Category Archives: Ecuador

Once Birdwatching, Now Birding

Posted on August 16, 2019 by

I still have my original Peterson’s “A Field Guide to Western Birds”, which was given to me by my first wife Karen, on my 27th birthday, in 1967. In those days, birdwatchers referred to it simply as “Peterson’s”. The guide … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 10

Posted on October 24, 2017 by

Day #10 (Sat. Oct. 7) The Rincon de Puembo – what a luxurious hotel! Our room was at the far end of the atrium seen here. We caught a cab around noon for the short drive to the Puembo Birding … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 9

Posted on October 23, 2017 by

Day #9 We packed up and began our return to the Quito area, with a stop at Guango Lodge on the way. In dense cloud forest, at an elevation of around 10,500′, this lodge sits right next to the highway … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 8

Posted on October 22, 2017 by

Day #8 We left before light, crossing over the Rio Cosanga and driving uphill to a pass, where we hoped to see a particular nighthawk. But no luck. We then continued a good ways downhill  (south) to a small village … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 7

Posted on October 21, 2017 by

Day #7 The Cabañas San Isidro are located in thick rainforest, at an elevation of 6800′. Birds abound. And not to be completely outdone by Refugio Paz de las Aves, they have a trained Antpitta of their own! On our … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 6

Posted on October 19, 2017 by

Day #6 The Hacienda La Carriona  was something! And … our trip was now more than half-over! We left after breakfast for the climb to the paramo and Volcan Antisana, getting a view of Volcan Cotopaxi on the way. Our … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 5

Posted on October 18, 2017 by

Day #5 On our last day of birding out of Sachatamia Lodge, our first destination was a very early morning visit to the Cock of the Rock lek, at the extraordinary Refugio Paz de las Aves, created by Angel Paz … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 4

Posted on October 17, 2017 by

Day #4  We left Sachatamia in the dark, for an hour’s drive downhill to the west. The destination was the Rio Silanche, at an elevation of around 1100′ (Sachatamia Lodge is situated at an elevation of 5577′, and Mindo at … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 3

Posted on October 16, 2017 by

Day #3  We had arrived at Sachatamia Lodge the evening before, to be greeted by a bunch of beautiful new birds at the plentiful feeding stations and hummingbird feeders. Nice place! We were up early (the beginning of what I … Continue reading →

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Birding in the Ecuadorian Andes, Day 2

Posted on October 15, 2017 by

Day #2 We drove west and uphill thru villages and farms as we exited the sprawl of Quito. After topping a final ridge, we soon arrived at Yanacocha Reserve, situated at 10,500′ altitude. At the Reserve headquarters we found feeding … Continue reading →

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