PhiLep Butterfly Photography Trip May 2017

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, Negros Island, Philippines.

Day 1. The group departed around 7 am from Dumaguete City by van to the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park located in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. The drive was almost an hour with scenic views of the mountains and the sea. Once we reached the entrance, we immediately went to the restaurant to have breakfast while watching the lake from the viewing deck. The group went to the trail that leads to another viewing deck of the lake while looking for butterflies to photograph. Common butterflies along the trail were Faun butterfly (Faunis phaon), which is a brown butterfly that prefers to fly along the trails which occasionally stops as if observing the visitors. The striped ringlet butterfly is another commoner (Ragadia luzonia) that likes perch on ferns along with Jamides spp. and the Wallacean butterfly (Zethera musides).

The highlight of the day was the archduke butterfly, Lexias satrapes that flies near the ground while exposing its metallic blue coloration on the upperside, and Lexias panopus which was spotted occasionally. We were able to photograph several species of butterflies on our first day!

The group departed back to Dumaguete City around 4 pm to have a group dinner which also included discussions by Jade Badon on butterfly conservation and research in the park.

Day 2. The group departed around 7:30 am and reached the park around 8:30 to have breakfast. For the second day, we headed to a small lake near the entrance to explore the surroundings. We spotted several species such as Ptychandra sp. which looks like a blue morpho butterfly when it opens its wings and show its metallic purple coloration, and Phalantha phalanta which was ovipositing on its hostplant. The group decided to walk along a trail near the restaurant which we spotted the Lexias satrapes butterfly flying back and forth. The area is also known for its several species of birds which we spotted some while looking for butterflies, such as the Negros Hornbill and Sunbirds. The day was full of fun and discussions on basic biology and ecology of butterflies while waiting along the trails.

Day 3. We packed our lunches and departed around 7:30 am and headed to the Casaroro Waterfall which is situated at the base of Mount Talinis. The hike towards the waterfall and trail near the parking lot was full of surprise such Jamides spp., Zethera musides, Celarchus hermarchus, Moduza nuydai, Yphima sempera, Tanaecia lupina, Elymnias sansoni, and many more!