Now Playing Tracks

We’re in the Philippines now!  We are staying at the foot of the volcano Mt. Makiling, guests of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos TREES program.  I have more WWII related photos to upload from Peleliu and Angaur, but for now, here are some of the birds and butterflies we saw today!  Bird species are identified in the image, butter fly species are, clockwise from top:  Neptis mindorana, Zethera pimplea female, Zethera pimplea male (found together), Troides rhadamanthus (Golden Bird Wing). The Golden Bird Wing, as its name suggests, was HUGE.  Easily larger than many bird species, it was about the size of a swiftlet in flight. P.S. Also, please mind my addled brain typos in the bird labels it should be LuzonTarictic Hornbill and Plain-throated Sunbird.  (Though I think a Flame-throated Sunbird might be just a bit more awesome, personally.)
Zoom
We’re in the Philippines now!  We are staying at the foot of the volcano Mt. Makiling, guests of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos TREES program.  I have more WWII related photos to upload from Peleliu and Angaur, but for now, here are some of the birds and butterflies we saw today!  Bird species are identified in the image, butter fly species are, clockwise from top:  Neptis mindorana, Zethera pimplea female, Zethera pimplea male (found together), Troides rhadamanthus (Golden Bird Wing). The Golden Bird Wing, as its name suggests, was HUGE.  Easily larger than many bird species, it was about the size of a swiftlet in flight. P.S. Also, please mind my addled brain typos in the bird labels it should be LuzonTarictic Hornbill and Plain-throated Sunbird.  (Though I think a Flame-throated Sunbird might be just a bit more awesome, personally.)
Zoom

We’re in the Philippines now!  We are staying at the foot of the volcano Mt. Makiling, guests of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos TREES program. 

I have more WWII related photos to upload from Peleliu and Angaur, but for now, here are some of the birds and butterflies we saw today! 

Bird species are identified in the image, butter fly species are, clockwise from top:  Neptis mindorana, Zethera pimplea female, Zethera pimplea male (found together), Troides rhadamanthus (Golden Bird Wing).

The Golden Bird Wing, as its name suggests, was HUGE.  Easily larger than many bird species, it was about the size of a swiftlet in flight.

P.S. Also, please mind my addled brain typos in the bird labels it should be LuzonTarictic Hornbill and Plain-throated Sunbird.  (Though I think a Flame-throated Sunbird might be just a bit more awesome, personally.)

twapa: Large gecko (Gekko sp.) found on Angaur, Palau.  This may be an undescribed endemic species (related to Gekko vittatus) as per Crombie & Pregill, 1999.  G and I found this guy in our bathroom on the Micronesian island of Angaur.  According to the paper cited above, the authors believe it to be an undescribed species related to the Sago Gecko of Indonesia and New Guinea! He was a little upset after I first caught him, opening his mouth and threatening to bite, but after I released his head he calmed down and climbed all over me, not attempting to flee.  He’s easily the largest gecko I’ve ever found in the wild!  What a fun friend to make.
Zoom Info
twapa: Large gecko (Gekko sp.) found on Angaur, Palau.  This may be an undescribed endemic species (related to Gekko vittatus) as per Crombie & Pregill, 1999.  G and I found this guy in our bathroom on the Micronesian island of Angaur.  According to the paper cited above, the authors believe it to be an undescribed species related to the Sago Gecko of Indonesia and New Guinea! He was a little upset after I first caught him, opening his mouth and threatening to bite, but after I released his head he calmed down and climbed all over me, not attempting to flee.  He’s easily the largest gecko I’ve ever found in the wild!  What a fun friend to make.
Zoom Info

twapa:

Large gecko (Gekko sp.) found on Angaur, Palau. 

This may be an undescribed endemic species (related to Gekko vittatus) as per Crombie & Pregill, 1999. 

G and I found this guy in our bathroom on the Micronesian island of Angaur.  According to the paper cited above, the authors believe it to be an undescribed species related to the Sago Gecko of Indonesia and New Guinea!


He was a little upset after I first caught him, opening his mouth and threatening to bite, but after I released his head he calmed down and climbed all over me, not attempting to flee.  He’s easily the largest gecko I’ve ever found in the wild!  What a fun friend to make.

live-life-to-the-fullerest

live-life-to-the-fullerest asked:

your life seems so fun, do you go diving? or spear fishing if so where do you recommend a great place for diving :D

Thanks!  Having a fun life is all about making it a priority and working towards it little bit, by little bit!  Yes, I do dive, and in my opinion the best place to dive is the one nearest to you, where you can learn to be comfortable with it and do it safely - after that - if you have the time and money, Dahab in Egypt on the Red Sea and the Palau islands in the pacific cannot be beat!  I have never been spear fishing but I’d certainly be willing to try it!

To Tumblr, Love Pixel Union