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BBC
Films Orchid Bees at the Vallarta Botanical Garden
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Stanhopea radiosa and Euglossine bee in the Vallarta Botanical Garden (Photo: Kevin Flay, BBC)
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Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico - Catching the attention of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the largest broadcaster in the world, requires something extraordinary. Their widely acclaimed natural history documentaries are especially known for showcasing some of the most spectacular and unusual wildlife.
In the case of the Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG), it's not a giant jaguar or a majestic macaw that's grabbed their interest, but rather something quite small and delicate - a tribe of iridescent green and metallic blue native bees that are the exclusive pollinators of some phenomenally exquisite orchids with ingenious mechanisms of pollen transfer.
The bees are not attracted by nectar, of which the orchids make none, but rather visit to compete for glorious fragrances to attract their mates. Competitions often ensue with riveting high-speed spectacles of aerial fights.
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The brushes on an orchid bee's feet, captured with a macro lens.
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Last summer, the BBC sent a team including a producer, researchers, and a camera crew to catch footage of this unique interaction for their documentary series, "México."
Victoria Bromley, the BBC producer of Mountain Worlds, recently wrote about the experience:
"For the 'Mountains' episode we wanted to tell stories on a grand and small scale that would demonstrate the remarkable diversity of Mexico's mountain ranges," she began.
She went on to tell the story of how they started out in the Sierra Gorda, an ecological region centered on the northern third of the state of Querétaro and extending into the neighboring states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí.
"One of our locations, Sierra Gorda, offered us a wealth of potential wildlife stories, so we relied on photographer and conservationist, Roberto Pedraza, as our guide. His family began the NGO Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda, to protect this unique region and he spends his days roaming its vast patchwork of habitats. His photographs, taken over several years, revealed that Sierra Gorda really is a secret garden for orchids. There are over 1,200 species of orchid in Mexico, with many only found at high altitudes, so this seemed like an important element of Mexico's mountain story.
Then I read about the amazing, mutualistic relationship orchids have with the orchid bee. When I saw images of these stunning animals, in their shining green armour, I really wanted to feature them in the programme. Roberto sent me a photograph of these same bees on a Stanhopea orchid in the garden of his house in Sierra Gorda and the pieces began to fall into place," she wrote.
Unfortunately, Stanhopea orchids bloom for just a few days each year, and the flowers have to be in bloom to attract the bees, so the chances of finding and filming the interaction in the vast forests of the Sierra Gorda was next to impossible. So they turned to the expert team at Vallarta Botanical Gardens to increase their chances.
To learn more about how the camera crew captured this natural phenomenon - something that had never been filmed before - at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, read the full article on
BBC.com.
Visit the internationally famous Vallarta Botanical Garden located just 30 minutes south of Old Town at Km. 24 on Highway 200 and easily accessible by public transportation and taxi. This 60 acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden have something fun for everyone. Over 200 species of birds have been observed on the Garden's grounds. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the jungle river. See plantings of vanilla, chocolate, and hundreds of other botanical delights! Authentic Mexican Cuisine is served in the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant from 10 am to 5 pm. The Garden is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (closed Mondays from April 1 to December 1). Don't miss the Puerto Vallarta Butterfly Festival August 15 through October 30. Garden admission is just $150 pesos. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit
vbgardens.org.
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Marie Callan - BanderasNews
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Featured Vacation Rental -
Apt. Esperanza in San Pancho Riviera Nayarit
Sometimes you just need an affordable place right in the heart of everything you want to see and do. Apartment Esperanza is such a place. Located 1/2 block from San Pancho's Plaza Del Sol, and just 3 blocks from the beach, this charming little apartment is just the ticket! It is perfect for couples or single person. Apt. Esperanza has a fully-equipped kitchen and WIFI.
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| Gallo - El Musico de San Pancho |
Featured Video
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San Pancho's Cielo Rojo now a member of Mexico Boutique Hotels
 The
Hotel Cielo Rojo in San Pancho, the Riviera Nayarit's Culture Capital, is now one of the exclusive member properties of Mexico Boutique Hotels. After a five-year certification process, the hotel received its plaque thanks to its high standards and quality service.
In order to become a member of this group, which boasts over 16 years in the industry, the resort had to tailor its criteria to fit the philosophy of this exclusive brand, namely to provide unique services and experiences in hotels with no more than 100 rooms.
Its exceptional architectural details and distinctive design were created thanks to owner Mara Gisela Maraz's extensive travel throughout Mexico, during which she gathered an remarkable collection of accessories and items that decorate every corner of the hotel.
"The property has a strong commitment with the environment and our community, which is why we don't use any harmful chemical products," explained Arturo Vargas Torres, the hotel's General Manager. "We've been generating compost for the past two years and we don't use chemicals to clean the bathrooms, in the drains or in the grease traps."
Another important highlight is the productive relationship they have with the Entre Amigos Community Center, with which they work hand in hand on diverse projects including recycling. For example, they are currently using glassware created by Entre Amigos out of recycled glass bottles.
Its Bistro restaurant is organic, meaning 80% of the products are locally sourced, guaranteeing the quality of the product and the absence of pesticides. This use of local products also helps stimulate the area's economy.
Source: PVDN |
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Banderas Bay area is home to a variety of charities and non-profit organizations that enhance the lives of those who are in need of help, so once again, CasaMagna Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta and American Consular Agent Kelly Trainor are teaming up to host the 13th Annual International Festival of Altruism.
Scheduled to be held in the beachfront garden at the Marriott CasaMagna Resort in Marina Vallarta at 6 pm on Sunday, May 14th, this popular charitable event offers everyone the opportunity to learn more about the continuing and varying needs of some of our most important local charities and non-profit organizations, and how you can get involved.
Every year, over one thousand Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors turn out for this event, which features top restaurants offering food and refreshments, live entertainment, dancing and more for one low price, with all proceeds donated to Banderas Bay area charitable organizations who are in need of a little help, including:
Clinica Santa Barbara A.C. * Paraíso Felino * Biblioteca Rey Nayar * Club Rotario Puerto Vallarta Sur * Fundación Punta de Mita * Organización de Football Americano Torpedos de Vallarta A.C. * Peace Punta de Mita * RISE Puerto Vallarta * DIF Puerto Vallarta * Horizonte De Paz A.C. * Ecologia y Conservacion de Ballenas A.C. * Cembab * Universidad Univa Puerto Vallarta * Pasitos de Luz * Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz Orphanage * Amigos de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, A.C. * S.E.T.A.C. * Fundacion Down A.C. * Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta, A.C.
Each charity will feature an exposition booth at the festival, giving everyone a chance to learn about the great impact they are having on the Puerto Vallarta community.
In addition to the charity information booths, this year's festival will feature a wide range of entertainment ranging from live music and dancing to cultural presentations and an extraordinary culinary demonstration by some of Puerto Vallarta's finest restaurants and food and beverage suppliers.
Don't miss this very upbeat, wonderful night of food, friendship and fun for just $400 pesos in advance or $500 pesos at the door, with all proceeds divided equally among the participating charities.
Organizers are hoping this year's event will be even more successful than last year, when each of the 19 participating charitable organizations received a check for $46,487 pesos.
Source: PVDN |
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Entreamigos
Literary Week
Discover the treasure hidden in the stories. Every year Entreamigos holds a Literary Week, created for people of all ages to participate either in workshops and activities. We are looking for participants
It is a space for authors, illustrators, storytellers, bookbinders and literary artists who celebrate together with the community, the fantastic world of treasures in literature. If you are interested in participating or know someone who may be interested, whether giving a workshop or supporting an activity, please write to:
[email protected] with your proposals and contact.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
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San Pancho's Beach Cam is Online!
If you are missing San Pancho this is the page for you!
Our webcam of San Pancho's beautiful beach is finally stable
. We are so happy that we can offer you a way to come to San Pancho for a few minutes even when you are far away, stop by at sunset and watch the sky change, check the surf before going down to the beach, or even check the storms in the rainy season... Come by often as you like!
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Photos of the week
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Beautiful Flowers you can find in and around San Pancho.
Sheri Hunt just walking in San Pancho.
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Something BIG is coming to San Pancho
