Author Archives: Richard

Sani Lodge

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Richard

After a three hour bus ride to the city of Coca, a gritty city built up in the 1990’s oil boom, we waited around for other passengers who would make the 3.5 hour trip down the Rio Napo to the … Continue reading →

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Isidro -2

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Richard

This was not a “roughing it” trip — no sleeping on mats or eating rice and beans.  We birded pretty intensely at times but always returned to great meals and nice beds. Even the box lunches were pretty amazing. Isidro … Continue reading →

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Cabanas San Isidro

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Richard

After some last minute hummingbird feeder checks, we boarded the bus for another scenic but windy trek featuring trailer trucks and buses and blind curves and “watch for birds, not the road ahead.” Off to the south the massive peak … Continue reading →

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Guango Lodge

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Richard

Located next to a busy highway and disturbed by recent pipeline work, Guango Lodge was not our favorite stay, although the food and accommodations were fine. We opted out of the bus trips and spent several nice walks on the … Continue reading →

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Crossing the Andes

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Richard

We left the lush western slope of the Andes, heading toward Quito. As we descended into arid conditions caused by the mountains and warmed up for the first time in days as we took a short walk, spotting among other … Continue reading →

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A Trip to Paz de las Aves

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Richard

Well before dawn, we boarded the bus for a trip to Refugio Paz de las Aves, where Angel Paz, a local farmer, has developed a modest but spectacular birding site. We arrived early to see the Andean Cock-of-the-walk display on the lek … Continue reading →

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Photos by Sally

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Richard

On our second day at Tandayapa, Sally decided to spend a day birding at the lodge and took some great photos with her IPhone. Sally watched this Toucanet snatch and devour a hummingbird — “That’s nature.” When we returned to … Continue reading →

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Some Flowers from Ecuador

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Richard

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Tandayapa Lodge -1

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Richard

We arrived at Tandayapa Lodge, a lovely site located within the verdant cloudforest on the western slope of the Andes. In spite of a long day of birding already, we spotted the wonderful balcony with many feeders and dozens of … Continue reading →

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Yanacocha Reserve, Ecuador

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Richard

After rendezvousing in Quito with our group and our guide Andreas, and our driver, Roger, we launched in a small bus upward out of the city toward the nearby Yanacocha Reserve, with its  spectacular views over the summit of Pichincha Volcano … Continue reading →

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