Golden-tailed Sapphire
Here’s the other half of my previous post. Maybe it doesn’t hurt to remember there is still a lot of beauty left in the world. Hummingbirds are a good place to start. A Golden-Tailed Sapphire above and a Many-Spotted Hummingbird below.
Another beauty is the White-Tailed Hillstar.
In my next life, if I return quickly, maybe I can study butterflies.
Perhaps less spectacular but still interesting, a Western Wood-Pewee, Barred Antshrike and Deep Blue Flowerpiercer.
Another unique species below: the Thrush-Like Wren.
I have seen Cliff Flycatchers before but do not remember seeing the gray on the face like I did on this bird.
We were lucky to see a Chestnut-Eared Aracari which was not on our list.
Reality check. Tomorrow I am going to what promises to be a colder-than-last-year Gull Frolic, as we have chilled down again after two rather balmy days. With any luck I will get some fun photos to share with you. Fun as in Frantic Gulls. Until then, I wish you peace, safety and beauty wherever you are.
Many-Spotted Hummingbird
P.S. A Blackburnian Warbler on the left (“distracters” on this trip!) and a Social Flycatcher on the fly.
Those hummingbirds are beauties! You stumbled into a treasure in Ecuador this last trip! Thank you Lisa! 🙂
Thanks, H. J.! The hummers really made the trip for me. 🙂
You got a lot of value out of your trip. I am looking forward to frolicking gulls with bated breath.
And we will be looking forward to the gulls with baited bread. 🙂
You are really making me want to go to Ecuador!
🙂 The Andes are truly amazing. Makes me want to go back to Ecuador, Peru, Colombia… Don’t get me started on my philosophical bent as I try to find positive reasons for not having vacation time to plan ahead… I would say given the current situation anywhere and everywhere, carpe diem!
Great photos, Lisa! Love the unique look of the Chestnut-Eared Aracari!
Thanks, Donna! I’m so glad I got to see him with the camera. I just wish I could go back… 🙂
Your notes and photos clearly reflect the joy you experienced on this trip as well as your dream or hope of returning to the mountains and valleys in the Andes.
I have always had a soft spot for mountains. I adore the vegetation almost as much as the birds. Maybe it’s the thin air… too.