Ecuador Hummingbird Photo Safari 2011 (Part 2)

Note from Kevin: The text for our Hummingbird Photo Safari trip report was written by Lukas Padegimas, an intern invited to join our trip which took place in August 2011.

Rufous-collared Sparrows are one of the first singers every morning.

We woke up around 5:30 – just as the twilight began to light up shadows in the darkness. The jungle exploded in a frenzy of sounds. A Cinnamon Flycatcher popped up just outside the window. Once outside we saw a Montaine Woodcreeper that sat on a tree at eye level while Booted Racket-tails and Buff-tailed Cornets fought over who would get the first sip of nectar for the day. 

Turquois Jay

Those who wanted to take pictures of hummingbirds stayed around the lodge with Kevin while those who wanted to explore the area headed out on a trail with Edison. A grand diversity of butterflies fluttered about as we tried to find the calling Quetzals and Toucanets. Along the trail, we discovered a Plate-billed Mountain Toucan nest where the parents were bringing lemon-sized fruit to their young. We would see several more of these Toucans along the way.

Wedge-billed Hummingbird poking a hole in the back of a flower to rob it of its nectar.

A young Purple-bibbed Whitetip taking a break.

A Powerful Woodpecker flew overhead into the canopy as we continued onward. A Bat Falcon sat on a tall dead tree watching over all the singing Woodwrens and Warblers jumping in the thickets below. Clearwings and Heloconia butterflies fluttered freely along the muddy stone road while Brown Inca Hummingbirds visited an array of tropical flowers. Amongst some enclaves in the jungle, the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of a variety of wild orchids delighted the passerby’s.

I believe this snake to be Clelia clelia, but would appreciate an experts opinion!

Towards the end of the walk, a Coatimundi cautiously crossed the road – an animal distantly related to raccoons. Upon returning to the feeders, we discovered Kevin photographing a small brown snake, about 2 ft. long, slowly moving underneath the steps of the cabins, the first reptile of the trip.

Purple-throated Woodstars buzzed like bumblebees.

Our three course lunch was followed by a short ride to the residence of Barbara and Tony – a synonym for “Hummingbird Paradise.” The house has over twenty feeders that get refilled at least three times a day to keep up with the hundreds of hummingbirds that seem to come here from miles away in the jungle. Booted Racket-tails, Collard Incas, Brown Incas, Purple-throated Woodstars and Violet-tailed Sylphs seem to be at peace with one another.

Booted Racquet-tail

However, when the chirps of Green and Sparkling Violetears filled the air, the relative tranquility ended. A battle ensued over which Violetear would dominate a particular feeder. While an insane buzz echoed as yet another Purple-throated Woodstar got ready to get some nectar and dozens of hummingbirds zipped back and forth, a bright green tree frog slowly hopped along the grass as a thin mist rained upon the fertile hill.

Buff-tailed Coronet

Far beyond the hummingbirds, stands a tall lone tree. From there, a peculiar call echoes before a Squirrel Cuckoo decided its time to move to a different tree. The large brown bird flew out into the open with its lone lyre-like tail for all to see. The sun began to set, and we headed back to the lodge for dinner. At night, the Black-and-white Owl continued its unique hoot… after dinner we found it perched over the parking area.