David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus). Mountain toucan that can reach the cloud forest. Distribution: Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador from 800 to 2100 m asl, occasionally lower. Here in Valle del Cauca department, Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Colourful and with a not very pleasant wet wood scent, Bulbophyllum bicolor flowering at home. Pretty easy to grow in temperate to warm climate, not very water demanding compared to local orchids. Distribution: south China, Taiwan, Laos, Thaíland, Vietnam
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Colourful and with a not very pleasant wet wood scent, Bulbophyllum bicolor flowering at home. Pretty easy to grow in temperate to warm climate, not very water demanding compared to local orchids. Distribution: south China, Taiwan, Laos, Thaíland, Vietnam
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
As simple as efficient, the beauty of Andesanthus lepidotus (synonym Tibouchina lepidota, Melastomataceae family). Locally called "Siete Cueros" (seven skins) for its bark often renews. Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. Distribution: Panama to Peru.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Golden-naped Tanager (Chalcothraupis ruficervix), present in evergreen mountain forest, forest border and secondary forests. Distribution: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia from 1100 to 2400 m asl. Here in Valle del Cauca sept, Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Anthurium sp. with an almost black flower in situ during a 5 days orchids, botany and nature observation tour I guided for 2 persons. We saw 73 orchid species blooming in situ in Valle del Cauca department, Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
The incredible verrucose callus of the lip of Epidendrum weerakitianum in situ ! I observed it for the first time in the forest where I live on a Christmas walk, although we already had it registered further north. Endemic (exclusive) from Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
I remade pics of Cattleya lueddemanniana at home. This time with morning sun, it changes a lot the colors compared to older ones I made in the end of the afternoon (see in comments), Interesting to see how light has a strong influence from the same place
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Kohleria affinis (Gesneriaceae family). Extraordinary plant, so elegant and proliferous old specimen in well conserved cloud forest ! Seen during a 5 days orchids, botany and nature observation tour I guided for 2 persons in Valle del Cauca dept, Colombia
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
I remade pics of Cattleya lueddemanniana at home. This time with morning sun, it changes a lot the colors compared to older ones I made in the end of the afternoon (see in comments), Interesting to see how light has a strong influence from the same place
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Trichopilia hennisiana in situ during a very diversified 30 days tour I guided last year for Nature Experience, managing to observe more than 300 orchid species blooming in situ more many other endemic plants, birds, insects. Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Huge Anthurium recavum (endemic from Colombia) with Guzmania cf. rauhiana in situ, during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience (235 WILD ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING). Valle del Cauca department.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Tillandsia stipitata or Tillandsia ionochroma in situ in Tolima dept. during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience and Tolima BioDiversa Expediciones (235 WILD ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING) in Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Guzmania cf. rosea (Bromeliaceae family) in situ during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience (191 WILD ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING) in Colombia. Valle del Cauca department.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Sobralia violacea in situ, flower last 1 day, precisely during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience and Tolima Biodiversa expediciones (191 WILD ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING) in Colombia. Tolima dept.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Cyclopogon epiphyticus in situ. Asian "jewel orchids" are famous for their coloured leaves, but Colombia also has some orchids with particularly aesthetic foliage. A species growing epiphytic, contrary to other species of this genus which are terrestrials
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Cattleya lueddemanniana blooming at home. Though it is not its national flower (which is Cattleya mossiae), for me this is the queen of orchids of Venezuela (from where it is endemic). This lip makes me think about a lava flow on the flanks of a volcano.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis lip, dark variety with very good shape. I don't like to use flash and almost never do, but I tried to see... Too much light reverberation for me, in this case showing how glistening can be this species, that allows more sharpness
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Cattleya lueddemanniana blooming at home. Though it is not its national flower (which is Cattleya mossiae), for me this is the queen of orchids of Venezuela (from where it is endemic). This lip makes me think about a lava flow on the flanks of a volcano.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
It is known that sloth eat leaves from trees but also, as shown here, tree cork (Melastomataceae family) that could bring them some nutrients or maybe medicinal protection (detoxification ?)... Hoffmann's two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmannii). Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis, average variety with good shape. I don't like to use flash and almost never do, but I tried to see... Too much light reverberation for me, in this case showing how glistening can be this species, but that allows more sharpness.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis, dark variety with very good shape. I don't like to use flash and almost never do, but I tried to see... Too much light reverberation for me, in this case showing how glistening can be this species, but that allows more sharpness
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Huge (55 cm) Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii). during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience (235 WILD ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING) in Colombia. Valle del Cauca dept.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Cattleya lueddemanniana blooming at home. Though it is not its national flower (which is Cattleya mossiae), for me this is the queen of orchids of Venezuela (from where it is endemic). This lip makes me think about a lava flow on the flanks of a volcano.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Golden-plumed Parakeet (Leptopsittaca branickii), endangered because of habitat loss, during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience (235 WILD ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING) in Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
The colourful Epidendrum arachnoglossum during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience and Tolima BioDiversa Expediciones (235 ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING IN SITU) . Here in Tolima dept, Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
The endemic Cattleya quadricolor high on a tree during an EXCEPTIONAL 14 DAYS TOUR I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience and Tolima BioDiversa Expediciones (235 ORCHID SPECIES BLOOMING IN SITU) . Valle del Cauca dept, Colombia.
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Some landscapes have the knack to inspire you, like this view from Combeima Canyon photographed during a tour I guided for the French Orchid Federation, where you feel very small as a human in front of these cliffs and forests in Tolima depart in Colombia
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
The big flowered Telipogon antioquianus (around 6 cm) in situ, during a tour I guided for the French Orchid Federation with Nature Experience and Tolima BioDiversa Expediciones growing at high altitude from Venezuela to Peru. Here in Tolima dept, Colombia
David Haelterman NatureguideColombia:
Exceptional observation! The Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis). during a tour I guided. Endangered species, depending on wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense) to nest and feed although it can eat other fruits as in this vidéo. Tolima dept, Colombia
