodylength: 55mm. Found on a night walk nearby, this small Phasmid was fairly common. It is easy to culture, and was distributed to the Phasmid Study Group members in 2002.

68 A Feeding Tick

22 Jul 2015

133

Walking the daytime tracks, we discovered that we had picked up some Ticks whilst brushing through grass heads, and had to eliminate them with insecticide and an instant shower. Thenceforth, we only stuck to non-grassy trails. Later we found that in Maya times this area was known as the "Valley of the Ticks".

69 Deep Jungle Walk

22 Jul 2015

134

On a day trip with some American friends, we visited their property across the river, and were left to explore the acres of jungle. Having got down to the Macal riverside, we then followed a new gulley back, which turned out to be a dried-up water-way. It was not an easy "walk", more a "scramble", but was better than trying to penetrate the jungle on each side We followed the tortuous terrain back inland again, thankful it was the dry season, so no torrent in this area.

69a A Jungle Waterfall

22 Jul 2015

118

Nearer Crysto Rey, an active torrent was present, showing that water was quite common in the area, and later on our visit to the Che-Chem Ha Caves (see the next series of pictures here) revealed underground ducts which had obviously been sculpted by large amounts of water.

70 Boarding for a Che-Chem Ha Caving Trip

02 Mar 2015

127

A small group of the guests (including us!) at Crystal Paradise joined up to see the Che-Chem Ha cave near the Guatamala border.

70a Macal River Crossing to San Ignacio (New)

22 Jul 2015

128

Heading down river we got a view of one of the two bridges which connect the two main habitations, San Ignacio and Santa Elena, together to make the principal township here.

71 A San Ignacio Street

02 Mar 2015

117

Travelling through the bustling main town of San Ignacio. DV video frame.

72 Buses at the San Ignacio Terminal

02 Mar 2015

177

Belize buses were all nicely decorated often with personal flair. We had travelled in by bus previously to do some shopping, and all sorts of items were carried on them as well as passengers. DV video frame.

73 An interesting Garage Advertisement

02 Mar 2015

106

Showing a new concept in driving! We called in here at San Ignacio, as the Minibus began to sound rough, and so we had to wait then for a replacement to be brought to us to take over the excursion. DV video frame.