As photographer Mark Cowan traveled down the Amazon, studying reptile and amphibian diversity with the Herpetology Division at the University of Michigan, he captured a phenomenal photo that is as visually stunning as it is educational.
The image showcases a lounging caiman with a vibrant crown of butterflies. Biologically, the winged creatures need salt to survive, and the water that collects on the caiman's skin is a key provider of those minerals.
