Photographers dream of finding themselves in an environment filled with the beautiful and exotic. We had many expectations for what we’d see on our trip to Peru’s Manu National Park, one of the most diverse places on Earth.
Sometimes in Manu we had to look in unusual places. We spotted these two beautiful butterflies on a pile of dung. We didn’t even hesitate to snap the photo.
Our heads were down as we hiked (so we could avoid hazards). Others walked right by the tiny mushrooms by the side of the path.
Trees host other plant life, and we particularly liked the festive garlanding of plants around this tree.
We were used to seeing termite nests hanging in trees but came across several of their mud nests on the forest floor.
Remarkable spiders were the norm, and this one might have been the biggest and easiest to photograph.
We saw a large butterfly laying very still on a path. We assumed it was dead and took some photos of its beautiful colors. With no warning, it flew up by our faces and away. Turns out it wasn’t a butterfly but a moth — a double surprise to us.
Flowers, especially those unknown to us, made fascinating photographic subjects.
Photography at Manu did have its challenges. We didn’t realize until the last days why we were having so much difficulty capturing good images. It was not an environment we were used to. Lots of things in the jungle blend in for safety. How to capture the subject when it is so well camouflaghed? The tree canopy was high and foliage could be thick. Even at mid-day, the light was dim. Birds and monkeys were rarely close enough – or still enough – to photograph with our cameras in the dim light. Still, we persevered.
Our nine-day trip wasn’t long enough for all there was to see. It was truly a “trip of a lifetime,” and we just wish our photographs could have reflected that.
July 2016
Note: Before our visit to Peru, we did lots of research and chose Manu Expeditions’ 9-day “THE COMPLETE MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE EXPERIENCE.”
simpletravelourway 
Love all the smaller details you captured – particularly the moth and mushrooms. Wonderful photographs!
Great photos – you did well to capture images that most people would miss.
Thx!
It looks to me like you got just the right amount of photos to compliment your memories!
You may be right, and, oh, how we enjoy the digital versus the old film process! Take as many photos as we like, select what we like, delete the rest.
I love your moth photo. Do you know how to tell the difference between butterflies and moths? Butterflies rest with their wings closed up while moths rest with their wings opened out flat!
Hey, that’s something we didn’t know. Thanks!
I learned that teaching Year Two Science!
I think you did a fantastic job of capturing the magic of Manu. Especially like the moth and mini mushrooms.
Thx! It was easier to photo the individual parts than the overall aspect of the jungle.
More magnificent photos! You are the best.
Betsy
On Sun, Aug 14, 2016 at 11:37 AM, simpletravelourway wrote:
> simpletravelourway posted: “Photographers dream of finding themselves in > an environment filled with the beautiful and exotic. We had many > expectations for what we’d see on our trip to Peru’s Manu National Park, > one of the most diverse places on Earth. ” >