Category Archives: North Branch Nature Center

Local Rambles

I’ve set up a round-trip bird walk, about 3.2 miles long, that goes up the trail along the North Branch of the Winooski, hooking up with the paths around the North Branch Nature Center. It’s a good way to get … Continue reading

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Looking For Love

Vermont, while well into Spring calendar-wise, is still gloves and boots season for birding. On a recent four-mile walk in light drizzle, not only were there some new arrivals (Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-bellied, Sapsucker, Broad-winged Hawk) but many seemed … Continue reading

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Returning Home

The trip downriver to Sani Lodge was boring. Most of us slept part of the way. The trip back was much different: the river was raging with waves and floating logs coming at us continually. At one point, we heard … Continue reading

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Sani Lodge – Observation Tower

As I mentioned in the last post, I am a pilot who is afraid of heights. No fire tower climbing for me, thank you, and I have to watch out for any hikes that have drop-offs, and I usually drive … Continue reading

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Isidro -2

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

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

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

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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Photos by Sally

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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Tandayapa Lodge -1

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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