Country: Ecuador

Humming bird feeders at San Jorge Eco-lodge

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from the comfort of the lodge, where feeders and thoughtfully placed natural perches provide excellent opportunities for close-up images. Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and White-bellied Woodstar are among the regular visitors, with changing light offering a variety of creative photographic possibilities.

Antpitta Feeding Station at San Jorge Eco-lodge

A short drive brings us to one of the Andean foothills' renowned antpitta feeding stations, where patient fieldcraft offers exceptional photographic opportunities. Rufous, Chestnut-crowned, and, with some luck, Chestnut-naped Antpittas may appear at close range, revealing these famously elusive birds. The surrounding gardens are equally rewarding, attracting colorful hummingbirds, mountain tanagers, and other cloud forest specialties throughout the morning.

Quito Airport

San Jorge Eco-lodge – Quito

Guaycapi Lodge

Sachatamia Lodge

Night at Sachatamia on the Mindo Valley heights, the base for the next morning's early descent to Paz de las Aves.

San Isidro Lodge

Two nights at San Isidro Lodge, set in cloud forest on the eastern slope of the Andes, with its hide and feeders at hand.

Cosanga

Quito