07 June 2011

Antisana Emerges ECUADOR (5 June)




As we began our drive out of the Antisana reserve we once again crossed the caracara-covered plateau, and as we looked up towards the massive volcano we saw blue sky breaking through, and then amazingly the impressive snow-crusted top came dramatically into view. I fired off a couple of shots in case the cloud dusting the horizon thought about moving back to obscure this awesome sight. Not only did the clouds part but the lapwings that had been taunting us all day long finally gave up the ghost: as we were driving out having passed hundreds of mocking Andean Lapwings en route we finally found a few foraging close to the road. This time when we stopped (and remained in the vehicle) they bobbed their heads excitedly, and agitatedly at first, and then they calmed down and calmly began to feed once more-FINALLY! A great end to a wonderful "city break" (or break from the city). Antisana is often people's favorite tour site, and it is very easy to understand why: a magical combination of staggering high Andean scenery and approachable high Andean birds.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

May I use the Wire-tailed Manakin pic from your http://samwoodsbirding.blogspot.com/2010/03/amazon-tour-sacha-lodge-ecuador-march_28.html page for Cornell's Neotropical Birds website Wire-tailed Manakin main picture at http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=504716? It's a very clear and colorful picture. I might like to make a link to the video below it too, if that would be OK. Thank you, if so. You take some VERY nice shots.
Wendy

Sam Woods said...

Of course you may use it no problem.

Anonymous said...

Thanks very much!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Gorgeous scenes!