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Towards Mindo

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 Ecuador is, without doubt, one of the most biodiverse nations on the planet; and therefore a must-visit for any semi serious naturalist. One  of the key destinations areas is the cloud forests in the Mindo region. This is on Ecuador's western slope, facing the Pacific Ocean. A variety of elevations, rainforests made humid by both cloud and rain, connections with forests further north in Colombia and further south in Peru and hemmed in by the Andes to the East - all contribute to its megadiverse biodiversity. Here on our first day we visited a number of feeders specially designed to attract nectar feeders - predominately Hummingbirds - and fruit eaters - mostly Tanagers.   All the pictures above were taken at the first feeder complex. Lunch followed with more feeders. In the afternoon, post lunch, we visited a local Mindo Chocolate factory.
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Above Quito

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Ecuadorian Hillstar   The TelefériQo or TelefériQo Cruz Loma, is a gondola lift in Quito, Ecuador, running from the edge of the city centre up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to the lookout at Cruz Loma. It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3,117 m (10,226 ft) to 3,945 m (12,943 ft). The ascent takes about twenty minutes, traveling 2,237 linear metres. Plumbeous Sierra Finch - male Plumbeous Sierra Finch - female Plumbeous Sierra Finch - female Very shitty picture of very distant Andean Condors! ¡Drew y Tracey se divierten con las llamas!
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Quito

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Sparling Violetear - our first Hummingbird!  All arrived safely in Quito and gathered for dinner at the appointed time and place!  The following day, post breakfast, boasted a slow morning giving me the opportunity to try to find some urban species. Great Thrush Rufous collared Sparrow In the afternoon we visited the Quito old town. One of the first Catholic Churches visited was designed, to some degree, to celebrate the flora and fauna of Ecuador. La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (often just called La Compañía) in Quito, Ecuador.   While the church is most famous for its stunning Baroque architecture and gold-leaf-covered interior, one of its more quirky and lesser-known features is its facade ornamentation, which includes unusual carvings of local fauna, such as iguanas, armadillos, and even anteaters.  These carvings are a fascinating example of syncretism — the blending of indigenous and European artistic traditions. When indigenous artisans helped build a...
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