Post by trehopr1 on Feb 4, 2022 14:37:20 GMT -8
In may of 1989 I would embark on my 2nd "exotic" expedition
to the tropics. It was a (group) lepidopterists trip led by
the eminent Dr. Tom Emmel. Tom began hosting his (Lepi) excursions
(I believe) in 1982 so, by 1989 he and the travel agency that
he worked with had things pretty well sorted out for folks.
His trips continued all thru the 1990's and ended in the early
2000's. His trips hit parts of Central and South America, a couple
locals in Africa (Kenya being one), Dominican Republic, Thailand,
and even the Solomon Islands.
Wherever you landed you came with net in hand (along with your gear).
Accommodations had been pre-arranged and were mostly quite good. Just
a matter of getting there by bus; after which you would offload, get
settled and be "small game hunter" for a week or two !
Upon our landing in the capital city of La Paz where we overnighted;
we would find ourselves spending the better part of the next day in
travel to our (1st of 2) collecting locals in the Yungas (lowlands).
Bolivia is incredibly scenic once you get past the Altiplano region
(outside of La Paz). However, that takes roughly 2 hours by bus (and
maybe a little more). Our bus made a stop around the 12,000 foot
elevation so, we could all stretch and (maybe) catch some high altitude
Colias. Unfortunately, a light rain did away with those thoughts but,
DANG it was beautiful in that mountainous pass !
From that point going forward we would be traveling for at least 8 hours
on the treacherous North Yungas road. Truly scenic, certainly adventurous,
and AT TIMES a little nail-biting !!
Here is a brief summary of that well known road.
Fortunately, our capable driver did very well at his task and we only
ALL had to disembark (twice) for safety reasons (around a couple turns).
About halfway down that switchback road our driver stopped for us to
stretch (and so he could briefly rest). It was here we were all treated
to this marvelous "vision" of a mountain chalet nearby our stop.
As mentioned earlier, our Lepi group would wind up staying at
2 different lowland elevations over the next 2 weeks. Butterflies
were plentiful, mothing was poor due to inadequate power (for
everyone at once) and not much rain.
However, wherever you looked there was tropical rainforest all
around and occasional scenic "babbling" brooks like this one I
snapped a good picture of...
Of coarse, the REAL reason for all this adventure was the "thrill of the exotic hunt"
and when it came to butterflies Bolivia did not disappoint. Why, just me and my
net alone managed 73 species of butterflies while there. AND I didn't even have
a bait trap or otherwise lure to assist. Yep, just me and my net !
Anyway, the other day whilst admiring some of my hard won personal treasures
of Bolivia 1989; I decided to snap a picture of a drawer I have featuring (half) of
the species that I encountered there. I still have yet to add others to the drawer
and will likely nearly (fill) another by the time I'm done.
These are only my representative best examples in the drawer; my duplicates
are in other drawers.
If you ever get to go on an exotic collecting trip the
memories will carry you a lifetime !
to the tropics. It was a (group) lepidopterists trip led by
the eminent Dr. Tom Emmel. Tom began hosting his (Lepi) excursions
(I believe) in 1982 so, by 1989 he and the travel agency that
he worked with had things pretty well sorted out for folks.
His trips continued all thru the 1990's and ended in the early
2000's. His trips hit parts of Central and South America, a couple
locals in Africa (Kenya being one), Dominican Republic, Thailand,
and even the Solomon Islands.
Wherever you landed you came with net in hand (along with your gear).
Accommodations had been pre-arranged and were mostly quite good. Just
a matter of getting there by bus; after which you would offload, get
settled and be "small game hunter" for a week or two !
Upon our landing in the capital city of La Paz where we overnighted;
we would find ourselves spending the better part of the next day in
travel to our (1st of 2) collecting locals in the Yungas (lowlands).
Bolivia is incredibly scenic once you get past the Altiplano region
(outside of La Paz). However, that takes roughly 2 hours by bus (and
maybe a little more). Our bus made a stop around the 12,000 foot
elevation so, we could all stretch and (maybe) catch some high altitude
Colias. Unfortunately, a light rain did away with those thoughts but,
DANG it was beautiful in that mountainous pass !
From that point going forward we would be traveling for at least 8 hours
on the treacherous North Yungas road. Truly scenic, certainly adventurous,
and AT TIMES a little nail-biting !!
Here is a brief summary of that well known road.
Fortunately, our capable driver did very well at his task and we only
ALL had to disembark (twice) for safety reasons (around a couple turns).
About halfway down that switchback road our driver stopped for us to
stretch (and so he could briefly rest). It was here we were all treated
to this marvelous "vision" of a mountain chalet nearby our stop.
As mentioned earlier, our Lepi group would wind up staying at
2 different lowland elevations over the next 2 weeks. Butterflies
were plentiful, mothing was poor due to inadequate power (for
everyone at once) and not much rain.
However, wherever you looked there was tropical rainforest all
around and occasional scenic "babbling" brooks like this one I
snapped a good picture of...
Of coarse, the REAL reason for all this adventure was the "thrill of the exotic hunt"
and when it came to butterflies Bolivia did not disappoint. Why, just me and my
net alone managed 73 species of butterflies while there. AND I didn't even have
a bait trap or otherwise lure to assist. Yep, just me and my net !
Anyway, the other day whilst admiring some of my hard won personal treasures
of Bolivia 1989; I decided to snap a picture of a drawer I have featuring (half) of
the species that I encountered there. I still have yet to add others to the drawer
and will likely nearly (fill) another by the time I'm done.
These are only my representative best examples in the drawer; my duplicates
are in other drawers.
If you ever get to go on an exotic collecting trip the
memories will carry you a lifetime !
