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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EB15 – Puembo Garden Surprises Before Taking Off for Coca
A final morning of birding at Puembo Garden gives way to an exciting flight over the Andes and a river journey into the Amazon.
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EB14 – The Official Launch of the Eagle-eye Tour
As evening settled over Ecuador, our Eagle-eye photography group gathered around Mercedes’ dinner table for introductions, shared stories, and a delicious home-cooked meal. With new…
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EB13 – When Color Takes Center Stage: Male and Female Red-headed Barbets Steal the Show
An afternoon in Ecuador’s western Andean cloud forest brought a memorable encounter with a pair of Red-headed Barbets. The male’s brilliant crimson plumage contrasted beautifully…
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EB12 – More Feathered Encounters at Mirador Guaycapi
An extraordinary afternoon at Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi brought a dazzling parade of Ecuador’s tropical birds. From colorful tanagers and shimmering hummingbirds to a striking…
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EB11 – Feathers, Food, and Forest Views at Mirador Guaycapi
The open-air terrace at Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi offered a spectacular introduction to Ecuador’s western Andean birdlife. Brilliantly colored euphonias and tanagers crowded the fruit…
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EB10 – Down the Alambi Valley for Lunch at the Mirador y Restaurante Guaycapi
Descending from the high páramo of Zuro Loma into Ecuador’s lush Chocó cloud forest, we followed the winding Alambi River through a dramatic change in…