Owl Eye Butterfly, Costa Rica

The truth is that I saw many of these butterflies in Costa Rica, across time. One morning though, during a very quiet time living near Puerto Viejo during covid-19, I was walking the hostel dogs and noticed a large one sitting on a fallen tree at the end of the beach. It let me take photos, good photos, from which I've been able to create this image.

Apparently the markings on the wings are a developed adaptation intended to look like the eyes of an owl as a defensive strategy. Mimicry. You're less likely to be the prey if you look like a watchful hunter. So clever...