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