On the western slopes of Ecuador’s Andes, steep cloud-forested ridges descend toward the Pacific lowlands, creating a landscape of deep valleys, persistent moisture and extraordinary biological diversity.
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS FROM THE WESTERN ANDES, ECUADOR
Earlier species-focused stories from my travels in Ecuador
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EB67 – Brilliants, Woodstars, Coronets and More: A Hummingbird Spectacle at Guaycapi
A late‑morning surge of iridescent wings transformed Guaycapi Lodge into a living kaleidoscope, as a vibrant wave of hummingbirds swept in to claim the stage…
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EB66 – Feathers and Fog: Tanagers and the Majestic Cloud-Forests of Guaycapi
Our journey from Refugio Paz de los Aves to Guaycapi Lodge unfolded as a tapestry of surprises—from a roosting Lyre‑tailed Nightjar to the vibrant foothill…
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EB64 – The Grand Finale at Ángel’s Refuge: Hummingbirds in Full Flame
A dazzling parade of hummingbirds and a long‑awaited meeting with Ángel Paz brought our Refugio Paz de las Aves experience to a brilliant, unforgettable conclusion.…
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EB63 – Where the Forest Breathes: Tanagers, Antpittas, and the Quiet Work of the Woodcreeper
A morning of antpittas, tanagers, and woodcreepers at Refugio Paz de los Aves revealed the forest’s quiet wonders before giving way to the hummingbird spectacle…
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EB62 – Cloud‑Forest Contrasts: Pygmy‑Owls and Giant Antpittas
In a single enchanted morning, the cloud forest revealed its contrasts through the fierce, tiny Cloud‑forest Pygmy‑Owl above and the gentle, elusive Giant Antpitta below—two…
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EB61 – The Farmer Who Saved a Forest: Angel Paz’s Living Legacy
Through the eyes and calls of Angel Paz, the cloudforest became a living conversation—its rare birds emerging not by chance, but through the trust he’s…