Outstanding Reptile Photography - P1 - A3 (Admin Invite Only)
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This O. sylvatica was found early in the year but remained my favorite find of 2016. Check out how we are trying to protect O. sylvatica at www.savethechoco.com.
#savethechoco
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
One of the best specimens of this species I've encountered.
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This little gem reaches 17mm fully grown. Getting to the spot was a hell of a challenge and then finding one that didn't shoot out like a cannon was another. This species was originally thought to be another species because it is so drastically different than the other populations.
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
These are the most common glass frog you will come across on the western slopes. I didn't have my camera with me but I finally witnessed two males fighting. The one individual ended up dangling from the other frogs leg, eventually to be kicked off.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Please check out www.savethechoco.com to find out more about what we are doing to try to help protect amazing amphibians like Hypsiboas picturatus.
#savethechoco
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This species is listed as Near Threatened. It is abundant in southern Ecuador but declining habitat is of concern. I was lucky to see a couple different morphs but this was my favorite.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
I hope to perfect my wide angle game. This was one of my first attempts. I had to crop in about 15% but it's a start. Unfortunately this population hasn't been seen since which was over a year ago. I hope they are still holding it down way up stream.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
With the sad news of the Rabbs' fringe-limbed tree frog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) extinction, I'll be posting some of the critically endangered amphibians I've seen in the wild. According to the IUCN Red List, one third of the 6,260 amphibian species assessed are globally threatened or extinct. As sad as the news is, I'm optimistic for the future of amphibians because there are many great people and groups out there fighting for them.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Posting some of my favorites from the 20 15. Jaime put work into finding this gem.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Here is one last look at H. aureoguttatum's transparent ventral surface. You can clearly see its heart, lungs, and intestinal tract. These little frogs are one of the many fascinating creatures that call the Chocó home.
#savethechoco #amphibians #conservation
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This species range is expansive. It can be found as far north as Costa Rica and as far south as Bolivia. This was found in southern Ecuador near the border of Peru.
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Listed vulnerable (Ecuadorian Red List, IUCN criteria) #savethechoco #nocropsgiven
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Thalurania furcata
One of the 800 bird (conservative estimate) species that call the Chocó home.
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This was the first encounter with a frog from the genus Gastrotheca. I did not find the frog which was lame but I took the chance to take some quick shots alongside the biologist working with the specimen. I hope to find one on my own one day.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Worked on my wide angle shots a bit more this trip. It was very refreshing to step away from the 100mm.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
(Asio flammeus)
Getting out when the wind is blowing at 50mph and the temp is -25f is sometimes worth it.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This non venomous snake looks menacing but it is gentle natured and extremely slow moving. It is found in the Chocó regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
#savethechoco
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This species is endemic to Ecuador and endangered.
#savethechoco
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
We found this Osteocephalus in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Thanks to Muchmore Design for the ID confirmation.
Thanks for the support. We'll be working on some cool projects focusing on amphibians in the near future. Stay tuned. MUCHMOREDESIGN.COM
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Ok so This is the alternate version of another photo. I didn't like how it turned out as much so I redid it to this. Muchmore happy.
My favorite wildlife encounter of 2015 was this beautiful Atelopus sp. This genus as many know has been greatly affected by chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis so it was great to find these still hanging on in the wild. Stay tuned for some projects relating to amphibians in 2016. I hope everyone has a great new year.
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
I've run into this species a couple of times on the western side of the Andes. It is definitely one of the more beautiful snail-eaters I've encountered.
#savethechoco
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii
I had a great time exploring Jocotoco Foundations Buenaventura reserve. Some really amazing wildlife on their grounds. Check out their site to learn more. www.fjocotoco.org
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
It was an O. Sylvatica year. More to come from the Chocó in 2017. I wish everyone the best of luck in 2017.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
Rufous-crowned Antpitta
Pittasoma rufopileatum
One of the most sought after birds in the Chocó is Pittasoma rufopileatum . It is often referred to as the flagship species of the Chocó. This beautiful bird is unmistakable but seldom seen. It rarely leaves the forest floor and lives in very wet lowland rainforest making it very difficult to find. It is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN because of severe deforestation within its elevational range.
Alejandro Solona, a local bird guide, conservationist, and award-winning chocolatier, had a vision. He bought an old dilapidated farm 5 years ago with the idea of growing cacao. Being a birder and conservationist, he wanted to make sure his vision was beneficial to the earth. When his group first arrived, they recorded 54 species of birds on the grounds. 5 years later they have 156 recorded thanks to the reintroduction of native plants and trees. One of the most important finds on Alejandro’s property is the Pittasoma rufopileatum . For the last year and a half, Alejandro has been working on building a relationship with these birds. Each morning he collects insects in a jar before starting his hike up the hill behind his farm. When he gets to the top he calls for the birds hoping to get a response back. When he does, he then has to locate where they are calling from, eventually making his way to the birds. If the day is a success, the bird will pop out, grab a couple of insects and then vanish back into the understory.
Alejandro understands the value of nature. He decided to build a local business with the environment in mind. Not only has his vision produced amazing chocolate, fruit, vegetables, and provided locals with jobs. It has also provided a glimpse into the world of a bird that very poorly understood. Alejandro and team have also been working with local farmers to protect the remaining forest in the area to build a corridor up the Mashpi Lodge reserve. I highly recommend paying Alejandro a visit. Bird or not you'll still walk away with some amazing chocolate. I walked away excited to see such a bird but even more excited to learn about Alejandro's passion for the Chocó.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
It's awesome when you don't even realize you're looking at a lifer until you check the range maps when you get home.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
This small species of salamander is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Check out www.savethechoco.com to learn more.
#savethechoco
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.
I try to remind myself to photograph everthing as if I'll never see it again. This little frog is characterized as least concern but if you do a google search there are not photographs of this species in the wild.
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copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.