Scenes and "non-birds" from our Ecuador trip - June, 2022

I was so busy trying to photograph all the birds, I took fewer "non-bird" shots on this trip, so many of these images were phone shots taken by my Wife, Wendy, or phone-scoped by Juan Diego or Brad.


Our happy group at wonderful Wildsumaco Lodge. Back row (left to right) - Nelson, Pat, Deb, Julie, Angie, Eric, Tina, Wendy, John C., and Kristen. Front row (left to right) - John F., Bill, and Brad.



The beauty of Ecuador.



Two of my favorite traveling companions - Bill and Wendy. Despite being on the equator, we were at high altitude during most of the trip - thus the warm clothes and roaring fire at Wildsumaco.



After dark, the bats would take over from the hummingbirds at the feeders at Wildsumaco.



While birding a road, I noticed this huge Red-backed Tarantula.



One of two species of snake we saw on the trip, this beautiful little Golden-bellied Snake was at Amagusa.



This Northern Tamandua (a form of anteater) we saw at Amagusa was Wendy's favorite sighting of the trip.



A group of cute little Napo Tamarin Monkeys entertained us at Wildsumaco.



This is a shot of typical Ecuadorian cuisine (lunch in Quito). I especially enjoyed the wide variety of soups and great empanadas we were served at our beautiful lodges.


Our skilled driver, Ernesto, could navigate obstacles ranging from cows to burning tires!



Bill Sharkey is always looking to make new friends, including this Flame-faced Tanager.



In contrast to all the time we spent in forest habitat, we drove up through the High Paramo to the Papallacta Antennas for incredible birds, like Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe and Andean Condor. If you look close, you can see the winding road that took us up to the 14,000 ft. summit.



Tina and Eric at the Papallacta Antennas moments after seeing Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes.



Not only did the high altitude take your breath away, so did the view!



Great friend and awesome guide, Juan Diego Vargas, wearing every piece of clothing he packed, still complaining about the "cold!" Clearly, Costa Ricans don't know what cold really is (like Michigan City Harbor in January)!



Our final morning of birding in Ecuador, we had the privilege of meeting legendary Angel Paz (far left) and his amazing family. From hand-fed Antpittas, to Plate-billed Mountain-toucan, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and Toucan Barbet, etc. etc. - this place was beyond belief!