Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Brazilian Red Cloak and it is scientifically known as Megaskepasma erythorochlamys. The ‘Brazilian Cloak’ is a herbaceous shrub that is very showy and fast growing. Being an exhibition of beautiful red/scarlet terminal flowers, this plant never fails to thrill its viewers.

Over the years Chaa Creek has received numerous awards and accolades, and this new Trip Advisor recognition is particularly satisfying because it comes straight from international travellers themselves.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Red Ginger and its scientific name is Alpinia purpurata. The Red Ginger plant, originally from the South Pacific, is a tall, ever-green plant which has bright red floral bracts and inconspicuous white flowers. Read more…

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Cowhorn Orchid and it is scientifically known as Cyrtopodium punctatum. This species of orchid is commonly found in diverse ecosystems ranging from Florida, Cuba, Central America and to Northern South America. Its dazzling flowers are distributed in the following Belize’s districts – Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, and Stann Creek.

Driving deep into the woods on dirt roads with Ben in a jeep, we arrived at The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s Macal River Jungle Camp. These little houses are called casitas.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Trumpet Tree and its scientific name is Cecropia peltata. It is a tropical, fast growing tree, with a tall ungainly open habitat of growth, which is widely abundant in the tropical rainforest. The local name, Trumpet Tree, comes from a tradition of the Ancient Maya who used the stems to make ceremonial trumpets.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Fireworks Plant which is scientifically known as Clerodendrum quadriloculare. The Fireworks Plant consists of over 450 species of trees or shrubs and is originally from the Phillippines.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Gray Cracker Butterfly which is scientifically known as Hamadryas februa. The Gray Cracker Butterfly is a butterfly of the Neotropic Eco Zone, South America, with its circulation area extending from Mexico, Colombia, the Caribbean Islands, to Brazil. It is one of the most conspicuous species of butterfly found at The Lodge at Chaa Creek.

My family is so excited about a new year’s resolution we just made that we want to share it around. At the dinner table the other day we were talking about the new year and what it had in store for us, and the discussion got around to New Year’s resolutions. As usual with my teen son and daughter, they began challenging each other to come up with the coolest, most do-able resolution for 2012, and without noticing, we parents were soon drawn into the contest.

Belize’s rich Maya heritage is something that all Belizeans share and take pride in, and it’s been wonderful to see representatives from so many different sectors – government, private industry, art and cultural groups along with a range of individuals, work together to present and promote our real Maya heritage as world attention focuses on Belize.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Veined Tree Frog or Pepper-Eyed Tree Frog and is scientifically known as Phrynohyas venulosa. The Veined Tree Frog can be found in areas ranging from Mexico, Central America, South America, and some Caribbean Islands. It is a very uncommon species at The Lodge at Chaa Creek and can be found at lower elevations throughout Belize.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Soursop and is scientifically known as Annona muricata. It is a native species to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Northern South America, and is recognized as Guanabana in Latin American countries. This picture was photographed at the Maya Organic Farm on a tree that could have up to forty healthy fruits at a given time.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Male Green Iguana which is scientifically known as Iguana iguana. The Male Green Iguana, despite its name, is bright orange in color and become larger in size in its breeding season. This arboreal herbivorous species of lizard is native to Central and South America.

Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick owns and operates Chaa Creek, has been living in the Maya heartland for over three decades and said she is looking forward to the opportunity to join other locals as well as Mayanists, scholars and archaeologists in setting the Maya record straight.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Aloe Vera which is commonly known as The Medicinal Plant. Aloe Vera is a very short-stemmed plant that can grow up to 60-100 cm tall spreading by offsets. The Aloe Vera’s leaf is thick and fleshy to touch and has tiny prickles or spines around the perimeter. The Aloe Vera plant can be frequently seen tropical areas of the world, including Belize where it can be seen very commonly at Chaa Creek’s 365-acre private nature preserve. The plant can be easily spotted while on the Rainforest Medicine Trail Tour with our naturalist guides.

The Barton Creek Cave Site is best known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Cayo District, Belize. The cave’s large riverine passage and pristine formations are just two of the reasons why this site is appealing to both local and foreign visitors. Beside its natural beauty, the site is made even more interesting by the presence of a wide range of cultural remains that were deposited within the cave by the ancient Maya.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Collared Aracari Toucan and its scientific name is Pteroglossus torquatus. This social toucanet breeds from Southern Mexico and throughout Central America making its year-round home in the tropical rainforests.

It’s remotely possible the world will end in December 2012. But don’t credit the ancient Maya calendar for predicting it, say experts on the Mesoamerican culture.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Ruddy Ground Dove and is scientifically known as Columbina talpacoti. The Ruddy Ground Dove is a resident breeder from Mexico, Central and South America, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. In Belize, it is a fairly common resident on the Northern Cayes, along the coast and in the Southern, Western and Central Belize.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Century Plant and its scientifically known as the Agave Americana. The Century Plant is originally from Mexico but is cultivated as an ornamental plant globally. It has been naturalized in many regions and grows wild in Europe, South America, India, and Australia.