Photo Gallery
Photos by Jon Feenstra
![We’ll leave Quito for the high elevations of Papallacta Pass. That’s right, snow on the Equator.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F6841635472_8a6297bb77_k.jpg?)
We’ll leave Quito for the high elevations of Papallacta Pass. That’s right, snow on the Equator.
![Variable Hawk is one of the species to be looked for way up here…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F02.jpg?)
Variable Hawk is one of the species to be looked for way up here…
![…as is Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, a bird found only on the highest peaks.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2Fecuador_eastandes_feb2016-29_24587259463_o.jpg?)
…as is Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe, a bird found only on the highest peaks.
![The fascinating alpine plant life is second only to the birds, like this Many-striped Canastero.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2Fecuador_eastandes_feb2016-1_24583099464_o.jpg?)
The fascinating alpine plant life is second only to the birds, like this Many-striped Canastero.
![Heading downhill we'll stop at Guango Lodge for lunch. Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan can often be found in the parking lot.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2Fgray-breasted-mtn-toucan_8501859330_o.jpg?)
Heading downhill we’ll stop at Guango Lodge for lunch. Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan can often be found in the parking lot.
![The hummingbird feeders are famous, here a stark contrast between the long-billed (Sword-billed Hummingbird) and the long-tailed (Long-tailed Sylph)…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F06.jpg?)
The hummingbird feeders are famous, here a stark contrast between the long-billed (Sword-billed Hummingbird) and the long-tailed (Long-tailed Sylph)…
![…and Collared Incas are as aggressive as they are striking.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F07.jpg?)
…and Collared Incas are as aggressive as they are striking.
![Further down hill we’ll arrive at Cabanas San Isidro…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F08.jpg?)
Further down hill we’ll arrive at Cabanas San Isidro…
![…with all the comforts of home.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F09.jpg?)
…with all the comforts of home.
![The birding is excellent. Green Jays are common and noisy in the morning…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2Fecuador_eastandes_feb2016-14_25187534006_o.jpg?)
The birding is excellent. Green Jays are common and noisy in the morning…
![…as is Common Bush-Tanager.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F11.jpg?)
…as is Common Bush-Tanager.
![An antpitta feeding station near the dining room often attracts a White-bellied Antpitta...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F20150222-img_7412_16881585071_o.jpg?)
An antpitta feeding station near the dining room often attracts a White-bellied Antpitta…
![...and a light left on out front brings in the insects like this big atlas moth.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2Fecuador_eastslope_group-4_32352241674_o.jpg?)
…and a light left on out front brings in the insects like this big atlas moth.
![Cinnamon-mantled Woodpecker is a splash of color in the foliage…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F14.jpg?)
Cinnamon-mantled Woodpecker is a splash of color in the foliage…
![…as is Saffron-crowned Tanager, one of more than a dozen tanager species possible on the property.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F15.jpg?)
…as is Saffron-crowned Tanager, one of more than a dozen tanager species possible on the property.
![Quiet dirt roads give us access to pristine cloud forest…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2Fecuador_eastslope_group-6_33197126935_o.jpg?)
Quiet dirt roads give us access to pristine cloud forest…
![...where we may run into Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant along the Guacamayos trail.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F17.jpg?)
…where we may run into Rufous-headed Pygmy-Tyrant along the Guacamayos trail.
![East from Cabanas San Isidro the Andes drop into the Amazon Basin through the altitudinal zones of hundreds of species of birds.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F18.jpg?)
East from Cabanas San Isidro the Andes drop into the Amazon Basin through the altitudinal zones of hundreds of species of birds.
![In the lower foothills the scarce Coppery-chested Jacamar becomes a possibility…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F8052596595_2fe8d892ce_k.jpg?)
In the lower foothills the scarce Coppery-chested Jacamar becomes a possibility…
![…as does the local Cliff Flycatcher.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F20.jpg?)
…as does the local Cliff Flycatcher.
![In this “magic” elevation between the Amazon lowlands and the Andean foothills at the foot of the Sumaco volcano lies Wildsumaco Lodge...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F6841975276_08464a091c_b.jpg?)
In this “magic” elevation between the Amazon lowlands and the Andean foothills at the foot of the Sumaco volcano lies Wildsumaco Lodge…
![...whose back porch overlooks forest and some of Ecuador’s best hummingbird feeders...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2FWildsuamco2_2.jpg?)
…whose back porch overlooks forest and some of Ecuador’s best hummingbird feeders…
![...with the possibility of Napo Sabrewing, a foothill specialty…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F22.jpg?)
…with the possibility of Napo Sabrewing, a foothill specialty…
![…or maybe the colorful Gould’s Jewelfront…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F23.jpg?)
…or maybe the colorful Gould’s Jewelfront…
![…and Chestnut-fronted Macaws may fly overhead at any time.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F25.jpg?)
…and Chestnut-fronted Macaws may fly overhead at any time.
![From here we'll turn back into the Andes toward Quito, but not before stopping again for other mountain specialties like Viridian Metaltail…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F26.jpg?)
From here we’ll turn back into the Andes toward Quito, but not before stopping again for other mountain specialties like Viridian Metaltail…
![…or Red-crested Cotinga.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F27.jpg?)
…or Red-crested Cotinga.
![At tour's end, I suspect we'll all agree that the east Andes are great for birds and epic views alike.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F65%2F28.jpg?)
At tour’s end, I suspect we’ll all agree that the east Andes are great for birds and epic views alike.