We did manage to get out on the weekend for a small expedition, to see a working farm/ranch and some remnant oak and gallery forest near Gualaco. This was a muddy undertaking, as there had been some considerable rain the night before. We did see some cool stuff, including this Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans).
![IMG_3367](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_3367.jpg?w=714)
The scrubby ranchlands do not have very large trees,
![IMG_3375](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_3375.jpg?w=714)
Catherine and I rode this horse, which had a fresh vampire bite wound on its neck, across the river. That is our host, Don Rafael, on the right.
![IMG_3384](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_3384.jpg?w=714)
We checked out some cattle up the road, and their parasitic flies as well.
![IMG_3506](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_3506.jpg?w=714)
Upon returning home, we did some shooting of insects and spiders. This is some kind of blister beetle (Meloidae). Catherine has more spider photos here.
![IMG_3444](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_3444.jpg)
A nice jumper that we found inside our window.
![IMG_3467](http://ibycter.mango.mikeboers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img_3467.jpg)
Tortoise beetles are awesome!