Country: Ecuador

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

Torrent Duck at Cuyuja River Bird Photography

Easy walk along the clear waters of the Cuyuja River, where fast-flowing streams create ideal habitat for Torrent Duck. Depending on conditions, the surrounding forest may also reveal Grey-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Red-hooded Tanager, and, with some luck, the remarkable Andean Potoo before we continue toward our lodge.

Cayambe-Coca Cloud Forest Photography

Descending into Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, we explore moss-covered temperate forest rich in localized Andean species. Our focus is on birds such as Black-backed Bush Tanager, Masked Mountain Tanager, Pale-naped Brushfinch, Crowned Chat-Tyrant, Pluscap, and the vibrant Golden-crowned Tanager, all of which thrive in this cool, humid habitat.

Baeza

Sword-billed Hummingbird

Chestnut-breasted Coronet