Aside from the usual distraction of “Maria”, the Giant Antpitta, bouncing around on the trail beside us, and a “bucket load” of hummers at the sugar feeders, (including the spellbinding, and seductive Velvet-purple Coronet, a living work of art), once again one of the highlights of Angel Paz’s “three-stage show” was the “fruit blind”, where fruit loving birds from the forest came screaming in to feed on the bounty that Angel laid out for them, (bananas and grapes mainly). Top among them were again a colorful troop of Toucan Barbets (see photo) bursting juicy purple grapes, a group of Sickle-winged Guans flapped clumsily about the bananas, and vibrant green Crimson-rumped Toucanets and brilliantly colored Black-chinned Mountain-Tanagers (see photo) also competed for our attentions at the hanging harvest. This is a truly special spot (Paz de las Aves), in a very special set of mountains (the Andes), in an indisputably special country for birds (Ecuador).

Zuri said...: Ecuador is one of the most beautiful countries in South America. The weather, the colonial cities and the people are just fantastic. Nothing compares to the landscapes of the Highlands, the lush of the Amazon Jungle Forest, the exotic Beaches of the Coast and the mystery of the Galapagos Islands.; 29 June 2009 at 22:45
Anonymous said...: I went to Ecuador in May 2007, for two weeks, and loved it so much I went back later that year for two months! A superb birding country and I want to return one day. Great memories.

I also have to admit that I envy your job, Sam! ;-); 1 July 2009 at 07:51

Lost in BIrding