tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35331259889208645082024-03-14T03:07:32.569-05:00Birding Ecuador For ConservationBirding Ecuador Helps ConservationPululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-58524726802533083932013-10-15T09:13:00.000-05:002013-10-15T09:14:29.844-05:00Forest Flacon at Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve<span style="font-size: large;">Forest Falcon at Lalo Loor Reserve</span><br />
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My wife and I visited Lalo Loor Reserve October 3rd 2012 and were greeted by a group of Army Ants that were being followed by Bicolor Antbird, Plain-brown Woodcreepers, Ecuadorian Thrush, White-wiskered Hermit, Gray-and-gold Warbler, and a group of Smooth-billed Anies. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyOCWy3pfew/Ul1IHOnvjlI/AAAAAAAAAj4/hwRlCbbjfGU/s1600/Bicolor-Antbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cyOCWy3pfew/Ul1IHOnvjlI/AAAAAAAAAj4/hwRlCbbjfGU/s1600/Bicolor-Antbird.jpg" height="240" title=" Bicolor Antbird" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bicolor Antbird</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTT-vWMSYeA/Ul1ITf07-AI/AAAAAAAAAkA/J2KWMkDikd0/s1600/White-wskered-Puffbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTT-vWMSYeA/Ul1ITf07-AI/AAAAAAAAAkA/J2KWMkDikd0/s1600/White-wskered-Puffbird.jpg" height="240" title="White-wiskered Puffbird" width="320" /></a></div>
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White-wiskered Puffbird</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzfMcM60SLk/Ul1IeMwOwzI/AAAAAAAAAkI/nqP2vBxpT-0/s1600/Plain-brown-Woodcreeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzfMcM60SLk/Ul1IeMwOwzI/AAAAAAAAAkI/nqP2vBxpT-0/s1600/Plain-brown-Woodcreeper.jpg" height="320" title="Plain-brown Woodcreeper" width="240" /></a></div>
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Plain-brown Woodcreeper</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ciag06aarks/Ul1JDaCnteI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/q4tdGQeUgy0/s1600/Gray-and-gold-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ciag06aarks/Ul1JDaCnteI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/q4tdGQeUgy0/s1600/Gray-and-gold-Warbler.jpg" height="240" title="Gray-and-gold Warbler" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gray-and-gold Warbler</div>
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The feeding frenzy of the flock was suddenly disrupted by a Forest Falcon sp. that barely missed a plump Bicolor Antbird. This was a very exiting moment for the birds and for us! Our exitement grew even further as we could not identify this species of Falcon. I quickly took some videos of the bird and now we are still wondering about the bird I.D.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cleouaRAzR4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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In the video you can see the bird tail with two white bands and the white iris which are characteristics of a Lined Forest Falcon which are not present in the west. In the west side is the Plumbeous Forest Falcon which has one white band on the tail and a dark iris.<br />
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Last but not least, a great surprise for us when we spotted a new bird that we had not seen before: Brownish Twistwing. This long tailed bird looked at a distance like a female Collared Trogon but upon closer looks we got this rare new bird.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--o2r8rzJiqQ/Ul1K5rVokpI/AAAAAAAAAkc/ifpvxyqJP68/s1600/Brownish-Twistwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--o2r8rzJiqQ/Ul1K5rVokpI/AAAAAAAAAkc/ifpvxyqJP68/s1600/Brownish-Twistwing.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Brownish Twistwing</div>
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Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve is located near the town of Pedernales only five hours from Quito, it is managed by the Ceiba Fundation. For more information go here: http://www.ceiba.org/loor.htm</div>
<br />Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-19925939666858723992011-12-16T18:07:00.000-05:002011-12-16T18:07:19.260-05:00Military Macaws at Sumaco National Park in EcuadorI have visited the Sumaco National Park areas in the past but recently I discovered that the local community of <a href="http://www.sumacobirdwatching.com/">Pacto Sumaco</a> has a cabaña to provide rustic lodging for birders. I decided to help them get started and organized a bird watching tour that would include a night stay at their cabaña. At first I was a bit nervous about lodging in a remote and rustic setting, but after visiting the place I decided that the risk would be compensated with a beautiful scenery that the place offered. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLZ84432fKo/TuvGo1n6OTI/AAAAAAAAAg4/x3TK-FzNE4I/s1600/Sumaco-Volcano_3761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLZ84432fKo/TuvGo1n6OTI/AAAAAAAAAg4/x3TK-FzNE4I/s320/Sumaco-Volcano_3761.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sumaco Volcano</div><br />
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The day finally arrived and we were greeted by the two locals who helped us carry our gear to the cabaña that is located at 15 minutes walk from their community. We left our car and walked on a log trail that took us through deforested land that had a few trees left which provided some shelter for the local birds. The trail was a bit difficult from the unevenness of the tree steps that kept us above the surrounding mud. When we arrived to the cabaña we were greeted by three friendly women who would take care of feeding us for the next 24 hours. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHdH6Ygk9LM/TuvJZntwcVI/AAAAAAAAAhA/ftu9Zg9B-eg/s1600/Pacto-Sumaco-Trail-272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uHdH6Ygk9LM/TuvJZntwcVI/AAAAAAAAAhA/ftu9Zg9B-eg/s320/Pacto-Sumaco-Trail-272.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trails at Pacto Sumaco</div><br />
Since the cabaña has two large rooms we split the group into male and female dorms. This was totally different than our previous arrangements of privacy but it seemed as a small sacrifice to get into this area. The cabaña has a second floor which serves as a viewing platform to the Sumaco Mountain and the surrounding protected forest. There are also some hammocks that allow you to appreciate all of this from a different perspective.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gYBOEQNVas/TuvKk4-cQrI/AAAAAAAAAhI/BTLj14WWuNI/s1600/Sumaco-Hammocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gYBOEQNVas/TuvKk4-cQrI/AAAAAAAAAhI/BTLj14WWuNI/s320/Sumaco-Hammocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hammoc Photo</div><br />
An afternoon walk on the trail which continued away from the community produced a few new birds for the trip list including: Cerulean Warbler, White-bellied Woodstar, a mating pair of maroon-tailed Parakeets, Black-crowned Tityra, Buff-throated Tody-Tyrant, Crested Oropendola, Lafresnayes Piculet, and a pair of Collared Trogons. The most interesting show started upon our return to the cabaña when we witness the return of many Macaws and parrots to roosting trees near the cabaña.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYWVO9i0jzE/TuvLwjsG8HI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VmDc04D_LaI/s1600/Chestnut-fronted-Macaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYWVO9i0jzE/TuvLwjsG8HI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VmDc04D_LaI/s320/Chestnut-fronted-Macaws.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-fronted Macaw </div><br />
The evening came and dinner was served with candle lights and the local night frog orchestra. After working on our bird list for the day we retired early in preparation for an early start. The beds where comfortable and properly setup with mosquito nets to prevent the annoying buzzing disturbance for a restful night. Before daybreak I could hear the wakeup calls of the Pauraque, the Wattled Guan, and a Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. I could not rest more so got up before daybreak to identify more clearly another owl which turn out to be one of our own trying to call a Tropical Screech Owl. Soon enough many other birds joined the waking day: amongst them numerous parakeets, parrots, and Macaws. The fly-bys started and soon all the members were up and enjoying a morning spectacled of Mealy Amazon, Red-billed Parrots, Maroon-tailed Parakeets, White-eyed Parakeet, Military Macaws and finally an incredible close fly-by of the Military Macaws.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkW-IQZXKmc/TuvNAUFe_9I/AAAAAAAAAhY/bVajI0WeXPI/s1600/Military-Macaw-in-Sumaco-Ecuador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dkW-IQZXKmc/TuvNAUFe_9I/AAAAAAAAAhY/bVajI0WeXPI/s320/Military-Macaw-in-Sumaco-Ecuador.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Military Macaw flying above the Pacto Sumaco Cabaña</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you want to experience these wonderful birds and sights then contact the Pacto Sumaco community (www.sumacobirdwatching.com) or take one of our spectacular tours that visit the<a href="http://www.pululahuahostal.com/html/bird_watching_ecuador_-_pulula.html" target="_blank"> East and West slopes of Ecuador</a>.</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-28769003186853907302011-01-01T16:57:00.000-05:002011-01-01T16:57:22.934-05:00Recinto 23 de Junio - Long-wattled Umbrellabird Helps ConservationMuch of the forest on the west side of the Andes has been destroyed by agriculture´s great pressure on the eco-systems that support our beautiful neotropical birds. Many people from the south of Ecuador migrated to the west slopes and settled in this ground more than 30 years ago in their search of fertile land. Their dream was to cut the tress, sell the wood, and make room for pastures and cows. This story repeated itself as an eco going through the land, and the damage spread through our forest like termites on a dead tree. These migrating Ecuadorians began their dream life with the destruction of primary forests without knowledge of the negative effects that this would bring to our eco-systems. <br />
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We birders can make positive impact on these people by doing what we like most that is: Bird Watching. <br />
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Our visit to <a href="http://www.23-de-junio.com/">Recinto 23 de Junio</a> (at 40 minutes from Los Bancos) was to see the Long-wattled Umbrellabird and we saw four males and a female. We also saw 48 other species making that day a record breaking day! In addition our guide Luis Ajila and his family became the envy of the community when we ask them to provide us with more services than the usual Umbrellabird watch, such as lunch and a guide for the rest of the day. Every time a birder goes to this place and pays money to see the birds and other services, everybody in this small community become more aware of the economic value of conservation.<br />
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Here are some of the best birds and pictures of the day:<br />
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The Long-wattled Umbrellabird<br />
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The Band-backed Wren<br />
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The Flame-faced Tanager<br />
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The Golden-headed Quetzal with a lizard on his mouth.<br />
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The Laughing Falcon<br />
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The Yellow-bellied Eleina<br />
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To setup a visit on your own please contact Luis Ajila at cell phone 081030948.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-62398979725689397542010-06-14T08:07:00.002-05:002010-06-15T07:51:05.020-05:00Bridwatching Galapagos IsabelaWe started in Santa Cruz and rose early, had breakfast, a sea sickness pill, went to the bathroom, and took the boat ride by 7:30 am to Isabela. This is a three hour fast boat ride that can make you sick if you are not used to boating in the ocean. It is a good idea to skip breakfast, take the seasickness pill, go to the bathroom, and sit somewhere near the rear of the boats where the movements are less violent; also never look down so keep your head up and look at the horizon. Unfortunately someone had to use the bathroom in the middle of our ride so the boat had to stop! This was a big mistake and many people got very sick; there should be a big sign that prohibits people from taking these boats unless they go to the bathroom first! <br />
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We arrived to Puerto Villamil in Isabela and scanned the de docks for any flying creatures. We immediately spotted many avian companions including Magnificent Frigates, Blue-footed Boobies and a couple of Galapagos penguins that played hide and seek between the boats along the docks. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Magnificent Frigatebird</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBK_OK8MUVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/szlKBuv94q0/s1600/Mafnificen+Frigatebird_Fregata+magnificens_2174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBK_OK8MUVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/szlKBuv94q0/s400/Mafnificen+Frigatebird_Fregata+magnificens_2174.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Galapagos Penguin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blue-footed Boobies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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On the right hand side of the docks we found the Concha Perla Trail that takes you through the local mangrove trees which form tunnels that lead to a nice snorkeling hideaway. The trail was a perfect hide for a couple of Yellow warblers that followed us along the trail jumping from trees to tree.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yellow Warbler </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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At the end of the trail we got a spectacular view of the mangroves, the lava rock that formed a protected sea lake, the sea, and the blue skies, all magically surrounding a perfect snorkeling spot. At the edge of the lava we could see some Lava herons that disputed a particular observation point.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBK_1EDBpKI/AAAAAAAAAZI/YEXFYZdeOM0/s1600/Concha-Perla-Snorkeling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBK_1EDBpKI/AAAAAAAAAZI/YEXFYZdeOM0/s400/Concha-Perla-Snorkeling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLash8KuYI/AAAAAAAAAfo/15PiVuOMOds/s1600/Lava-Heron-Adult-and-Juvenile_2305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLash8KuYI/AAAAAAAAAfo/15PiVuOMOds/s400/Lava-Heron-Adult-and-Juvenile_2305.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
On our way out we spotted a new finch that had a different song and looked differently, later we found that this was a vegetarian finch. <a href="http://birding-ecuador-responsibly.blogspot.com/2010/05/birding-galapagos-islands-darwins.html">See Darwins Fiches blog for more info on finches</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLAjgBls3I/AAAAAAAAAZg/bFhEud3S0Gc/s1600/Vegetarian-Finch_Camarhynchus-crassirostris-_2367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLAjgBls3I/AAAAAAAAAZg/bFhEud3S0Gc/s400/Vegetarian-Finch_Camarhynchus-crassirostris-_2367.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
From the entrance to Concha Perla we took a $1 ride straight to the best and cheapest hotel in the Island: <a href="http://www.rincondegeorge.com.ec/">Hostal Rincon de George</a>. We made this comfortable and new hostal our basis of operation for the next days. <br />
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A few minutes away from our hotel we were shocked by the white sandy beaches and equally shocked by the birds. The Wimbrel received us with open wings and put a nice show under bright sunny conditions.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLAzItiLcI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wM9vJdIRpyU/s1600/Whimbrel-Pano_3956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLAzItiLcI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wM9vJdIRpyU/s400/Whimbrel-Pano_3956.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLA9uCZ9iI/AAAAAAAAAZw/KWnIJe3ssEU/s1600/Whimbrel_2755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLA9uCZ9iI/AAAAAAAAAZw/KWnIJe3ssEU/s400/Whimbrel_2755.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLBMjhFFqI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/pGKzg0KRbHI/s1600/Whimbrel_2767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLBMjhFFqI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/pGKzg0KRbHI/s400/Whimbrel_2767.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
As we approached an observation tower at the edge of the sea, we were welcomed by a group of Marine Iguanas taking shade under the steps of the tower.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLBahIkbKI/AAAAAAAAAaA/To81dNWCSBA/s1600/Marine-Iguana_3908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLBahIkbKI/AAAAAAAAAaA/To81dNWCSBA/s400/Marine-Iguana_3908.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The observation tower was a marvelous place to see a large flock of Brown noddies dispute the best spots over some lava rocks. <br />
<div align="center">Brown noddies</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLBqXzL4jI/AAAAAAAAAaI/OqqXQo6Crlo/s1600/Brown-Noddy_2779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLBqXzL4jI/AAAAAAAAAaI/OqqXQo6Crlo/s400/Brown-Noddy_2779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLB2QnzUhI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/WBPS9YJT5dg/s1600/Brown+Noddy_3610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLB2QnzUhI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/WBPS9YJT5dg/s400/Brown+Noddy_3610.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLCDhzXIYI/AAAAAAAAAaY/wLOGsFP7Xhs/s1600/Brown+Noddy_2773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLCDhzXIYI/AAAAAAAAAaY/wLOGsFP7Xhs/s400/Brown+Noddy_2773.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
We continued walking on the beach and this also paid off with the exiting company of the following birds:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strike>White-rumped Sandpiper</strike><br />
Thanks to <a href="http://www.birderslibrary.com/">Grant McCreary</a> for correcting this ID to<br />
Black-bellied Plover shown here on an <a href="http://www.oceanwanderers.com/BlckBPlov.html">alternate plumage</a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLCYZMX8VI/AAAAAAAAAag/XDAosJeqjjc/s1600/Wite-rumped+Sandpiper+Pano_3832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLCYZMX8VI/AAAAAAAAAag/XDAosJeqjjc/s400/Wite-rumped+Sandpiper+Pano_3832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLCii9vfeI/AAAAAAAAAao/4yG4w2H-xqs/s1600/Whiterumped+Sandpiper_3828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLCii9vfeI/AAAAAAAAAao/4yG4w2H-xqs/s400/Whiterumped+Sandpiper_3828.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Wandering Tattler</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLC0pKF_oI/AAAAAAAAAaw/xWV4ijlk_f8/s1600/Wandering+Tattler_3624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLC0pKF_oI/AAAAAAAAAaw/xWV4ijlk_f8/s400/Wandering+Tattler_3624.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDBbl7caI/AAAAAAAAAa4/lW6nQXCXpAc/s1600/Wandering+Tattler_3720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDBbl7caI/AAAAAAAAAa4/lW6nQXCXpAc/s400/Wandering+Tattler_3720.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">American Oystercatcher </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDZr856gI/AAAAAAAAAbA/etWksLGdb20/s1600/American+Oystercatcher_3743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDZr856gI/AAAAAAAAAbA/etWksLGdb20/s400/American+Oystercatcher_3743.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDg30jPbI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dotWW9kZ3Tw/s1600/American+Oystercatcher_3742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDg30jPbI/AAAAAAAAAbI/dotWW9kZ3Tw/s400/American+Oystercatcher_3742.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Ruddy turnstone </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDsNm-LII/AAAAAAAAAbQ/KDkHPeR379o/s1600/Ruddy+Turnstone_2659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLDsNm-LII/AAAAAAAAAbQ/KDkHPeR379o/s400/Ruddy+Turnstone_2659.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLD17KX5AI/AAAAAAAAAbY/I8zamg7c8H4/s1600/Ruddy-Turnstone_2649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLD17KX5AI/AAAAAAAAAbY/I8zamg7c8H4/s400/Ruddy-Turnstone_2649.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sanderling </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEAz-DuXI/AAAAAAAAAbg/XUdhhcF93M4/s1600/Sanderling-Pano_3862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEAz-DuXI/AAAAAAAAAbg/XUdhhcF93M4/s400/Sanderling-Pano_3862.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEJ9DNMoI/AAAAAAAAAbo/cRTJ2RALydA/s1600/Sanderling_3764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEJ9DNMoI/AAAAAAAAAbo/cRTJ2RALydA/s400/Sanderling_3764.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
We ended the day with a short swim in the warm ocean waters while the sun went down on the horizon.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The next day we rose early and went back to the sea observation tower where we got a great parade of penguins and Blue-footed boobies.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEg1SY8NI/AAAAAAAAAbw/l2kQQ-CAJK0/s1600/Blue-footed+Booby_2979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEg1SY8NI/AAAAAAAAAbw/l2kQQ-CAJK0/s400/Blue-footed+Booby_2979.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Galapagos penguin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEqo0PIYI/AAAAAAAAAb4/JlSzRtGFVzI/s1600/Galapagos+Penguin-Pano_2771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLEqo0PIYI/AAAAAAAAAb4/JlSzRtGFVzI/s400/Galapagos+Penguin-Pano_2771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLE2fhLJhI/AAAAAAAAAcA/2NIVsUNdEfg/s1600/Galapgaos+Pinguin_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLE2fhLJhI/AAAAAAAAAcA/2NIVsUNdEfg/s400/Galapgaos+Pinguin_2987.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Later we took the amazing Volcan Sierra Negra tour and we came up with a new set of birds from this higher altitude zone. More on this amazing volcano later but for now here are the birds:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Galapgaos Martin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLH0aifJ_I/AAAAAAAAAcI/1BuNyo6W7ww/s1600/Galapagos+Martin_3060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLH0aifJ_I/AAAAAAAAAcI/1BuNyo6W7ww/s400/Galapagos+Martin_3060.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Vermilion Flycatcher</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLICcr36pI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/G5KauNYHfBY/s1600/Vermilion+Flycatcher+Female_3093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLICcr36pI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/G5KauNYHfBY/s400/Vermilion+Flycatcher+Female_3093.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLIVS8iXFI/AAAAAAAAAcY/KTERNqYyX_s/s1600/Vermillion+Flycatcher+Female_3408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLIVS8iXFI/AAAAAAAAAcY/KTERNqYyX_s/s400/Vermillion+Flycatcher+Female_3408.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Small tree finch</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLI1H_7guI/AAAAAAAAAcg/VpwO-VM0Cc4/s1600/Small-Tree-finch_Camarhynchus-parvulus_3249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLI1H_7guI/AAAAAAAAAcg/VpwO-VM0Cc4/s400/Small-Tree-finch_Camarhynchus-parvulus_3249.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Warbler finch</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLJa7Iq6HI/AAAAAAAAAco/m72y0Dk-b84/s1600/Warbler+Finch_Certidea+olivacea_3360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLJa7Iq6HI/AAAAAAAAAco/m72y0Dk-b84/s400/Warbler+Finch_Certidea+olivacea_3360.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Woodpecker Finch</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLKoYjtlvI/AAAAAAAAAc4/AprU3ZM4kGY/s1600/Woodpecker+Finch_Cactospiza+pallida_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLKoYjtlvI/AAAAAAAAAc4/AprU3ZM4kGY/s400/Woodpecker+Finch_Cactospiza+pallida_3121.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Ground Finch</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLK5tfTX6I/AAAAAAAAAdA/r7ZJIunK0ck/s1600/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_3113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLK5tfTX6I/AAAAAAAAAdA/r7ZJIunK0ck/s400/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_3113.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yellow Warbler</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLLaxlzBgI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/JG3kZybrQdo/s1600/Yellow-Warbler_3293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLLaxlzBgI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/JG3kZybrQdo/s400/Yellow-Warbler_3293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLLnBTnsqI/AAAAAAAAAdY/4g83A48JGuY/s1600/Yellow+Warbler_3224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLLnBTnsqI/AAAAAAAAAdY/4g83A48JGuY/s400/Yellow+Warbler_3224.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Smooth-billed Ani</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLL0sgShCI/AAAAAAAAAdg/SZsjcZfFmzk/s1600/Smooth-Billed-Ani_3349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLL0sgShCI/AAAAAAAAAdg/SZsjcZfFmzk/s400/Smooth-Billed-Ani_3349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Galapagos Flycatcher</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLMCWA_-4I/AAAAAAAAAdo/wbFcImw1idE/s1600/Galapagos+Flycatcher_2242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLMCWA_-4I/AAAAAAAAAdo/wbFcImw1idE/s400/Galapagos+Flycatcher_2242.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On our way back to the town we surprised the Galapagos Hawk that was being chased by a mocking bird. There was a lot of noise from the mocking birds in the scene!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Galapagos Hawk</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLMPYHS_EI/AAAAAAAAAdw/B-T-kf-aIlI/s1600/Galapagos+Hawk+and+Mokingbird_3459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLMPYHS_EI/AAAAAAAAAdw/B-T-kf-aIlI/s400/Galapagos+Hawk+and+Mokingbird_3459.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLMeAZ1KcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/QVM4TaCwHzA/s1600/Galapagos-Hawk_3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLMeAZ1KcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/QVM4TaCwHzA/s400/Galapagos-Hawk_3445.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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On our third day at Isabela we explored some the inland lakes next to the town starting with Laguna Salinas where we encounter the first White-checked pintail.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">White-checked pintail </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLOUA9yksI/AAAAAAAAAeA/xNtec_1sExw/s1600/White-cheeked++Pintail_2478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLOUA9yksI/AAAAAAAAAeA/xNtec_1sExw/s400/White-cheeked++Pintail_2478.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The show was stolen by a mother Black-necked Stilt and her young. Look carefully at the babies next to the red legs.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Black-necked Stilt</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLOvpE5LpI/AAAAAAAAAeI/5H4Dos9vuiM/s1600/Black-necked-Stilt-and-yung_2464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLOvpE5LpI/AAAAAAAAAeI/5H4Dos9vuiM/s400/Black-necked-Stilt-and-yung_2464.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLPD9qtHGI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ghbjtXabBZo/s1600/Black-necked-Stilt-yung_2467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLPD9qtHGI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ghbjtXabBZo/s400/Black-necked-Stilt-yung_2467.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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We continued exploring this area and we entered a trail that leads to the Giant Tortoise Reproduction Center. This little known trail winds around some amazing ponds, mangroves and dry forest that provide wonderful opportunities for photographing birds. Here is a nice collection of photos taken near Poza Baltazar area including:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Greater Flamingo</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLPjeWFhmI/AAAAAAAAAeY/oEaM4epx9fU/s1600/Greater+Flamingo_2553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLPjeWFhmI/AAAAAAAAAeY/oEaM4epx9fU/s400/Greater+Flamingo_2553.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Gallinule</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLPzNO3BxI/AAAAAAAAAeg/NBkleH4jB-c/s1600/Common+Gallinule-Pano_2448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLPzNO3BxI/AAAAAAAAAeg/NBkleH4jB-c/s400/Common+Gallinule-Pano_2448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLP-VQxoHI/AAAAAAAAAeo/_OvWoTrHSUA/s1600/Common+Gallinule_2443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLP-VQxoHI/AAAAAAAAAeo/_OvWoTrHSUA/s400/Common+Gallinule_2443.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Black-necked Stilt</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLQObw1IiI/AAAAAAAAAew/Qkpr_85Z-6I/s1600/Black-necked+Stilt_2214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLQObw1IiI/AAAAAAAAAew/Qkpr_85Z-6I/s400/Black-necked+Stilt_2214.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Semipalmated plover</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLQbA0baQI/AAAAAAAAAe4/2_3IRtMIBq4/s1600/Semipalmated+Plover_2315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLQbA0baQI/AAAAAAAAAe4/2_3IRtMIBq4/s400/Semipalmated+Plover_2315.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">White-cheeked pintail</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLQuVIofSI/AAAAAAAAAfA/qhOXpxtvCr0/s1600/White-cheeked-Pintail_2458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLQuVIofSI/AAAAAAAAAfA/qhOXpxtvCr0/s400/White-cheeked-Pintail_2458.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
In the afternoon we visited the Wall of Tears and stopped along the way to take some pictures of more flamingos and finches:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Greater Flamingo</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLTNHuKaKI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/FsJ59QXVq60/s1600/Greater-Flamingo_2222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLTNHuKaKI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/FsJ59QXVq60/s400/Greater-Flamingo_2222.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Small ground finches</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLLKOcEqwI/AAAAAAAAAdI/v3orAvwE9hg/s1600/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_3109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLLKOcEqwI/AAAAAAAAAdI/v3orAvwE9hg/s400/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_3109.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Catus Finch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLUjLXKmuI/AAAAAAAAAfY/OiaPbHyUNX0/s1600/Common-Cactus-Finch_Geospiza-scandens_2187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLUjLXKmuI/AAAAAAAAAfY/OiaPbHyUNX0/s320/Common-Cactus-Finch_Geospiza-scandens_2187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLU12KdfeI/AAAAAAAAAfg/jQSXJwDFKDg/s1600/Common+Cactus-Finch_Geospiza+scandens_2260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TBLU12KdfeI/AAAAAAAAAfg/jQSXJwDFKDg/s400/Common+Cactus-Finch_Geospiza+scandens_2260.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So there you have it, the amazing Isablela was our favorite!</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-60272254803478593142010-06-09T06:17:00.002-05:002010-06-09T07:28:09.733-05:00Birding the Galapagos Island - Santa CruzThe historical significance of Darwin’s visit to the Galapagos Island was the most powerful thought that repeated itself as we approached Baltra on a beautiful sunny day in February. Will we perceive the force of evolution as Darwin perceived it? How much have the Islands changed since Darwin´s visit 175 years ago? From the air, the islands and the water looked like any other piece of land and water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_l9uAcPgtI/AAAAAAAAAQo/Nxr2hclblck/s1600/Galapagos-del-aire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_l9uAcPgtI/AAAAAAAAAQo/Nxr2hclblck/s400/Galapagos-del-aire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The birds known as Darwin´s Finches where first believed by Darwin to be a group of blackbirds, gross beaks, and finches. Upon Darwin´s return he gave these birds to John Gould who identified them as twelve separate species of finches. In 1841 John Gould published: Birds Part 3 of The zoology of the voyage of H.M.S. Beagle which can be found in its entirety scanned online at the at the <a href="http://darwin-online.org.uk/">http://darwin-online.org.uk/</a> These finches have been given special attention since 1947 when David Lack wrote the book name Darwin´s Finches. In this book he studied the different finches supporting that natural selection is a prime force in evolution. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_l62BDwKjI/AAAAAAAAAQg/k6zyiM2wmvs/s1600/Finches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="323" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_l62BDwKjI/AAAAAAAAAQg/k6zyiM2wmvs/s400/Finches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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We arrived at Puerto Ayora and settled at our hotel for $30 a room and started our first birding trip with a quick lunch at the Tropic Bird Restaurant on the main drag of Puerto Ayora close to the Angelique Art Gallery!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_l--nmDRwI/AAAAAAAAAQw/oEG1JqY1rmI/s1600/Tropical-bird-Restaurante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_l--nmDRwI/AAAAAAAAAQw/oEG1JqY1rmI/s400/Tropical-bird-Restaurante.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mAwNypBKI/AAAAAAAAARI/zIBIki79YvQ/s1600/Mapa-Puerto-Ayora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mAwNypBKI/AAAAAAAAARI/zIBIki79YvQ/s400/Mapa-Puerto-Ayora.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Our first visit was to the Darwin´s Research Station in Santa Cruz. This amazing place was the perfect setting to begin our birding-photographic expedition of the islands.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mCQtSZIXI/AAAAAAAAARQ/5amWQ7YJF0o/s1600/Charles-Darwin-Research-Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mCQtSZIXI/AAAAAAAAARQ/5amWQ7YJF0o/s400/Charles-Darwin-Research-Station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Soon we were surrounded by birds from the ground, air, and sea. It was a bombardment to our senses that filled my camera cards quickly. The Firgate birds called my attention whit loud scream putting a air show that only pictures can describe:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mC3BjUYLI/AAAAAAAAARY/aJyqS0j2Fqw/s1600/Mafnificen+Frigatebird_Fregata+magnificens_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mC3BjUYLI/AAAAAAAAARY/aJyqS0j2Fqw/s400/Mafnificen+Frigatebird_Fregata+magnificens_1758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The Lava Heron popped in front of us while it was staking some jucy red crabs that were sunbathing in the lava rocks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mD1dqwbEI/AAAAAAAAARg/mQhe6q3cny4/s1600/Lava+Heron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mD1dqwbEI/AAAAAAAAARg/mQhe6q3cny4/s400/Lava+Heron.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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The Galapagos Flycatcher came out to meet us and poised two meters away from us to make sure that we would not look at any other bird besides himself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mENtBT43I/AAAAAAAAARo/gKKg6XEka_E/s1600/Galapagos+Flycatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mENtBT43I/AAAAAAAAARo/gKKg6XEka_E/s400/Galapagos+Flycatcher.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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A pair of ground finches took the stage just a few steps away from the Flycatcher. It was amazing to see how peaceful and undisturbed these birds continued with their ritual (courtship?) while we were rapid firing pictures with telephotos and surrounding them from all angles. We were not sure which finch it was but we reassured ourselves that they must be Medium Ground Finches, instantly we knew that finch ID business was going to be a lot more difficult than what we expected. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mE_312CQI/AAAAAAAAARw/MWyPklBMaPM/s1600/Large+Ground+Finch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mE_312CQI/AAAAAAAAARw/MWyPklBMaPM/s400/Large+Ground+Finch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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As soon as we left this lovely finch couple on their own a Galapagos Mocking bird flew past our noses and perched on top of a tree just in front of us, this one was easy to identify and that was a relief. This bird was collected by Darwin and originally thought to have different variations in the different islands. Later the mockingbirds were studied by the ornithologist John Gould who concluded that these birds had evolved into new species at the different islands. This is the Galapagos Mocking bird:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mFiUOI71I/AAAAAAAAAR4/lFmODInxnYw/s1600/Galapagos+Mockingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mFiUOI71I/AAAAAAAAAR4/lFmODInxnYw/s400/Galapagos+Mockingbird.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The cacti were big, I mean really big. I had never seen such large tree-like cactuses, and then the first Cactus Finch appeared in one of the flowers with an equally big, really big beak. Then everything stoped; we admired his big beak specially adapted to penetrate deep in to the cacti flowers to reach the sweet bottom of the flower where the cactus pear is developing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mGrmg7v-I/AAAAAAAAASA/0Xx5HYT0RSo/s1600/Giant-Prickly-Pear-Cactus-Opuntia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mGrmg7v-I/AAAAAAAAASA/0Xx5HYT0RSo/s400/Giant-Prickly-Pear-Cactus-Opuntia.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mHM2I7LHI/AAAAAAAAASI/JKA2nKdnV3Y/s1600/Large+Cactus+Ground+Finch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_mHM2I7LHI/AAAAAAAAASI/JKA2nKdnV3Y/s400/Large+Cactus+Ground+Finch.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The excitement was so extreme that I forgot how hot I was becoming… The backpack, the heavy camera, the blue jeans I forgot to exchange for some cooler shorts all made my body temperature rise along with the surroundings. The sun was beating hot and everything seem to get hotter and hotter including my photographic subjects like the Lava Lizard, the Land Iguana, a few turtles and also the legendary <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-452599/The-tragedy-loveless-George-tortoise.html">Old Lonesome George! </a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here is the Female Lava Lizard:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nPI53LyaI/AAAAAAAAASg/OqIIY_echhU/s1600/Lava+Lizard+Female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nPI53LyaI/AAAAAAAAASg/OqIIY_echhU/s400/Lava+Lizard+Female.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the male Lava Lizard:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Land Iguana:</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lonesome George</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nQMcrA2pI/AAAAAAAAATA/We2xhtn-vmY/s1600/Old-George.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nQMcrA2pI/AAAAAAAAATA/We2xhtn-vmY/s400/Old-George.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The heat finally got me and I had to take a rest at the gift shop near the end of the Darwin Trail. The cool down took about and hour and then we resumed our walk back to town. As we walked back to our hotel we noticed another perfect spot for taking pictures: The fishermen´s dock! We got some really nice pictures of the Lava Seagull, Laughing Gull, the Brown Pelican, and again the Magnificent Frigatebird.<br />
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Look carefully there are five pelicans in the picture!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nQvovdxeI/AAAAAAAAATI/sAOQ3APekJM/s1600/Fishermen-Dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nQvovdxeI/AAAAAAAAATI/sAOQ3APekJM/s400/Fishermen-Dock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nRHzg0TnI/AAAAAAAAATQ/mtbLwD-OHp0/s1600/Lava+Gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nRHzg0TnI/AAAAAAAAATQ/mtbLwD-OHp0/s400/Lava+Gull.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nRXJJl6cI/AAAAAAAAATY/4HbZ953mmew/s1600/Laughing+Gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nRXJJl6cI/AAAAAAAAATY/4HbZ953mmew/s400/Laughing+Gull.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nRiEVVOAI/AAAAAAAAATg/i2TlC_T1pI4/s1600/Brown+Pelican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nRiEVVOAI/AAAAAAAAATg/i2TlC_T1pI4/s400/Brown+Pelican.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nR_CFRyoI/AAAAAAAAATw/Uklh3T7w2e0/s1600/Magnificent+Frigatebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S_nR_CFRyoI/AAAAAAAAATw/Uklh3T7w2e0/s400/Magnificent+Frigatebird.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Our first day at Santa Cruz was wonderful so we decided to leave early the next morning to Isabella which is the largest island and has a reputation of having more selection of birds!<br />
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</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-15893033919814000782010-06-07T10:27:00.002-05:002010-06-08T17:14:16.384-05:00Birding Yanacocha - New Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another day at Magical Yanacocha Reserve. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) made an unusual appearance. This is the second time I photograph the condor, the firs time was in Puluahua; see my first blog in 2010.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0IIFp_UjI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/Y_EMGzG2nn4/s1600/Andean-Condor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0IIFp_UjI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/Y_EMGzG2nn4/s400/Andean-Condor.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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I originally thougt its was the majestic Black-and-chestnut Eagle, but Derek Kverno corrected me and appears to be a dark-morph Variable Hawk (<em><strong>Buteo polyosoma</strong></em>). The dark underside and the tail band look very similar to the eagle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0J_-MzEBI/AAAAAAAAAXg/i0OwOApeIT8/s1600/Black-and-Chestnut-Eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0J_-MzEBI/AAAAAAAAAXg/i0OwOApeIT8/s400/Black-and-Chestnut-Eagle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0KP8B_BwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Ps8gctFzAwk/s1600/Black-and-Chestnut-Eagle_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0KP8B_BwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Ps8gctFzAwk/s400/Black-and-Chestnut-Eagle_0640.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
This is the first time I see the Purple-backed Thornbill (<em><strong>Ramphomicron microrhynchum</strong></em>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0NZzdQEJI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/rs6dQllan2s/s1600/Purple-backed+Thornbill_Ramphomicron+microrhynchum_0814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0NZzdQEJI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/rs6dQllan2s/s400/Purple-backed+Thornbill_Ramphomicron+microrhynchum_0814.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And also for the first time a nice picture of the White-throated Tyrannulet (<em><strong>Mecocerculus-leucophrys</strong></em>):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0ODBrJLxI/AAAAAAAAAYY/b0AkR_KHYjo/s1600/White-throated-Tyrannulet_Mecocerculus-leucophrys_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TA0ODBrJLxI/AAAAAAAAAYY/b0AkR_KHYjo/s400/White-throated-Tyrannulet_Mecocerculus-leucophrys_0704.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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Thanks to Carol and Dwight for staying with us and comming with me to Yanacocha Reserve.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-91313606799342374072010-05-30T20:33:00.004-05:002010-05-30T21:00:29.007-05:00Birding Galapagos Islands – Darwin´s Finches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">INTRODUCTION</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>On a recent (late) honeymoon trip to Galapagos my wife and I spent 7 days in the three main islands. We enjoyed every minute of our honeymoon/vacation and also made it into a birding trip. We experienced a lot of difficulties identifying the finches and became very interested in these thought provoking birds. We manage to identify some of them immediately but it has taken us a few months to gain enough knowledge to try to identify all the pictures of the finches that we took. <br />
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We are presenting the pictures along with identification characteristics so you can participate in the challenge. We will welcome any suggestions and changes so feel free to comment and we will update the blog to reflect the better judgment or knowledge from other people who will read this blog.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">DARWINS FINCHES </div><br />
These 13 different species of small birds have become the central focus of many studies that help shape human thought regarding our theory of evolution. It is believed that all of the Galapagos Finches come from a common ancestor of a dull-colored grassquit (Tiaris obscura) species that came to the islands no earlier than three million years ago. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK95SHNHmI/AAAAAAAAAT4/G4kyxpRb0AU/s1600/dull-color-grassquit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK95SHNHmI/AAAAAAAAAT4/G4kyxpRb0AU/s400/dull-color-grassquit.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">GROUND FINCHES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Starting with the family of the Ground Finches there are six species found. Each finch has adapted to special feeding conditions and has developed different beak characteristics to match. Their beaks are used mainly for crushing seeds and fruit but also feed on insects, buds and flowers.<br />
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<strong>The Large Ground-Finch</strong> (<em><strong>Geospiza magnirostris</strong></em>) is the biggest of all the finches (16 cm) has a very large beak used for cracking large seeds, fruits, and a very small quantity of insects. The male is jet black with white under tail coverts and the female is brown with gray underneath and a streaked throat. These finches are not very common and generally found solitarily feeding on the ground.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK-lhHWoVI/AAAAAAAAAUA/vzgnMxctvxg/s1600/Large+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+magnirostris-Male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK-lhHWoVI/AAAAAAAAAUA/vzgnMxctvxg/s400/Large+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+magnirostris-Male.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK-8pcMWNI/AAAAAAAAAUI/QtsIAkxp6-Q/s1600/Large+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+magnirostris_Female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK-8pcMWNI/AAAAAAAAAUI/QtsIAkxp6-Q/s400/Large+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+magnirostris_Female.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Medium Ground-Finch</strong> (<em><strong>Geospiza fortis</strong></em>) is the second biggest of the ground finches (12 cm) with a large beak which is a little more elongated. The colors are identical to the Large Finch, are much more common and feed on the ground in groups. These finches feed mostly on seeds, fruits, and a very small quantity of insects.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK_TPNfgAI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/wjcSa_bS9zU/s1600/Medium+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fortis_1849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK_TPNfgAI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/wjcSa_bS9zU/s400/Medium+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fortis_1849.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK_nwwYVfI/AAAAAAAAAUY/cZ0G2mYfp1k/s1600/Medium+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fortis_1858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAK_nwwYVfI/AAAAAAAAAUY/cZ0G2mYfp1k/s320/Medium+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fortis_1858.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALAANqzTZI/AAAAAAAAAUg/DuySfb1sIaM/s1600/Medium+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fortis_Rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALAANqzTZI/AAAAAAAAAUg/DuySfb1sIaM/s400/Medium+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fortis_Rear.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Small Ground-Finch</strong> (<strong><em>Geospiza fuliginosa</em></strong>) is the smallest of the ground finches (11 cm) with a shorter beak. His colors are almost identical to the other ground finches; they are very common and also feed mostly on seeds, fruits, and a small quantity of insects.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALAulQg_7I/AAAAAAAAAUo/-pdiybCt4js/s1600/Small+Ground+Finch_Geospiza-fuliginosa_Male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALAulQg_7I/AAAAAAAAAUo/-pdiybCt4js/s320/Small+Ground+Finch_Geospiza-fuliginosa_Male.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALA7EtxvTI/AAAAAAAAAUw/fWik_r4Wxzk/s1600/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_Female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALA7EtxvTI/AAAAAAAAAUw/fWik_r4Wxzk/s320/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_Female.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALBPC3n92I/AAAAAAAAAU4/ZMFMCLycFSQ/s1600/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_Male1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TALBPC3n92I/AAAAAAAAAU4/ZMFMCLycFSQ/s400/Small+Ground-Finch_Geospiza+fuliginosa_Male1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<strong>Sharp-beaked Ground-Finch</strong> (<em><strong>Geospiza difficilis</strong></em>) is also a small finch (12 cm) with a longer beak than the Small Ground-Finch. His colors are also the same as the others but these are not as common only appearing on some islands. It is known that these finches in the islands of Darwin and Wolf have developed a special behavior that has given them the name of Vampire Finches. It has been observed that these finches will peck at the Masked Boobies in search of lices and draw blood which they drink. These finches also steal the eggs by rolling them until they break to drink their contents. <br />
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<strong>Common Cactus-Finch</strong> (<em><strong>Geospiza scandens</strong></em>) is a large finch (14 cm) with a very long and slightly curved beak . The male is black and the females have brown streaks with a gray belly. These finches are very common and can be easily found perched on a cactus pear flower digging for the young cactus pear that lies underneath the yellow flowers. They also feed on seeds, fruits, and insects.<br />
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First we look at the finches in Santa Cruz:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMAp_mBMyI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Ykq9lUXyPb0/s1600/Common+Cactus-Finch+_Geospiza+scandens_Santa+Cruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMAp_mBMyI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Ykq9lUXyPb0/s400/Common+Cactus-Finch+_Geospiza+scandens_Santa+Cruz.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMBBHa3TJI/AAAAAAAAAVI/1mpH4H8ahjY/s1600/Common+Cactus-Finch+_Geospiza+scandens_Santa+Cruz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMBBHa3TJI/AAAAAAAAAVI/1mpH4H8ahjY/s400/Common+Cactus-Finch+_Geospiza+scandens_Santa+Cruz2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> Now we look at the finches from Isabela:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMBeO7UZzI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/19SdhJuKJ2Q/s1600/Common+Cactus-Finch_Geospiza+scandens_Isabela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMBeO7UZzI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/19SdhJuKJ2Q/s400/Common+Cactus-Finch_Geospiza+scandens_Isabela.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMByf6mpeI/AAAAAAAAAVY/NkmZS3MYme4/s1600/Common-Cactus-Finch_Geospiza-scandens_Isabela-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMByf6mpeI/AAAAAAAAAVY/NkmZS3MYme4/s400/Common-Cactus-Finch_Geospiza-scandens_Isabela-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Finally we look at the finches from San Cristobal:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMC31KY0SI/AAAAAAAAAVw/0fAICOEEK5Y/s1600/Common-Cactus-Finch_Geospiza-scandens_San+Cristobal-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMC31KY0SI/AAAAAAAAAVw/0fAICOEEK5Y/s320/Common-Cactus-Finch_Geospiza-scandens_San+Cristobal-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It seems that the Common Cactus Finches from Sata Cruz have longer beaks!</div><br />
<strong>Large Cactus-Finch</strong> (<em><strong>Geospiza conirostris</strong></em>) is a large finch (15 cm) with a large beak that is not curved or as long as the other cactus finch. It is not very common and can only be found on Española, Genovesa, Dawin, and Wolf. He can also be spotted on the cactus pear flowers but also feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects.<br />
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Here is a table that presents the feeding habits of the different Ground Finches in the different Islands. The entire artivle can be found here : <a href="http://www.environnement.ens.fr/perso/claessen/pdf/evolution/Abbott-etal1977ecolomonogr.pdf">http://www.environnement.ens.fr/perso/claessen/pdf/evolution/Abbott-etal1977ecolomonogr.pdf</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">TREE FINCHES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The tree finches are a second subcategory found mostly on trees and their diet include a large percentage of insects. Most of them have a dark brown back with a gray head and white or streaked breast. Their beaks are sharper than the Ground finches and described as a grasping bill with biting tips. Each one of these finches have highly specialized beaks that have adapted to the local conditions that have forced specific speciation. <br />
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The <strong>Woodpecker Finch</strong> (<strong><em>Cactospiza pallida</em></strong>) is a very large finch (18 cm) with a pale gray underside and an olive brownish back, there is no sexual dimorphism. The beak is very long, curved, and sharp. Its peculiar ability is to use a small twig as a tool to dig grubs out of their hiding spots; the tool is a compensation needed for having a short tongue. Studies have determined that these birds will use the tool to obtain as much as 50% of their food.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMHM6AMmnI/AAAAAAAAAWI/YIFIm82pz-4/s1600/Woodpecker+Finch_Cactospiza+pallida_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMHM6AMmnI/AAAAAAAAAWI/YIFIm82pz-4/s400/Woodpecker+Finch_Cactospiza+pallida_1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<strong>Mangrove Finch</strong> (<em><strong>Cactospiza heliobates</strong></em>) this is the most threaten finch and it is currently on the Critically Endanger List (<a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/150298/0">http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/150298/0</a> ) due to predation from black rat (Rattus rattus), feral cats and Smooth-billed Any. Also there are problems with parasites such as Philornis downs which is a fly that was introduced accidentally into Galapagos. The flies lay eggs on the nest and the blood sucking larva feed on the nestlings. It is a medium finch (14 cm) with a long beak similar to the Woodpecker Finch but a little thinner. There is no sexual dimorphism and have a brown back with a pale gray belly with streaking towards the breast and throat.<br />
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<strong>Large Tree-finch</strong> (<strong><em>Camarhynchus psittacula</em></strong>) is the largest of the tree finches (15 cm) . The male has a black head and breast forming a black hood like appearance with a yellowish belly that has streaking near the breast. The female has a olive-green plumage with a lighter yellowish belly. The beak is a powerful thick and curved beak resembling that of a parrot. They use this strong bill to tear bark in the search of insects and grubs which constitute the bulk of their diet, although they also feed fruit during the dry season.<br />
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</div><strong>Medium Tree-finch</strong> (<strong><em>Camarhynchus pauper</em></strong>) is a small finch (12 cm) endemic only to Floreana and also on the Critically Endangered List (<a href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/150295/0">http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/150295/0</a>) It is threated by Philornis downs which is a fly that was introduced accidentally into Galapagos; the flies lay eggs on the nest and the blood sucking larva feed on the nestlings reducing reproductive success. There is sexual dismorphism showing differences of color on their heads but the rest of their body is mostly grayish-brown with light yellowish underparts. The males has a darker head, neck, and upper breast while the female head color matches her back with the grayish-brown. The beak could be described as a hybrid of the Large and Small Tree-finches.<br />
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<strong>Small Tree-finch</strong> (<em><strong>Camarhynchus parvulus</strong></em>) is the smallest (11 cm) tree finch with a short curved beak. The underparts are gray and yellowish on both sexes but the male has a blacker darker head and shoulders. His beak allows him similar functions as the Large Tree-finch only on a smaller scale; he is considered an insect specialist but can consume fruit seeds and nectar during the dry season.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">OTHER FINCHES</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>There are three other finches that do not belong to the family of the Ground Finches or the Tree Finches. The warbler Finch is closest genetically to the ancestors and presumably was the earliest ramification of the finches soon to be followed by the Vegetarian Finch. There is another finch that lives in the Coco´s Islands which also was collected by Darwin and classified as one more of this group. This is called the Coco´s Finch and appears to be an earlier ancestor of the Tree Finch Family. You can get a very good mtDAN study supporting this information at this link <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC21823/">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC21823/</a><br />
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<strong>Warbler Finch</strong> (<strong><em>Certidea olivacea</em></strong>) is the smallest finch (10 cm) and is the most widespread finch of the family, it is found on all the islands. This bird has a melodic song much like a warbler and his name follows his singing reputation. The back can vary from olive green to gray depending on their habitat, the underparts are mostly light buff and some males have an orange throat-patch. They feed mostly on insects while probing with their thin beak.<br />
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Here is the male:<br />
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Here is the female:<br />
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<strong>Vegetarian Finch</strong> (<strong><em>Camarhynchus crassirostris</em></strong>) is a very large finch (16 cm) with a very strong beak and curved resembling that of a parrot and very similar to the beak of the Large Tree-finch, except the Large Tree-finch has a curved bill on the top and on the bottom parts. This finch feeds mostly on plants including fruit, flowers, seeds, nectar, and occasionally and insect. The male has a black back and head and yellowish underparts with some streaking. The females have a brown back and head while their underparts are gray and light yellow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMLtQEN0dI/AAAAAAAAAXA/jCpWBMnUg5w/s1600/Vegetarian+Finch_Camarhynchus+crassirostris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/TAMLtQEN0dI/AAAAAAAAAXA/jCpWBMnUg5w/s400/Vegetarian+Finch_Camarhynchus+crassirostris.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
The <strong>Cocos-finch</strong> (<strong><em>Pinarolxia inornata</em></strong>) is endemic to the Coco´s Islands which are located 600 km northeast of the Galapagos Islands. It is a small finch (12 cm) where the males is mostly black and the female is brown with lighter streaked underparts. This finch has a more diverse diet and is not a specialist like most of the other finches.<br />
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Please feel free to help me identify any of the above pictures.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-73799735099115718422010-04-21T20:42:00.000-05:002010-04-21T20:42:55.519-05:00Guacamayo Ridge - Cordillera Guacamayo BirdingThis trail begins at the highest point in the highway that goes from Baeza to Tena past the town of Cosanga at the Mirador La Virgen. The trail begins at 2800 meters and goes down to 1900 meters where it joins a trail made by the oil pipe that leads to the next pumping station at Sarayacu; it is possible to reach this pumping station by following the oil pipe. This is part of the Antisana Reserve and forms a biological corridor to the Sumaco National Park. It is a great place for birding but the trail is slippery with an uneven floor. This is a very good place to see the following birds:<br />
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The Black-billed Mountain Toucan<br />
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The Highland Motmot<br />
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The Green-and-black Fuiteater<br />
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The Yellow-rumped Cacique<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S8-mr3ZgioI/AAAAAAAAAQY/D4RNCz4iyME/s1600/Yellow-rumped-Cacique_Cacicus-cela_5168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S8-mr3ZgioI/AAAAAAAAAQY/D4RNCz4iyME/s400/Yellow-rumped-Cacique_Cacicus-cela_5168.jpg" width="300" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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This makes for a great stop before dropping down to the eastern lowlands.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-70166242435731077962010-04-20T17:45:00.000-05:002010-04-20T17:45:56.767-05:00Birding the East Slope - Guango and San IsidroThese two well renowned birding spots are a must visit place for all birders. The owners Carmen and Mitch are veterans of conservation and Birdwatching. Carmen and her Ecuadorinan family have been pioneers of the East slopes and now are conserving 660 hectars at San Isidro with and additional 550 hectars of co-owned land of adjacent forest. Mitch has been birding all his life starting in Florida and recently has been working with Field Guides since 1997.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://cabanasanisidro.com/pages/guango_lodge.htm">Guango</a></strong> is located just 15 minutes (11 km) down from the Papallacta town and lies at 2700 meters of altitude where some spectacular humming birds abound. This place is also famous for the Gray-breasted Mountain Toucan and the Torrent Ducks. Here are the most spectacular photos taken at Guango:<br />
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The Tourmaline Sunangel<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84hpfUFVxI/AAAAAAAAAOg/BbMAv5MlVtM/s1600/Solangel+Turmalina_Tourmaline+Sunangel_Heliangelus+exortis_4392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84hpfUFVxI/AAAAAAAAAOg/BbMAv5MlVtM/s400/Solangel+Turmalina_Tourmaline+Sunangel_Heliangelus+exortis_4392.jpg" width="300" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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The Sword-billed Hummingbird<br />
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The White-capped Dipper<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84jbSKSzAI/AAAAAAAAAO4/mRrW4D-OJQM/s1600/White+capped+Dipper_Cinclus+leucocephalus_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84jbSKSzAI/AAAAAAAAAO4/mRrW4D-OJQM/s400/White+capped+Dipper_Cinclus+leucocephalus_0739.jpg" width="300" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Torrent Duck</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84hWYuSqWI/AAAAAAAAAOY/hdxTue7R7Tg/s1600/Pato+Torrentero_Torrent+Duck_Merganetta+armata_0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84hWYuSqWI/AAAAAAAAAOY/hdxTue7R7Tg/s400/Pato+Torrentero_Torrent+Duck_Merganetta+armata_0569.jpg" width="300" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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<strong><a href="http://cabanasanisidro.com/index.htm">Cabañas San Isidro</a></strong> are located approximately one hour further down the main highway that goes to Tena, well past the town of Baeza (about 20 minutes) and just before the small town of Cosanga. It lies at 2050 meters altitude and the surrounding forest ranges from 1850 to 2400 meters of altitude. The lodge itself is home for many birds, including Carmen and Mitch :), like the famous Black-and-white Owl, the noisy Inca Jays, the cool Masked Trogon, the White-bellied Antpitta, and specialty hummingbirds like the Bronzy Inca, the Collared Inca, and the Long-tailed Sylph. Here are the best pictures of these birds:<br />
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The Black-and-white Owl<br />
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The Inca Jay<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84oz-ZoNzI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/5JkD_79y6yU/s1600/Inca+Jay_Cyanocorax+yncas_4700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84oz-ZoNzI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/5JkD_79y6yU/s400/Inca+Jay_Cyanocorax+yncas_4700.jpg" width="287" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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The Masked Trogon<br />
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The White-bellied Antpitta<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84pvccY8OI/AAAAAAAAAPg/MzbZYwpYucQ/s1600/White-bellied+Antpitta_Grallaria+hypoleuca_4786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S84pvccY8OI/AAAAAAAAAPg/MzbZYwpYucQ/s400/White-bellied+Antpitta_Grallaria+hypoleuca_4786.jpg" width="287" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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The Bronzy Inca<br />
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The Collared Inca<br />
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The Long-tailed Sylph<br />
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In summary if you haven´t been there then you must go there.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-90185246618655460542010-04-12T08:00:00.004-05:002010-04-20T16:15:57.755-05:00Papallacta Pass Antennas and Lakes – Cayambe-Coca ReserveThis amazing place at 4000 meters altitude (13,100 ft) is part of the Cayambe-Coca Reserve and lies at the top of the mountain range on the road that goes to Papallacta and Baeza. Its entrance is at the highest point in the highway before the descent begins and is on the left hand side when going towards Papallacta. There is a dirt road that leads to the park entrance check-point. If no one is at the chained gate, then open it and continue to the building to pay the park entrance fee, $5 for foreigners. This road is a great place to bird for the high altitude birds and also to admire the magical eco-system that the high altitude on the way up to the antennas.<br />
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The Bar-winged Cinclodes<br />
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The Stout-billed Cinclodes<br />
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The Many-striped Canastero<br />
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The Andean Tit- spinetail<br />
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The magic Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe<br />
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The Variable Hawk<br />
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The Tawny Antpitta probably a juvenile.<br />
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This is truly a magical eco-system and must be visited!Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-74025840330614651412010-04-09T10:16:00.001-05:002010-04-09T10:16:55.358-05:00Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve - Birding Inside a VolcanoThe Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve is our home and provides excellent birding for those looking for birds in the Inter-Andean valleys. In the past, these valleys where filled with forest but the heavy population density have destroyed them since the Spanish arrived. The Puluahua Reserve is home of a small piece of that forest that disappeared long ago. There are many birds found in this area that are difficult to find elsewhere but specifically our Rusty-breasted Antpitta steals the show. This special bird can be found in southern Ecuador and only in the Pululahua Volcano on the northern side of Ecuador. Some people have commented that this bird needs to be reclassified since it appears to be different of the other Antpittas found in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Here are a few birds found during this years birding tours:<br />
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The Rusty-breasted Antpitta -<em> Grallaricula ferrugineipectus</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zADvetHWI/AAAAAAAAAMo/EPN_nO4ztP8/s1600/Rusty-breasted+Antpitta_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zADvetHWI/AAAAAAAAAMo/EPN_nO4ztP8/s400/Rusty-breasted+Antpitta_0118.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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The Rufous-chested Tanager - <em>Tlypopses ornata</em><br />
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The Golden-crowned Tanager - <em>Iridosornis rufivertex</em><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zFpfJ8OXI/AAAAAAAAANA/Nt4HKIN1b5Y/s1600/Golden-crowned+Tanager_Iridosornis+rufivertex152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zFpfJ8OXI/AAAAAAAAANA/Nt4HKIN1b5Y/s400/Golden-crowned+Tanager_Iridosornis+rufivertex152.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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The Cinereus Conebill - <em>Conirostrum cinereum</em><br />
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The Plushcap - <em>Catamblyrhynchus diadema</em><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zG9QE9svI/AAAAAAAAANI/pcp5PCqiMnk/s1600/Plushcap_Catamblyrhynchus+diadema_0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zG9QE9svI/AAAAAAAAANI/pcp5PCqiMnk/s400/Plushcap_Catamblyrhynchus+diadema_0137.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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The Red-headed Cotinga - <em>Ampelion rubrocristatus</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zH3wQT_DI/AAAAAAAAANQ/5B0RjPUmZSk/s1600/Red+Crested+Cotinga_+Ampelion+Rubrocristatus_6048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zH3wQT_DI/AAAAAAAAANQ/5B0RjPUmZSk/s400/Red+Crested+Cotinga_+Ampelion+Rubrocristatus_6048.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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And here is an amazing picture of FIGHT-IN-FLIGHT of two visitors the Variable Hawk and the Caranculated Caracara:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zI-sNcR0I/AAAAAAAAANY/Vb6q-Rn_xKw/s1600/Variable+Hawk+and+Caranculated+Caracara_1544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7zI-sNcR0I/AAAAAAAAANY/Vb6q-Rn_xKw/s400/Variable+Hawk+and+Caranculated+Caracara_1544.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The altitude variation in the reserve range from 1800 meters to 3200 meters so there is a large bird list to work with and many places within the reserve have different birds.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-14445111586925981282010-04-06T11:35:00.003-05:002010-04-06T16:29:09.630-05:00Mindo Birding Capital of Ecuador and Yellow HouseWithout a doubt the town of Mindo is a perfect place to base birding trips for the northwest slopes of Ecuador. This small town is filled with hostals, birding guides, and birding-tour-offers that one could spend more than a week birding around the many private and government reserves that surround the town. For this reason we have chosen the Garzon Family and their <a href="http://ecuadormindobirds.com/">Yellow House</a> farm as our base for the tours on the nearby slopes.<br />
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This picture was taken by Mike Bergin of <a href="http://www.10000birds.com/">1000birds</a> and states that a protected forest assure the supply of water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7TFpuR_qPI/AAAAAAAAAJo/HFu2AWcfzxU/s1600/yellowhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7TFpuR_qPI/AAAAAAAAAJo/HFu2AWcfzxU/s400/yellowhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This welcoming place has five wonderful well marked trails that provide choice birding spots that overlook the town of Mindo.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 200 hectares of forest protected by this family provide ample space to see a great variety of birds like the Streaked Flycatcher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7Tm8t3o6SI/AAAAAAAAAKA/aytE9T7iVzs/s1600/Streaked-Flycatcher_1241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7Tm8t3o6SI/AAAAAAAAAKA/aytE9T7iVzs/s400/Streaked-Flycatcher_1241.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Masked Water-tyrant</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7Tm2FphmjI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/33lPUZtRKXQ/s1600/Masked-water-Tyrant_6137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7Tm2FphmjI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/33lPUZtRKXQ/s400/Masked-water-Tyrant_6137.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Common Potoo around the farm house:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7TneYhI-xI/AAAAAAAAAKI/7FojVHAPH-g/s1600/Common-Potoo_6179jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7TneYhI-xI/AAAAAAAAAKI/7FojVHAPH-g/s400/Common-Potoo_6179jpg.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Mindo-Nambillo Gorvernment Reserve of 19,200 ha extends to the south east of Mindo providing a huge protected area for the birds in these lands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some of the most fascinating birds found around Mindo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Black-and-White Hawk Eagle:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Choco Tucan:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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And also humming birds like the White-necked Jacobin<br />
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The Green-crowened-Woodnymph<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7Ttmx-T08I/AAAAAAAAAKw/UBNhoh2Ij8w/s1600/Green-crowened-Woodnymph_6541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7Ttmx-T08I/AAAAAAAAAKw/UBNhoh2Ij8w/s400/Green-crowened-Woodnymph_6541.jpg" width="372" /></a><br />
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The Mindo area has won three consecutive years the Audubon Christmas Bird Count.<br />
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Download the <a href="http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/pdf/AB_109_1-9.pdf">109th Christmas Bird count here</a>.<br />
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</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-76439862002359541162010-04-03T16:33:00.000-05:002010-04-06T16:33:53.507-05:00The Heavy Oil Pipeline OCP - Birding Oleoducto de Crudos PesadosThe OCP was the latest heavy oil pipeline that cut our country from the Amazon to the port of Esmeraldas. This very large oil pipe (20" diameter or 80 cm) was designed to follow a straight route from east to west cutting through many forest reserves on its way. This pipe cuts through the Cayambe Coca Reserve, the Antisana Reserve, the Cuenca Alta del Guayllabamba, and one of the most Important Bird Areas IBA the Mindo-Nambillo reserve. The danger of oil spillage is constant due to high sismic risk and land slides due to excessive deforestation. For this reason there must be access roads and well maitained trails that provide access to the pipeline and this provides for easy access to interesting areas inside the forest where we can find wonderful birds. <br />
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Here are some pictures at a private reserve managed by Mindo Cloud Forest which is cut by this pipeline; it is found on the EcoRuta about 15 minutes from the San Tadeo entrance. <br />
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The Black-billed Mountain Toucan<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7UncENZUMI/AAAAAAAAAK4/bPaJdlGq9g0/s1600/Black-billed-Mountain+Toucan+_9905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S7UncENZUMI/AAAAAAAAAK4/bPaJdlGq9g0/s400/Black-billed-Mountain+Toucan+_9905.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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The Barred-fruiteater<br />
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The Pearled-treerunner<br />
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For more information on this reserve contact <a href="http://www.mindocloudforest.org/">Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation</a>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-61993475353853325462010-04-02T07:52:00.002-05:002010-04-06T16:31:48.929-05:00Mangaloma Reserve - Primary Forest near Choco RegionThe Mangaloma Reserve is owned and protected by two nature-caring people who are very interested in the health and well beeing of all living things. This private reserve continues to surprise birders with some very exotic-choco endemic birds like the Banded Ground Cuckoo, the Long-wattled Umbrelabird, and the lastest find of the Roufus-crowned Atnpitta. Although I have not had the luck to see these birds in my trips to this reserve I will share some other wonderful birds below.<br />
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Indigo-crowned Quail Dove:<br />
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The Plumbeus Kite<br />
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The Maked Tityra<br />
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The Green Kingfisher<br />
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The bird list for this reserve seems endless.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-4285443820311470462010-04-01T08:35:00.000-05:002010-04-01T08:35:40.789-05:00Refugio Paz de las Aves - Birding for Conservation - Day 2Global warming has many causes but today all of them point to the human race. We are the cause of the current destruction of our home! Government´s can´t stop it, organizations can´t stop it, and most people only talk about it. Angel, Rodrigo, and the rest of their family are one of the few pioneers that have dedicated their last 5 years of their life to sustainable tourism. In doing so they have become a perfect example of conservation though birding and by birders. Visit his site and support his project <a href="http://www.refugiopazdelasaves.com/">http://www.refugiopazdelasaves.com/</a><br />
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This birdwatchers paradise is a must see for those who believe that birdwatching = conservation<br />
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Here are some spectacular pictures I gathered in my recent visits. <br />
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The show starts very early at 5:30 am when we descend in the dark to the house of the majestic Cock of the Rock. This wonderful bird wakes up early every day to begin a courtship display of sounds and valet-like dance flapping their wings and ducking their body. The dance and song contest goes on until some of the most successful male dancers convince the females to follow them to more private forest quarters.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Meet one of the male dancers the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock - <em><strong>Rupicola peruviana</strong></em></div><br />
Second we will meet the Antpitta family that lurks in the forest and come out at a breakfast call.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maria is a Giant-Antpitta </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Willie a Yellow-breasted Antpitta</div><br />
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Jose is a shy Moustached-Antpitta<br />
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Next we will meet the family that hangs out at the fruit table set in bright colors and delicious fruits to attract them to the feast:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The Toucan Barbet joins in with a seven colored suit!</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The Black-chinned-Mountain-Tanager follows with a four color outfit.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The next invite displays a three color suit: meet the Crimson-rumped-Toucanet <em><strong>Aulacorhynchus-haematopygus</strong></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31KQ32HOEI/AAAAAAAAAIo/qydpuqpD8sw/s1600-h/Olivaceous-Phia_Snowornis-cryptolophus_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31KQ32HOEI/AAAAAAAAAIo/qydpuqpD8sw/s640/Olivaceous-Phia_Snowornis-cryptolophus_1567.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next guess shows a beautiful olive suit with yellow rays; the pretigious Olivaceous-Phia - <strong><em>Snowornis-cryptolophus</em></strong></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Look at the moss-crown of this distinguished guest!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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When this guest shows up with her dark suit and bad manners; all other invites flee!<br />
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Finally when the feast is finished we move upward along the path where we met the Quail family who came out to the beck and call of food.<br />
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Food run by the Dark-backed-Wood.Quail - <em><strong>Odontophorus-erythrops</strong></em><br />
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Finally as we puffed our way up near the top of the forest we find that yet another sweet feast has been set up for the local hummer family. Here are some of the elusive guest that agreed to be photographed:.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31kYxzycBI/AAAAAAAAAJI/19dAlVudsAM/s1600-h/Empress-Brilliant_Heliodoxa-impratrix_3785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31kYxzycBI/AAAAAAAAAJI/19dAlVudsAM/s400/Empress-Brilliant_Heliodoxa-impratrix_3785.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Empress Brillant</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31k-TjYNtI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/uvkoRBRth2s/s1600-h/Brown-Inca_Coeligena-wilson_3804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31k-TjYNtI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/uvkoRBRth2s/s400/Brown-Inca_Coeligena-wilson_3804.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brown-Inca - <strong><em>Coeligena wilsoni</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31lVHLkRRI/AAAAAAAAAJY/R_siO9-qato/s1600-h/Great-billed-Hermit_Phaethornis-malaris_2156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31lVHLkRRI/AAAAAAAAAJY/R_siO9-qato/s400/Great-billed-Hermit_Phaethornis-malaris_2156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Great-billed-Hermit - <strong><em>Phaethornis-malaris</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31l6-SoHJI/AAAAAAAAAJg/39Me8ocwTcg/s1600-h/Unknown_2138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S31l6-SoHJI/AAAAAAAAAJg/39Me8ocwTcg/s640/Unknown_2138.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so many guest that we lost track of their names.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the end we were also very hungry and were invited by the Paz family to a typical breakfast with coffee and bolon, typical plantain ball with cheese and spices. Just as we were filling up the "tortillas de viento" came along to complete this wonderful gluttonous visit of birds and food!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-71064809651717933002010-02-07T16:57:00.000-05:002010-04-07T12:00:12.962-05:00Ecuador East and West Slopes Birding Tour EcoRutaAfter a quick lunch we departed from Yanacocha and descended through the old Nono-Mindo road. We stopped at Nono for some sweet corn, fresh cheese and faba beans. This typical Andean food tastes best near small towns where the produce is fresh and sometimes organic. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This road was constructed many years ago to provide access to the Mindo area. There are historical records that indicate that this road was constructed following existing trails that were used by the indigenous people of the area called the Yumbos. These trails were also used by the invading Incas in search of local tribes to conquer; later the spanish used these same trails to search for the hidden Inca treasure and later to gain access to the western forest and beaches in Esmeraldas where there were stories that large emeralds had been found. This amazing road drops from 3300 meters down to 1800 meters and presents some amazing opportunities to see a wide range of birds from the comfort of the car. Since this is a public road one must always be careful of aproaching traffic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AaeXTm_jI/AAAAAAAAAGY/62PZFfcrEIQ/s1600-h/Crimson-mantled-Woodpecker_Piculus-rivolii_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AaeXTm_jI/AAAAAAAAAGY/62PZFfcrEIQ/s400/Crimson-mantled-Woodpecker_Piculus-rivolii_0431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Crimson-mantled-Woodpecker - <em>Piculus-rivolii</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This historical road is very picturesque and provides an interesting apreciation of how the andean slopes which have been deforested for many years give way to a small piece of untouched primary forests on the western slopes. This area still has primary forest due to the ruggeness of the terrain; the steep walls have trees with roots like cat-claws that allows them to stay erect on the almost vertical walls. This area has also become prime ground for sprouting private reserves in an effort to find a way to keep these forest preserved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AeS1574NI/AAAAAAAAAGg/CbZVI2h6V8E/s1600-h/Roadside-Hawk_Buteo-magnirostris_9096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AeS1574NI/AAAAAAAAAGg/CbZVI2h6V8E/s400/Roadside-Hawk_Buteo-magnirostris_9096.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Roadside Hawk - <em>Buteo magnirostris</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately these primary forests have also been put at risk by the OCP pipeline that cut through the forest crossing the andes from the Amazon to the port of Esmeraldas. This pipeline was installed with huge flying caterpilars that hung from the clifs while they buried this large pipe in a straight line whithout taking into consideration the biodiversity of this region. The current major risk to the area come from land slides or ground movements that can break the pipeline spilling oil on the land and rivers. The OCP must maintain acess trails along the burriend pipeline so we took one of these trails in search of the local Black-billed Mountain-Toucan (<em>Andigena laminirostris).</em> This pipeline access trails enter one of the private reserves owned by <a href="http://www.mindocloudforest.org/">Mindo Cloudforest Foundadion</a> where saw this beautiful Toucan, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AYgCJBSxI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/RfOUwFI88-c/s1600-h/Black-billed-Mountain-Toucan_Andigena-laminirostris_9905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AYgCJBSxI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/RfOUwFI88-c/s400/Black-billed-Mountain-Toucan_Andigena-laminirostris_9905.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Mountain-Toucan -<em> Andigena laminirostris</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found other birds like the Andean Guan - <em>Penelope montagnii </em>and the Red-billed Parrot - <em>Pionus sordidus.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Andean Guan - Penelope montagnii <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3Al7ljaC5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/D6N3OhaSs9c/s1600-h/Red-billed-Parrot_Pionus-sordidus_6530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3Al7ljaC5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/D6N3OhaSs9c/s400/Red-billed-Parrot_Pionus-sordidus_6530.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Red-billed Parrot - Pionus sordidus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another spot near the town of Tandayapa produced a nice mixed flock and took some good picutres of the Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Red-headed Barber, Squirrel Cuckoo, Streak-necked Flycatcher, and a large flock of Red-billed-Parrots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AxHQvmEFI/AAAAAAAAAHA/jSDpSSh3AM8/s1600-h/Dusky-capped-Flycatcher_Myiarchus-tuberculifer_9038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AxHQvmEFI/AAAAAAAAAHA/jSDpSSh3AM8/s400/Dusky-capped-Flycatcher_Myiarchus-tuberculifer_9038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Dusky-capped-Flycatcher - <em>Myiarchus-tuberculifer</em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3Axeqk5hlI/AAAAAAAAAHI/iJAjuaVmDoI/s1600-h/Red-headed-Barbet_8986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3Axeqk5hlI/AAAAAAAAAHI/iJAjuaVmDoI/s400/Red-headed-Barbet_8986.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Red-headed Barber (female) - <em>Eubucco bourcierii</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AyWHcCuhI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/vICcTMGhwRQ/s1600-h/Squirrel-Cuckoo_Piaya-cayana_8991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AyWHcCuhI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/vICcTMGhwRQ/s400/Squirrel-Cuckoo_Piaya-cayana_8991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Squirrel-Cuckoo - <em>Piaya-cayana</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AyyrBoZvI/AAAAAAAAAHY/z4cH1et2f9c/s1600-h/Streak-necked-Flycatcher_Mionectes-striaticollis_8956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AyyrBoZvI/AAAAAAAAAHY/z4cH1et2f9c/s400/Streak-necked-Flycatcher_Mionectes-striaticollis_8956.jpg" width="400" /></a><em></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em> </em> Streak-necked-Flycatcher<em> - Mionectes-striaticollis</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AzTeKYnVI/AAAAAAAAAHg/0tue8GfMTi4/s1600-h/Red-billed-Parrot_Pionus-sordidus_9076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S3AzTeKYnVI/AAAAAAAAAHg/0tue8GfMTi4/s400/Red-billed-Parrot_Pionus-sordidus_9076.jpg" width="400" /></a><em></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em> </em>Red-billed-Parrots <em>- Pionus-sordidus</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Ecoruta, also known as the Paseo del Quinde, is a road that always brings out great variety of birds as one travels through its windy road descending though the western slope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is what Mike Bergin has t o say on his blog <a href="http://10000birds.com/riding-the-ecoroute.htm">http://10000birds.com/riding-the-ecoroute.htm</a> about this route:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"What makes Ecuador one of the best countries for birdwatching in the world, bar none? Obviously, the highest species diversity per square mile doesn’t hurt. But Ecuador goes above and beyond in the service of sensational wildlife watching. How many countries do you know that have a road dedicated to birding?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On this first day of birding we were bombarded from the highlands to the sub-tropical forest and survived for an evening rest at our ecolodge inside the Puluahua Volcano.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-73389553092909087132010-02-06T22:17:00.004-05:002010-04-06T16:56:09.814-05:00Ecuador East and West Slopes Birding Tour YanacochaOn our most recent birding tour we had four days to cover the eastern and western slopes of northern Ecuador. This was an overwhelming birding experience with little rest and lots of birding adrenaline that made a long list of birds and a long-lasting memory.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23u8CBEvbI/AAAAAAAAAE4/JkvnfLZiePA/s1600-h/Grupo--420px-01620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23u8CBEvbI/AAAAAAAAAE4/JkvnfLZiePA/s400/Grupo--420px-01620.jpg" width="400" /></a> Here is a memorable picture at Papallacta Pass.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our two visitors: Mike Bergin from <a href="http://www.10000birds.com/">http://www.10000birds.com/</a> and David Ringer <a href="http://djringer.com/birding">http://djringer.com/birding</a> where tireless and had such keen eyes that we racked up a list of 200 species in just four mad days.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23vnNeG43I/AAAAAAAAAFA/96_q0h2p9Hg/s1600-h/Yanacocha-Trail-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23vnNeG43I/AAAAAAAAAFA/96_q0h2p9Hg/s400/Yanacocha-Trail-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our starting line began at Yanacocha Reserve at 3200 meters above sea level, on the western slopes of the Andes just north-west of Quito. The amazing collection of birds at this reserve pumped their adrenaline to a level that the lack of oxygen and cold temperatures did not seem to affect Mike´s or Dave´s physical stamina.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23xBvLOCvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/xdCW_Qm0XAM/s1600-h/Ocellated-Tapaculo_Acropternis-orthonyx_8768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23xBvLOCvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/xdCW_Qm0XAM/s400/Ocellated-Tapaculo_Acropternis-orthonyx_8768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The highest level of adrenaline was reached when we surprised the Ocelleated Tapaculo out on the open!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at those amazing claws! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23zPzV2N7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/hIf8gys7rj4/s1600-h/Sword-billed-Hummingbird_Ensifera-ensifera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23zPzV2N7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/hIf8gys7rj4/s400/Sword-billed-Hummingbird_Ensifera-ensifera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Sword-billed humming bird was the next star that heated up our cold feet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23xzV5iLEI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/VRvhNsYB6Ro/s1600-h/Sapphire-vented-Puffleg_Eriocnemis-luciani_8842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S23xzV5iLEI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/VRvhNsYB6Ro/s400/Sapphire-vented-Puffleg_Eriocnemis-luciani_8842.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The flashy Saphire-vented Puffleg warmed our heart!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S232YMp0obI/AAAAAAAAAFo/zjOZRtixZGs/s1600-h/Great-Sapphirewing_Pterophane-scyanopterus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S232YMp0obI/AAAAAAAAAFo/zjOZRtixZGs/s400/Great-Sapphirewing_Pterophane-scyanopterus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The angelical wings of the Great Sapphirewing lifted our spirit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S235KdE8KEI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ADhmO0fEb0M/s1600-h/Buff-winged-Starfrontler_Coeligena-lutetiae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S235KdE8KEI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ADhmO0fEb0M/s400/Buff-winged-Starfrontler_Coeligena-lutetiae.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hidden colors of the Buff-winged Starfrontlet blinded us with joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yanacocha pumped us full of adrenaline, warmed up our cold feet, warmed up our heart, lifted our spirit, and blinded us with joy; putting us one step closer to heaven at 3700 meters from sea level near the top of the Andes.</div>Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3533125988920864508.post-43718315424917240992010-01-29T11:12:00.016-05:002010-01-29T19:43:21.871-05:00Andean Condor Visits PululahuaOur home, The Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, has changed our life and our ways of living. We have become nature lovers, ecologists, birders, lodge owners, and every day we discover something new. We have been surprised with the most beautiful flowers, orchids, birds, mammals, and people. As a matter of fact my first date with my wife was at the edge of this volcano near the mirador, and on our second date we had a picnic inside the caldera. Now we have a wonderful life inside this volcano and feel very lucky and blessed by the beauty that surrounds us.<br />
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Yesterday we had a new blessing with the visit of the Andean Condor and we manage to see it and photograph it from our backyard. This inspired me to begin this new blog which is exclusively dedicated to birds so we can present the beauty of Pululahua and Ecuador.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2Lz19c0Y8I/AAAAAAAAAD4/cswMjJ7qDKk/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_640-0922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2Lz19c0Y8I/AAAAAAAAAD4/cswMjJ7qDKk/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_640-0922.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This female showed up at around 10:30 am from the north, our employee Victor spot it and called us to see a large volture with white wings!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L1MBPOFCI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Iy-_jd4Ylkk/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x420-0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L1MBPOFCI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Iy-_jd4Ylkk/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x420-0859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This large vulture with white wings flew from the north and swooped down inside crater untill it reach El Chivo (shown in the background).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L2JboBfrI/AAAAAAAAAEI/tFhXspGF9Qs/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L2JboBfrI/AAAAAAAAAEI/tFhXspGF9Qs/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0842.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her majestic wings spread open as to catch as much air as posible for the next beat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2MpY35m76I/AAAAAAAAAEw/UTMgA8TSXGo/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_640x0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2MpY35m76I/AAAAAAAAAEw/UTMgA8TSXGo/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_640x0841.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It circled low and beat her wings twice with great force to pickup some altitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L2-o_WuHI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/DCGP9dnr7b8/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L2-o_WuHI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/DCGP9dnr7b8/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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It passed in front of us continuing her cicle to gain altitude.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L3U1iygHI/AAAAAAAAAEY/0itY4wXZKtA/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L3U1iygHI/AAAAAAAAAEY/0itY4wXZKtA/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0835.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It circled again and again infront of El Chivo lava dome, each time climbing higher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L3uAaphPI/AAAAAAAAAEg/SKubW9rXx7E/s1600-h/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GybLX0_idks/S2L3uAaphPI/AAAAAAAAAEg/SKubW9rXx7E/s400/Condor-Andino_Andean-Condor_Vultur-gryphus_x640-0836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Once it reached certain height she stoped beating her wings and continued circling around a thermal current to gain great altitude. The condor rose above us and left toward the south where it dissapeared on its way to bless someone else.<br />
My first photos started at 10:30 am and my last photo was taken at 10:37 am. These seven breath-taken minutes marked my first encounter with a condor in flight.Pululahua Hostalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11071919483172198482noreply@blogger.com2