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.
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