A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
Ecuador Birding – Where Every Feather Tells a Story
From October 26, 2025 through November 8, 2025 I joined 5 other adventurers and an outstanding photographer and birding guide (Liron Gertsman) with Eagle-Eye Tours to Ecuador. This blog series highlights the animals (mostly birds), people and locations we encountered over the 14 full days in this beautiful land.
DAY 1 – Dinnertime
- My Ecuador Species Count as of the official start jumps up to: 63 (45 lifers)
- Primary eBird Public Hotspots: None
By evening, the day’s birding adventures gave way to anticipation of what lay ahead. At 6:30 pm, our Eagle‑eye Tour group gathered in Mercedes’ patio dining area, a warm and welcoming space where introductions quickly turned into lively conversation. Around the table sat Jim and Pat from Minnesota, Chris and Darby from Michigan, Alex from British Columbia, myself from California, and our birding and photography guide, Liron, also from British Columbia. Though we hailed from different corners of North America, we were united by a single passion: the pursuit of birds through the lens of a camera.
It was immediately clear that this was a group of dedicated photographers, each with their own approach and tools of the trade. Liron, Alex, and I all carried Canon bodies, each of us wielding a different model suited to our style. Jim V had his OM System (formerly Olympus), sleek and efficient, while Chris brought a Nikon setup, its sturdy build a reminder of the brand’s long legacy in wildlife photography. The variety of gear sparked easy conversation—comparisons of lenses, debates over autofocus speed, and shared stories of missed shots and lucky captures. It was the kind of camaraderie that birding groups form almost instantly, built on shared obsessions and mutual respect.
As we chatted, Mercedes appeared with dinner: a beautifully prepared breaded sea tilapia, crisp and golden, accompanied by an arugula salad dressed with olive oil and avocado, and a side of lentils rich with earthy flavor. The meal was simple yet elegant, nourishing both body and spirit after a long day in the mountains. Between bites, laughter and stories flowed, weaving together the beginnings of friendships that would carry us through the days ahead.
Later, we retired to our rooms, where the gentle patter of rain on the roof became our lullaby. It was a spectacular end to the day—one of those quiet, reflective moments when the weight of adventure settles in, and you realize just how much you’ve already experienced on a trip that has only just begun. The Eagle‑eye Tour was officially underway, and with it, the promise of countless birds, photographs, and memories waiting just beyond the dawn.
NEXT UP: EB#15 “Puembo Garden Surprises Before Taking Off for Coca“
Previous Ecuador Birding blog posts will be linked below.
- EB14 – The Official Launch of the Eagle-eye Tour
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the official start of the Eagle-eye Tour and getting to know the other participants. - EB13 – When Color Takes Center Stage: Male and Female Red-headed Barbets Steal the Show
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the euphonias, tanagers and hummingbirds we saw when we arrived at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi for lunch. – Part 3 - EB12 – More Feathered Encounters at Mirador Guaycapi
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the euphonias, tanagers and hummingbirds we saw when we arrived at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi for lunch. – Part 2 - EB11 – Feathers, Food, and Forest Views at Mirador Guaycapi
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the first euphonias, tanagers and hummingbirds we saw when we arrived at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi for lunch. - EB10 – Down the Alambi Valley for Lunch at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the White-capped Dipper along the Alambi River Valley on the Western side of the Andes for lunch at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi. - EB9 – A Missed Antpitta, More Sword-billeds and a Scarlet-bellied Success
In October 2025, Jim Gain joined a birding tour in Ecuador, exploring its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes over 14 days. The blog series chronicles his experiences with birds and nature. This post focuses on the Sword-billed Hummingbird, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager and other species at the Zuro Loma Birding Reserve on the Western side of the Andes.
>>Ecuador Birding Blog Home Page Link https://reflectionsofthenaturalworld.com/ecuador-birding/
*This Ecuador Birding blog post was shaped and polished with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot, helping bring clarity and a consistent flow to my field notes and dictated memories.
**Unless otherwise indicated in the image caption, all photographs (>99%) are mine.
Reflections of the Natural World 
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