I spent my first week back in Ecuador photographing in the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation’s Antisanilla Reserve. Just 30 miles SE of Quito, it sits on the western slopes of Antisana Volcano.
Most of the reserve is paramo, high-elevation Andean grassland. This reserve focuses on the habitat of the Andean Condor, but is home to other spectacular species, such as:
A rare sight, Doug on horseback
Spectacled bears, the only south American bears, have been sighted regularly. They spend most of their time tearing apart large bromeliads, plants in the pineapple family, known locally as achupallas, or scientifically as Puya. They eat the sweet, nutritious heart where the plant stores its nutrients.
Spectacled Bear tearing apart achupalla
Spectacled Bear, adult male
You can tell individual bears apart by their facial markings. I sighted this new bear for the reserve area. This one doesn’t have spectacles.
New individual Spectacled Bear
White-tailed deer also roam the paramo. Dogs running wild have been a problem for deer on the reserve and elsewhere.
White-tailed Deer, buck, on the paramo of Antisanilla Reserve
Female Andean Condor launches from favored perch
Male Andean Condor sails over the reserve
The condors like to bath in a waterfall that cascades down their roosting and nesting cliff. This juvenile was tagged #12 as part of a study.
Juvenile Andean Condor bathing in waterfall
Most conspicuous of all the raptors in the reserve is the Carunculated Caracara, which spends much of its time foraging on the ground.
Carunculated Caracara about to take off
Another common raptor, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, is easy to recognize by its broad wings and short tail.
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle adult soars by
Juvenile Black-chested Buzzard-Eagles are mostly brown. This one got too close to a female condor.
Andean Condor starts to chase juvenile Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle
Where orange-flowered Chuquiragua bushes grow in the paramo, the Ecuadorian Hillstar is sure to be found.
Ecuadorian Hillstar on Chuquiragua
Ecuadorian Hillstar on Chuquiragua bush
Male Ecuadorian Hillstars will often perch on the top of bushes.
Ecuadorian Hillstar male
Hillstars feed by landing on the flower rather than hovering. Females are duller in color.
Female Ecuadorian Hillstar feeds from Chuquiragua bush
The Black-faced Ibis is endangered in Ecuador, though more common farther south. It feeds in grasslands of the Antisana Ecological Reserve and in the more distant parts of Antisanilla Reserve.
Black-faced Ibis
The area of the current reserve was formerly home to thousands of cattle. Now only a few hundred graze in a restricted area to protect the paramo. This herd is maintained to provide food for the condors that dine on new born calves and the deceased cattle.
Former wetlands lost to ranching activities are now being restored by the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation.
Wetland restoration in the paramo
These wetlands are home to Andean Teal, Yellow-billed Pintails, Andean Lapwings, and migratory species such as Greater Yellowlegs and Baird’s Sandpiper. The lapwing, known locally as “gigle” (that’s pronounced HEE glay) has more of a shrill cry than a gigle.
A migratory Greater Yellowlegs (right) joins an Andean Lapwing on restored wetland
Inside the reserve is the ‘office’ of the reserve guards. Would be a great location to stay, but it could use a little work inside.
Actually, someone is doing work on the house right now–the Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant is fixing to move in.
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant carrying nest material to the eves of the house
Muchas gracias a Pancho y Fernando. Sin ellos, no hubiera podido tomar esas fotos.
Pancho Cuichán separates out achupalla seeds to plant and restore the population
Fernando and horse
With special thanks to the Jocotoco Conservation Foundation for protecting habitat for all of these creatures in their Antisanilla Reserve.