Jorupe Reserve, small as it is, protects endemic species of the Tumbesian tropical deciduous forest in southwestern Ecuador. A number of the region’s birds are globally threatened because so much of their habitat has been cleared or degraded. The Jocotoco Foundation stepped in to buy … Continue readingBirds at Jorupe Reserve
Deciduous dry forest, Tumbesian style, at Jorupe Reserve (Photos by Narca) Jorupe Reserve in extreme southwestern Ecuador is only a stone’s throw from Peru. One of the reserves under the aegis of the Jocotoco Foundation, Jorupe protects tropical deciduous forest, a habitat that has nearly … Continue readingHeading for Jorupe
Vilcabamba at dusk, from the gardens of Izhcayluma (Photos by Narca) Vilcabamba’s popularity with visitors began at least as early an Incan times, when Incan royalty came here to relax. We decide that such a venerable tradition should be continued, and spend two or three … Continue readingVilcabamba, the Sacred Valley
Remember that Podocarpus National Park is very big, and can be accessed from either east or west? Earlier, we explored the eastern Bombuscaro sector. Now it’s time for the western Cajanuma Sector! This region has easy access by road to the páramo and elfin forest … Continue readingPodocarpus National Park from Vilcabamba
It isn’t easy, but we manage to pull our attention away from the hummingbirds and Jocotoco Antpittas at Tapichalaca Reserve in southern Ecuador, and focus on other beauties of the region, both those that fly and those that do not. The cloud forest habitat holds … Continue readingOther Treats at Tapichalaca
…as of March 16, spring has come to Portal! A Desert Marble, Euchloe hyantis lotta, one of the earliest butterflies here (Photo by Narca)
In addition to Tapichalaca Reserve’s stellar resident, the Jocotoco Antpitta, many fine hummingbirds buzz around the feeders at Casa Simpson. The robust Chestnut-breasted Coronets dominate, certainly in numbers. They have the distinctive habit of holding their wings open for a moment when they alight. Chestnut-breasted … Continue readingTapichalaca’s Hummingbirds
We’ve come to Tapichalaca Reserve in southeastern Ecuador to meet a legend. The Jocotoco Antpitta (Photos by Narca) The Jocotoco Antpitta was only discovered in 1997, when ornithologist Robert Ridgely and a local guide were exploring the upper Chinchipe River drainage and heard an unfamiliar … Continue readingThe Jocotoco Antpitta
Before we leave this remote corner of southeastern Ecuador, I want to show you a few of the butterflies that appear during intervals between rain. If anyone can help with identifying the ones I don’t know (or correcting the ones I think I know), please … Continue readingDigression: Butterflies in the Cordillera del Cóndor
After our boat trip, we’re eager to head to the forest, even though it’s already late afternoon. Maycu Reserve is only about 3 km up the road from Cabañas Yankuam. And it has a spectacular resident –– the Orange-throated Tanager. I wasn’t able to photograph … Continue readingSaga of the Orange-throated Tanager