On our second day at Tandayapa, Sally decided to spend a day birding at the lodge and took some great photos with her IPhone.
Four hummers at the feeder
Sally watched this Toucanet snatch and devour a hummingbird — “That’s nature.”
When we returned to the lodge, everybody had a chanc to hand-fed hummingbirds – quite an amazing experience.
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 hummingbirds. We were slow to check into our rooms with all the action underway.
Many of us had not seen Pufflegs before.
Throughout our stay, hummers came for hand-feeding. These found Sally’s Iphone and finger intriguing. Photo credit: Kate Thompson
As would be our habit, we were up for breakfast and on the bus before light. It was cool and foggy but just after we got to our hiking spot and had started to walk, our guide heard and then spotted the bird of the day, a Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan.
The yellow rectangular plate on the upper bill helps differentiate this toucan from most others.
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans inhabit a restricted range and are listed as near threatened. They are threatened both by deforestation and subsequent habitat loss, and by illegal capture for the pet trade.
After birding a couple of hours, we boarded the bus and were descending this winding dirt road when the guide yelled “stop”, we bailed out to seeing him holding an earthworm.
This worm was docile on a chilly morning, just trying to cross the road.
That’s my size 15 boot for comparison. We left him in the bushes unharmed.
We no sooner had loaded back up and driven a kilometer when the bus stopped and off we trooped to see a big, bad tarantula crossing the road. We watched her – she was almost the size of my hand.
A purple tarantula
One of the things we did on this foggy day, since the birds were relatively quiet, is to delight in the flowers we encountered. I’ll share them with you in the next post. Adios, amigos.
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 and to more distant volcanoes.
The habitat is mainly high altitude (10,500′) Polylepis forest, of a type which is severely depleted throughout the Andes due to agriculture and charcoal production.
We had a 3 K trek, with steep overlooks and challenging walking due to the altitude out to a feeding station with many hummingbirds and other new species to see. Here are some examples of what we saw:
The area is known for the Swordbill hummer.
This Spectacled Whitestart snuck up to the feeder and left at once.
The Hooded Mountain Tanager is a species we frequently saw in the Western Andes.
These were foraging in the fog along the trail as we returned. Not sure of ID.
Several Shining Sunbeams were a highlight of our return trip. Striking on the front and back.
Our bus was waiting to take us on a winding back road journey to our first lodge.
Enroute, we stopped near this roadside shrine and were treated to an overflight by a rare Black-chested Buzzard Eagle.
As expected, the diversity and quantity of Ecuadorean birds is challenging. Here are a few examples.
Tropical Kingbird
A rather rare Red-rumped Bush Tyrant
Chestnut-breasted Coronet
Another lodge and new lower elevation species tomorrow.
We arrived in Quito Sunday night and have spent a couple of days at the Tandayapa Lodge from where we have visited several local hotspots. Here are just a few shots to give an idea of the neat birds we are seeing.
The back of a Shining Sunbeam hummer
A striking Toucan Barbet
The front of a Shining Sunbeam
Plate-billed Mountain Toucan
Black-capped Mountain Tanager
Tomorrow we head eastward to new environs and a whole array of new bird species.
After a few days at Fontainbleau State Park and a nice reunion in New Orleans with Vermont friends, we headed northward and endured a long trip on busy but dry roads back home. The van ran well and aside from a last day long trek, we kept the legs reasonable with motel stays along the way. Since then, it’s been a lot of catch-up work and a series of Nor’easter snowstorms, including 12-14 inches last night. The Sprinter isn’t going anywhere soon.
The Florida van had -30 temperatures before we left and several feet of snow since we returned.
I am including a couple of bird photos — two from Louisiana and one from Vermont.
This Loggerhead Shrike (or its cousin) was on the same power line last year.
It will be a while before we see Eastern Bluebirds here.
However, some American Robins are hanging in there in wintry Central Vermont.
Now we are packing for a two-week birding trip to Ecuador with a group from the North Branch Nature Center. I expect to be offline until early April but will share a few shots from this exciting adventure.
We said goodbye to Texas today in a typical fashion – 70 mph on I-10 with too-many trailer trucks, a very gusty crosswind, and 80 degree temperatures. We are in Louisiana for a few days (Hi American Robins, Blue Jays, American Crows) before turning northward toward home. Here are some shots, all taken with at least 15-20 knots of wind buffeting the camera, of some Texas birds we’ve seen in the last few days.
Lesser Goldfinch riding out the wind
It is neat to see Altimira Orioles in natural settings instead of at a feeder
We saw a dozen Monk Parakeets at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse trail
Whether “kiting” or perched, White-tailed kites are special.
These White-faced Ibis make one think of their prehistoric ancestors.
We never tire of seeing the regal Great Blue Heron.
Some birds, like these Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Great-blue Heron, stand still and suddenly strike their prey.
Great Egrets and Snowy Egret.
Great Blue Heron
The Reddish Egret is known for its “dancing” to scare up fish. This guy was resting when we saw him.
This Tri-color Heron was stirring up fish with its feet and using the wing shadows to spot fish.
Too many bird pictures, too little time – the story of birding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
This House Wren looked in a nesting mood.
A school (?) of Black-necked Stilts with their Snowy Egret teacher.
Neotropic Cormorants discussing the latest tweet?
Mottled Ducks – male has bright yellow beak.
Orange-crown Warbler eating fruit.
Camera-shy Clapper Rail.
