Photo Gallery
Photos by Gary Rosenberg unless otherwise noted
We begin with a full day of birding at Papallacta Pass and Antisana Ecological Reserve in the high Andes east of Quito.
Although rare here, Andean Condor is occasionally seen, including this nesting bird in 2002.
A specialty at this high elevation is Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe…
…and another is the decidedly local Stout-billed Cinclodes.
One of the most sought-after birds is Giant Conebill, a species restricted to high-elevation Polylepus woodland.
Below Papallacta is Guango Lodge where we stay for one night - the highlights here are hummingbirds, with this Tourmaline Sunangel perhaps the most gorgeous.
Our lodge, Cabañas San Isidro is very comfortable, with wonderful food and service…
…and it’s located in splendid subtropical forest…
…along the Huacamayo Ridge.
A number of fabulous birds can be found here including Wattled Guan, one of the rarest of the cracids in Ecuador, which can sometimes be seen right from the cabins.
The tanager diversity is incredibly high here, with this Black-capped Tanager being one of about 12 different Tangara species possible!
This Smoky Bush-Tyrant was foraging right along the entrance road to the cabins…
…and we’ll search for mixed-species flocks with Andean species, such as this Cinnamon Flycatcher…
…and the amazing Powerful Woodpecker.
But perhaps the most interesting bird found at San Isidro is this