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.Green (Inca) Jays courtingThe courtship succeeded! Green (Inca) Jays copulating! Due to the pouring rain, the group woke up after the sun had risen and went to…

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. Green (Inca) Jay A few of us woke well before dawn to search for the Rufous-bellied Nighthawks that fly at twilight. It was raining and…

San Isidro Owl Pictured above is one of the “San Isidro Mystery Owls” as they are known, appears to share plumage traits of both Black-and-White and Black-babnded Owls. Is it a hybrid of the two? The curious factor is that the ranges of the two owl species do not overlap as far as we know.…

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. Collared Inca Masked Flowerpiercer Andean Guan Following breakfast, almost everyone went on a bird walk along the river. Along with seeing many Cinnamon flycatchers, Spectacled…

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. A distant Red-crested Cotinga Today we left Septimo Paraiso to travel East leaving all the Ornate Flycatchers, Green-crowned Woodnymphs, and Violet-tailed Sylphs behind. On the…

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. White-tipped Purplebib White-necked Jacobin After getting up around eight, we had breakfast and watched all the brilliant hummingbirds come to the feeders. Here, the group…

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. Giant Antpitta We woke up at 3 am today and went down for a quick cup of coffee before departing to Angel Paz. The serene…

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…

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. Spectacular views await all along the Old Nono-Mindo Road.Photo © Kevin Loughlin We awoke super early today and ate breakfast on the seventh floor of…

Day 7 / August 17 – Today’s alarm clock came earlier than expected, in the form of Howler Monkeys roaring nearby at about 4:30 am.  Most of the group recognized this scary-sounding noise for what it was, but some wondered if it were a pending storm – very ominous!  We were definitely awake and ready…

Day 6 / August 16 – Another glorious day at Cristalino began with several hours spent atop the “New Tower,” with sweeping views of the Amazon Rainforest (above) and plenty of bird activity to entertain us. The voice of the Amazon, provided by the Screaming Piha, rang out from all directions – heard but not…

Day 5 / August 15 – Some of today’s most memorable moments were experienced on the sparkling rivers of the Amazon Rainforest.  After the usual early breakfast, and a quick study of the Blackish Nightjar roosting on terra cotta roof tiles, we boarded our familiar boat and pointed upstream.  The sights and sounds of the jungle…