In addition to condors and eagles mentioned in my previous posts, plenty of great birds inhabit Antisanilla Reserve of the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation.
Paramo pipits live in the high grasslands.
Paramo Pipit
Another common bird is the Bar-winged Cinclodes a member of the neotropical ovenbird family.
Bar-winged Cinclodes
Though I knew there are resident populations of Great Horned Owls in South America, I was still surprised to see one roosting in a small tree.
Great Horned Owl daytime roost
In the canyon below the cliffs where condors roost lies Laguna de Secas, a lake formed by a lava flow dam. Andean Gulls and Andean Teal use the lake. Not shown is a Muscovy Duck that also showed up at what, for it, is an unusually high altitude.
Andean Gulls and two Andean Teal
Many insectivorous species inhabit the wooded or brushy lower reaches of Antisanilla Reserve. These were more easily photographed at Tambo Condor restaurant and cabins just across from the reserve.
Flowerpiercers steal nectar by slicing into the base of the flower, thus shirking their pollination duties.
Black Flowerpiercer
Giant Hummingbirds, the largest of all hummingbirds, are about the size of a sparrow.
Giant Hummingbird
One of the smallest members of the hummingbird family from this area:
Tyrian Metaltail female
Shining Sunbeams lack the colorful gorget of many other hummingbirds, but they make it up with the iridescence on their backs.
Shining Sunbeam
Here is the world’s champion hummingbird species in tail length:
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Sparkling Violetears are common birds, even in Quito, but who can resist those ears (actually feathers, but don’t tell anyone).
Sparkling Violetear
Sparkling Violetear shows off “ears”
Sparkling Violetear colors change with the angle of the light.
While photographing at Antisanilla, I stayed in a cabin at Tambo Condor with beautiful views. Just down the slope, their guesthouse on the cliff has an even more dramatic view. It’s that little square on the side of the cliff to the left.
Laguna de Secas with Tambo Condor perched left
Here’s a peek at the inside of the guesthouse. The porches and some of the rooms have breath-taking views.
Tambo Condor guest house interior
Tambo Condor guest house interior
Tambo Condor guest house interior
Check out the view from the guesthouse porch:
Laguna de Secas as seen from Tambo Condor
The proprietors Vladimir and Veronica are not only gracious hosts, but good chefs.
Vladimir and Veronica proprietors of Tambo Condor
And thanks of course to the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation for creating and maintaining this fantastic reserve.