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
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
We drive for several hours, navigating small villages and heading into ever more remote reaches of Ecuador, until eventually we arrive at Cabañas Yankuam, 3 km from the village of Orquídeas and very close to the Peruvian border. At long last! We have arrived in … Continue readingA Boat Trip on the Río Nangaritza
I had long wanted to visit immense Podocarpus National Park, renowned as a park of megadiversity, even within a megadiverse country. It is truly a jewel of Ecuador’s park system. Cloud forest at Podocarpus National Park (Photos by Narca) Just how great is this diversity? … Continue readingPodocarpus National Park