Synopsis: A mid‑morning shift in light revealed a new sequence of birds—each appearing in calm, deliberate moments that carried our Zuro Loma adventure into its next chapter.
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.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
**Due to the high resolution and quality of the images in this blog series it is highly recommended
that readers view posts in Landscape Mode on a desktop PC from the actual blogsite at Ecuador Birding**
DAY 13 – Late Morning Last Day in Ecuador
Through the Softening Light: The Next Birds of Our Return
The grounds at Zuro Loma carried us onward into a stretch of forest where the morning light began to thin and the birds emerged in a more deliberate rhythm. After the excitement of our earlier encounters, this next sequence unfolded with a quieter, steadier pulse—species appearing not in bursts, but in moments, each one stepping forward as if cued by the shifting mist. The canopy softened into a patchwork of shadow and pale gold, and the forest seemed to settle into a contemplative mid‑morning mood. It was in this gentler light that the next cast of birds revealed themselves, each adding its own color, posture, or spark to the unfolding story of our return to Zuro Loma.
Gorgeted Sunangel
A flash of violet fire rose from the shadows, catching the morning light like a hidden ember…
The Gorgeted Sunangel arrived like a dropped ember, its deep violet gorget igniting whenever it turned its head just so. In the dim understory light, the bird seemed almost modest—until a single shaft of sun transformed it into a jewel burning at the throat. It perched with a poised, upright stance, flicking its wings in quick, decisive bursts before launching into short, purposeful flights between the bromeliads. Its movements were both delicate and assertive, as if it were stitching together the shadows with threads of color. Even among the dazzling hummingbirds of Zuro Loma, the Sunangel carried an unmistakable air of quiet royalty.
Masked Flowerpiercer
A cobalt streak cut through the foliage, masked and mischievous as it claimed the next bloom…
The Masked Flowerpiercer appeared like a stroke of cobalt paint against the greenery, its vivid blue plumage glowing even in the muted light. The black mask gave it a sharp, almost mischievous expression, as if it were perpetually in on some private joke. It moved with quick, darting energy, hopping between branches and pausing only long enough to assess the next cluster of blooms. When it called, the notes were bright and ringing, cutting cleanly through the mist. There was a boldness to this species—a willingness to be seen—that made every encounter feel electric.
Scarlet‑bellied Mountain Tanager
A sudden blaze of red appeared against the muted greens, as if the forest had painted a single bold stroke…
The Scarlet‑bellied Mountain Tanager was a living ember against the cool greens of the cloudforest. Its deep blue‑black body contrasted sharply with a belly so red it seemed to glow from within. It moved with smooth, deliberate hops, pausing just long enough for the scarlet to flare brilliantly in the shifting light. Even a brief encounter with this species felt like witnessing a small explosion of color.
Green‑tailed Trainbearer
A slender shimmer drifted through the clearing, its long, ribboned tail trailing like a brushstroke of light…
The Green‑tailed Trainbearer appeared like a streak of emerald fire, its long, iridescent tail trailing behind it in a shimmering ribbon. The male hovered with delicate precision, its slender bill probing flowers with effortless grace. When it perched, the tail draped elegantly below the branch, catching the light in shifting greens and bronzes. It carried itself with a kind of airy confidence, as if fully aware of its own elegance.
Sapphire‑vented Puffleg
A soft-bodied jewel hovered at the edge of the path, its sapphire glow pulsing with each deliberate wingbeat…
The Sapphire‑vented Puffleg drifted into view like a tiny jewel, its deep blue‑violet vent glowing vividly against its velvety green body. The fluffy white “puffs” at the base of its legs gave it a whimsical, almost ornamental look. It hovered with a soft, humming steadiness, dipping into flowers with quick, precise movements. In the cool Andean light, its colors seemed to intensify with every shift of its wings.
Where the Forest Grows Still: The Last Birds of Zuro Loma
By the time the last of these mid‑morning encounters faded back into the foliage, the day had begun to tilt toward its quieter hours. The forest felt both familiar and newly mysterious, as if holding back one final set of surprises before our time here came to an end. We followed the path deeper into the reserve, letting the stillness gather around us, unaware that the next stretch would bring some of the most grounding and character‑rich species of the entire visit. Those final birds—steady, bold, and unmistakably tied to this elevation—would shape the closing chapter of our Zuro Loma adventure.
NEXT UP: EB#94 “A Gentle Farewell: Final Encounters at Zuro Loma”
Additional Photographs and Video
Previous Ecuador Birding Blog Posts:
- EB93 – Mid‑Morning Revelations at Zuro Loma
A mid‑morning shift in light revealed a new sequence of birds—each appearing in calm, deliberate moments that carried our Zuro Loma adventure into its next chapter. This blog series chronicles Jim Gain’s experiences with birds and nature. - EB92 – At the Edge of Imagination: The Sword‑Billed Hummingbirds at Zuro Loma
A bird born of imagination and evolution’s boldest gamble, the Sword‑billed Hummingbird turned our return to Zuro Loma into a moment of pure, impossible wonder This blog series chronicles Jim Gain’s experiences with birds and nature. - EB91 – Back to Where it All Began: Our Journey Returns to Zuro Loma
A return to Reserva Zuro Loma delivered a final flurry of fleeting encounters, each wonder adding a bright, memorable stroke to the closing hours of our Andean journey. This blog series chronicles Jim Gain’s experiences with birds and nature.
Through my lens and prose I hope to instill a greater sense of awe, compassion and inspiration as I discover new creatures, explore interesting habitats, and gain wisdom about the natural world that’s all around us. It is my hope that readers are motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation.
>>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 (>99.9%) are mine.
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