Caiman Wearing A Crown Of Butterflies Shows Its Softer Side
Photographer Mark Cowan was travelling through the Amazon studying reptile and amphibian diversity when he stumbled upon an unusual sight… A caiman wearing a crown of butterflies!
But that’s not the unusual part. Actually, this phenomenon where butterflies perch on reptiles and drink their tears full of a much-needed mineral for survival – salt, has been documented before. The unusual thing about this photo is how the butterflies organize themselves into three groups of different species. Pretty cool, huh?
This photo was a finalist for the 2016 Royal Society Publishing photography competition and received special commendation. You can find the other finalists here.
(h/t: thisiscolossal)
33Kviews
Share on FacebookI LOVE this.... I've seen them on turtles, but not gators. GREAT shot!
Something strange here: either the caiman just hatched and is very small, or the butterflies are absolutely huge. In short, it looks a bit out of proportion.
That awkward moment when a Caiman with butterflies looks much better than Lady Gaga in that butterfly dress! Hahaha
I LOVE this.... I've seen them on turtles, but not gators. GREAT shot!
Something strange here: either the caiman just hatched and is very small, or the butterflies are absolutely huge. In short, it looks a bit out of proportion.
That awkward moment when a Caiman with butterflies looks much better than Lady Gaga in that butterfly dress! Hahaha
576
30