Sunday, February 22, 2015

Ecuador

Our continued quest for encounters with interesting birds brought us to the cloud forests of  the Ecuadorian Andes.  Remained at elevations of 6,000 to 12,000 ft for most of the trip, but did venture above 17,000 ft in the Cayambe-Coca Reserve -- breath-taking ... at several levels -- quite beautiful, but challenging to breathe for those of us who are coastal natives !
Ecuador remains one of the best regions in the world to observe a huge variety of Hummingbirds (over 125 types) as well as a number of rare, elusive Antpitta and Mountain Toucans. 
To freeze the motion of the hummingbird wings, employed a complex multi-flash technique for 1/10,000 second exposures. 


Booted Racket Tail,  Tandayapa Region

Inca Jay, San Isidro Region

Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird, Tandayapa Region

Green-Crowned Brillant (F),  Tandayapa Region

Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Tandayapa Region

Andean Emerald, Tandayapa Region

White-bellied Woodstar, Guango Region

Turquiose Jay, Tandayapa Region

Purple-bibbed Whitetip (juvenile), Tandayapa Region

Cayambe-Coca Reserve
Chestnut-Breasted Coronet, San Isidro Region

Toucan Barbet, Tandayapa Region

Green-Crowned Brillant (M), Tandayapa Region

Booted Racket Tail (M & F),  Tandayapa Region

Silver-Throated Tanager, Milpe Region

Russet-backed Oropendola, Milpe Region

Booted Racket Tail (Sparring Males), Tandayapa Region

Glossy-black Thrush, San Isidro Region

Tandayapa Cloud Forest

Red-Headed Barbet, Milpe Region

Long-Tailed Sylph, San Isidro Region

"San Isidro Mystery Owl", San Isidro Region

Green-Crowned Brillant (M), Tandayapa Region

Blue-Backed Conebill,  Papallacta Pass

Rufous-Breasted Ant-thrush, Refugio Paz Region

Emerald Brilliant, San Isidro Region

Antisana Volcano near Papallacta Pass, Andes

Masked Trogan, San Isidro Region

Booted Racket Tail, Tandayapa Region
   
Giant Anpitta, Refugio Paz Region
  
Chestnut-Breasted Coronet, San Isidro Region

Yellow-Breasted Antpitta, Refugio Paz Region

Violet-Tailed Sylph,  Tandayapa Region