From the mist-shrouded cloud forests of the western Andes to the windswept páramo and snow-capped volcanoes of the high mountains, Ecuador reveals an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and life. Descending the eastern slopes, lush montane forests gradually give way to the vast tropical rainforests of the Amazon Basin, each region supporting its own remarkable communities of birds, plants, and other wildlife. This archive brings together my stories, field observations, and photographic encounters from across Ecuador, celebrating not only its astonishing biodiversity but also the memorable experiences, unexpected discoveries, and people encountered along the way. Together, these journeys offer a glimpse into one of the most biologically rich and geographically fascinating countries on Earth.
Stories from all Regions of Ecuador
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EB43 – A New Day of Luck and Light at Cabañas San Isidro
After days of illness and frustration, a clear morning at San Isidro brought a surge of color, energy, and photographic inspiration, marking a joyful return to presence and purpose as the journey moved forward toward new wonders. This blog series…
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EB42 – The Day the Photos Disappeared at Cabañas San Isidro
A day defined by illness, small mistakes, and the devastating loss of an entire set of photos ultimately became a story of resilience, perspective, and the quiet grace of getting a second chance in the Andes. This blog series chronicles…
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EB41 – Same Jay, New World: Discovering the Inca Green Jay of Ecuador
A familiar species seen across the Americas becomes something astonishingly new in the Andes, where the “Inca” Green Jay reveals a deeper, richer, and more dramatic expression of a bird I thought I already knew. This blog series chronicles Jim…
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EB40 – Early Morning Wings at the Moth Light Feeders of Cabañas San Isidro
In the misty dawn of Cabañas San Isidro, a night of mystery—echoing owls, unseen guans, and a forest waking at the moth lights—unfolded into a vivid parade of cloudforest birds, culminating in an intimate encounter with the elusive White‑bellied Antpitta.…
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EB39 – Wildlife and Mountain Mists on the Road to San Isidro
The winding road toward San Isidro revealed extraordinary Andean wildlife, from a ghostlike Great Potoo chick and a pair of Band-bellied Owls to soaring Swallow-tailed Kites and elusive Cliff Flycatchers. As the forest delivered one remarkable encounter after another, an…
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EB38 – Sunlit Surprise: The Golden‑Tailed Sapphire’s Rainbow Glow
DAY 6 – Lunchtime My Ecuador Species Count including WildSumaco jumps up to: 208 (145 lifers) Primary eBird Public Hotspots: WildSumaco Lodge WILDSUMACO PART 3 — The Golden-tailed Sapphire: A Jewel That Stole the Show Among all the dazzling species…
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EB37 – The Numbers Keep Climbing: WildSumaco’s Hummingbird Explosion Continues
The midday hummingbird rush at WildSumaco brought another dazzling parade of Andean jewels, from the fiery Gould’s Jewelfront and powerful Napo Sabrewing to the delicate Violet-headed Hummingbird and lively Fork-tailed Woodnymph. An unexpected visit from a South American Coati added…
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EB36 – From Farmland to Sanctuary: WildSumaco’s Rebirth and Its Earliest Arrivals
On the eastern slopes of Ecuador’s Andes, WildSumaco Lodge offered an extraordinary introduction to the hummingbirds of the Amazonian foothills. Green and Gray-chinned Hermits, three species of violetears, Black-throated Mangos, and the remarkable Peruvian Racket-tail were among the dazzling visitors…
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EB35 – Leaving the Amazon Behind, Rising into the Eastern Andes
A final farewell to the Amazon brings Red Howler Monkeys, a challenging journey up the Napo River, and the first foothills of the Andes.
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EB34 – One Last Cruise Around the Calluacocha Lagoon
A final canoe journey through the Amazon’s flooded forest brings chattering monkeys, calling birds, and an unforgettable farewell to Sani Lodge.
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EB33 – A Quiet Afternoon Spent Shooting on the Sani Lodge Grounds
An afternoon exploring Sani Lodge’s grounds reveals colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, and fascinating nesting behavior, with photographic opportunities seemingly around every corner.
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EB32 – Afternoon Birds, Bats, Butterflies and a Really Cool Pair of Owls at Sani Lodge
Colorful rainforest butterflies, roosting Proboscis Bats, and a spectacular pair of Crested Owls turn a quiet afternoon at Sani Lodge into an unforgettable experience.