Photo Gallery
Rich Hoyer
![We'll start near the town of Tarapoto, where an outlying ridge harbors healthy forest.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F01.jpg?)
We’ll start near the town of Tarapoto, where an outlying ridge harbors healthy forest.
![Don’t be too disappointed if your first bird in Peru is a Red-eyed Vireo. This is the resident form known as “Chivi Vireo”, likely a separate species.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F02.jpg?)
Don’t be too disappointed if your first bird in Peru is a Red-eyed Vireo. This is the resident form known as “Chivi Vireo”, likely a separate species.
![The fantastic tropical vegetation, such as this Heliconia burleata, will remind you that you’re in the tropics.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F03.jpg?)
The fantastic tropical vegetation, such as this Heliconia burleata, will remind you that you’re in the tropics.
![Worth extra attention is this Heliconia rostrata, as it’s a favorite food for the Koepke’s Hermit – oops, there goes one!](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F04.jpg?)
Worth extra attention is this Heliconia rostrata, as it’s a favorite food for the Koepke’s Hermit – oops, there goes one!
![If the timing is right, we might get lucky to see the Tibouchina trees in bloom here.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F05.jpg?)
If the timing is right, we might get lucky to see the Tibouchina trees in bloom here.
![And if we’re even luckier, Golden-collared Toucanet might appear.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F06.jpg?)
And if we’re even luckier, Golden-collared Toucanet might appear.
![We’ll work our way westward toward the main east slopes of the Andes, stopping at an unassuming bridge known as Quiscarrumi…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F07.jpg?)
We’ll work our way westward toward the main east slopes of the Andes, stopping at an unassuming bridge known as Quiscarrumi…
![…where a ridiculously accessible colony of Oilbirds was only recently discovered.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F08.jpg?)
…where a ridiculously accessible colony of Oilbirds was only recently discovered.
![It’s a long haul up the Rio Mayo valley to the Andes, so we’ll break it up with stops in interesting habitats near Moyobamba.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F09.jpg?)
It’s a long haul up the Rio Mayo valley to the Andes, so we’ll break it up with stops in interesting habitats near Moyobamba.
![The White-eyed Tody-Tyrant is one of the common but very localized residents of habitats near Moyobamba.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F10.jpg?)
The White-eyed Tody-Tyrant is one of the common but very localized residents of habitats near Moyobamba.
![We’ll finally begin ascending the upper Rio Mayo with its lush, mind-bogglingly diverse forests.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F11.jpg?)
We’ll finally begin ascending the upper Rio Mayo with its lush, mind-bogglingly diverse forests.
![White-throated Woodpecker occurs in the lower elevations on this road.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F12.jpg?)
White-throated Woodpecker occurs in the lower elevations on this road.
![We’ll notice a significant uptick in butterfly diversity. This is a Hebrus Metalmark…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F13.jpg?)
We’ll notice a significant uptick in butterfly diversity. This is a Hebrus Metalmark…
![…and this stunner is a Salvin’s Empress.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F14.jpg?)
…and this stunner is a Salvin’s Empress.
![Plant life is also luxurious here. This orchid, Epidendrum lacustre, is but one of hundreds of species known from this valley.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F15.jpg?)
Plant life is also luxurious here. This orchid, Epidendrum lacustre, is but one of hundreds of species known from this valley.
![Recognizable as a bee-plant is this lush Podandrogyne.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F16.jpg?)
Recognizable as a bee-plant is this lush Podandrogyne.
![The highest point of the Andes on this road is relatively low at this “abra” – Abra Patricia – and this is were we are lucky to have our lodging.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F17.jpg?)
The highest point of the Andes on this road is relatively low at this “abra” – Abra Patricia – and this is were we are lucky to have our lodging.
![The Long-whiskered Owlet Lodge is in the middle of a large area of well-protected cloud forest.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F18.jpg?)
The Long-whiskered Owlet Lodge is in the middle of a large area of well-protected cloud forest.
![Accommodations are simple but surprisingly comfortable for such a remote location...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F19.jpg?)
Accommodations are simple but surprisingly comfortable for such a remote location…
![The lodge has a canopy tower that overlooks the short, dense canopy at 7700 feet elevation.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F20.jpg?)
The lodge has a canopy tower that overlooks the short, dense canopy at 7700 feet elevation.
![We’ll spend some time relaxing at the lodge’s feeders where should see Emerald-bellied Puffleg…](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F21.jpg?)
We’ll spend some time relaxing at the lodge’s feeders where should see Emerald-bellied Puffleg…
![…the stunning Long-tailed Sylph….](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F22.jpg?)
…the stunning Long-tailed Sylph….
![…and the adorable White-bellied Woodstar.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F23.jpg?)
…and the adorable White-bellied Woodstar.
![There is a good network of trails on the lodge property.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F24.jpg?)
There is a good network of trails on the lodge property.
![Bark-bellied Woodpecker is a high-elevation specialty we might see.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F26.jpg?)
Bark-bellied Woodpecker is a high-elevation specialty we might see.
![Silvery Tanager occurs in most of the mixed flocks around the lodge and down the road.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F27.jpg?)
Silvery Tanager occurs in most of the mixed flocks around the lodge and down the road.
![There’s a small, discrete population of Rufous-capped Antshrikes at its northernmost range near the pass as well.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F28.jpg?)
There’s a small, discrete population of Rufous-capped Antshrikes at its northernmost range near the pass as well.
![Habitats are quite varied here, from tall, wet forest to scrubby, stunted forest on ridges and limestone outcroppings, increasing diversity.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F29.jpg?)
Habitats are quite varied here, from tall, wet forest to scrubby, stunted forest on ridges and limestone outcroppings, increasing diversity.
![Royal Sunangel is one of the extremely localized species occurring in the stunted ridge forest.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F30.jpg?)
Royal Sunangel is one of the extremely localized species occurring in the stunted ridge forest.
![In the deeper valleys near our lodge is a more lush type of habitat, dripping with epiphytes where we’ll look for antpittas and tapaculos.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F31.jpg?)
In the deeper valleys near our lodge is a more lush type of habitat, dripping with epiphytes where we’ll look for antpittas and tapaculos.
![This is the habitat that at night might result in a sighting of the extremely elusive Long-whiskered Owlet.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F33.jpg?)
This is the habitat that at night might result in a sighting of the extremely elusive Long-whiskered Owlet.
![A little farther west, just a bit in the rainshadow, are the drier slopes of Florida de Pomacochas.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F34.jpg?)
A little farther west, just a bit in the rainshadow, are the drier slopes of Florida de Pomacochas.
![Only on these mid-elevation slopes, In a narrow band of semi-humid, short forest between the wetter upper slopes and the dry lower valleys can you find the unbelievable Marvelous Spatuletail.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F35.jpg?)
Only on these mid-elevation slopes, In a narrow band of semi-humid, short forest between the wetter upper slopes and the dry lower valleys can you find the unbelievable Marvelous Spatuletail.
![A brooding Lyre-tailed Nightjar might be one of our lucky sightings in the area; or we might come across one in our nocturnal birding outings.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F37.jpg?)
A brooding Lyre-tailed Nightjar might be one of our lucky sightings in the area; or we might come across one in our nocturnal birding outings.
![The region is rich with many forms of wildlife, and at our hotel we might well be distracted by the moths, this a Six-eyed Sphinx.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F36.jpg?)
The region is rich with many forms of wildlife, and at our hotel we might well be distracted by the moths, this a Six-eyed Sphinx.
![On our return to the lowlands we’ll stop near Moyobamba at a private reserve...](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F38.jpg?)
On our return to the lowlands we’ll stop near Moyobamba at a private reserve…
![The hummingbird feeders here will have a rather different assortment of species, the Rufous-crested Coquette being one of the most spectacular.](/timthumb.php?w=450&src=%2Fimg%2FGallery%2F224%2F39.jpg?)
The hummingbird feeders here will have a rather different assortment of species, the Rufous-crested Coquette being one of the most spectacular.