Country: Ecuador

San Miguel de los bancos

Empress Brilliant & Velvet-purple Coronet Photography

In the afternoon, we visit a hummingbird feeding station renowned for close photographic opportunities. This site is especially known for two Andean specialties: the dazzling Empress Brilliant and the iridescent Velvet-purple Coronet, often regarded as one of Ecuador's most spectacular hummingbirds. With birds frequently approaching just a few meters away, there is plenty of time to experiment with different compositions and capture intimate portraits in natural light.

Andean Cock-of-the-rock Lek Photography at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sar

Before sunrise, we head to a traditional Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where males gather to perform their remarkable courtship displays. From a well-positioned hide, you'll have the opportunity to photograph these brilliant orange birds as they call, display, and occasionally chase one another through the forest. Along with one of Ecuador's most iconic birds, the surrounding forest may also reveal a variety of cloud forest species.

San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary

Afternoon Hummingbird Photography Session at San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from carefully prepared natural perches around the lodge, where flowering plants and feeders attract a remarkable diversity of species. Western Emerald, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Andean Emerald, Fawn-breasted Brilliant, Buff-tailed Coronet, White-necked Jacobin, Purple-throated Woodstar, Purple-bibbed Whitetip, Green-crowned Woodnymph, Booted Racket-tail, and Violet-tailed Sylph are among the regular visitors, offering a wide variety of colors, behaviors, and photographic opportunities. Those who wish can also explore the nearby forest trails, where the cloud forest may reveal species such as Scaled Antpitta, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Golden-headed Quetzal, White-winged Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Chlorophonia, Immaculate Antbird, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive White-faced Nunbird.

San Jorge Eco-lodge Tandayapa Hummingbird Sanctuary

Spend the afternoon photographing hummingbirds from the lodge's gardens, where feeders, flowering plants, and carefully selected natural perches create excellent opportunities for clean, intimate images. Regular visitors include Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Sparkling Violetear, Tyrian Metaltail, Shining Sunbeam, and White-bellied Woodstar, with activity often increasing as the afternoon light softens. The gardens are equally rewarding for other Andean birds. Between hummingbird sessions, you may photograph species such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush Tyrant as they move through the surrounding vegetation.

Bird Photography Around the Lodge Gardens

The lodge gardens attract far more than hummingbirds. Between photography sessions, keep an eye out for species such as Tufted Tit-Tyrant, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, Azara's Spinetail, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Southern Yellow Grosbeak, Red-crested Cotinga, and Streak-throated Bush Tyrant, all of which may offer rewarding photographic opportunities.

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.