Country: Ecuador

Sani Lodge

Check-in at Sani Lodge at 250 m, on the edge of Yasuní National Park within Sani community territory: spacious cabins around a lagoon reached by blackwater channels, and four nights of Amazon forest at the door.

Tandayapa Bird Lodge

Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge (Bellavista / Tandayapa Valley, northwest cloud forest)

Nono Parish

Zuroloma

Puembo

Afternoon Canopy Tower Photography at San Jorge Sumaco Wildlife Reserve

As the afternoon light softens, we return to the canopy tower for another photography session. Different species often become active later in the day, with opportunities to photograph White-throated Toucan, Golden-collared Toucanet, Lettered Aracari, Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Scale-breasted Woodpecker, Violaceous Jay, Magpie Tanager, Opal-rumped Tanager, and many other canopy birds.

Lodge Grounds & Lagoon Bird Photography at San Jorge Sumaco Wildlife Reserve

After lunch, we explore the lodge's pond, lagoon, and surrounding gardens, where a different collection of Amazonian birds can often be photographed at close range. Regular visitors include Greater Ani, Amazon and Ringed Kingfishers, Capped Heron, Black-capped Donacobius, Olive Oropendola, Orange-backed Troupial, Masked Crimson Tanager, and Crimson-crested Woodpecker, with occasional appearances by Flame-crested Tanager, Yellow-backed Tanager, and Rufous-headed Woodpecker.

Canopy Tower Bird Photography at San Jorge Sumaco Wildlife Reserve