Gary and Dona's, and Ram and Dawn's, and Joe and Esther's
Amazing Birding Trip to Ecuador
March, 2011
Part 5: Bella Vista
From Los Bancos we returned to
Bella Vista.
Well, Ram and Dawn and Joe and Esther returned to Bella Vista.
For Dona and me, it was our first time there.
Wow! What a cool place!
The weather was overcast the whole time we were there,
but we did get a glimpse of Cotacachi volcano.
There is a big tower above the dining facility that has guest quarters.
We didn't get to stay there,
but it struck me as a cool place to stay when you are there
if you don't mind climbing up all the stairs.
There were semi-tame birds everywhere.
Hummingbirds, trogons ...
 |
 |
| Some Guest Quarters at Bella Vista Lodge |
Our Group Quarters |
 |
| Main Dining Hall, Gift Shop and Guest Facilities |
 |
 |
| Cotacachi |
Waterfall |
While we were there, Ram had a birthday.
We got the cook to make him a surprise cake.
 |
 |
| Dawn Enjoying Bella Vista Lodge |
Ram's Birthday |
There were numerous trails from Bella Vista Lodge.
In the short time we had on this visit there,
Dona and I didn't have time to explore them all.
We did some birding,
and also went on one general nature hike with a different local guide
where we learned some other interesting things.
For example...
There is a local worm about as big around as your thumb,
and up to a meter long!
We saw some holes where it goes underground,
but we didn't see an actual worm.
Phooey!
There is a tree they call "Sangre de Drago",
which means "Blood of the Dragon",
because when you cut into it,
the sap turns red when it is exposed to oxygen
and looks like blood.
Woah....
 |
 |
 |
| Fake Munched Leaf |
Giant Fern |
Sangre de Drago Tree |
 |
 |
 |
| Worm Holes |
Anolis |
Basilisk |
 |
 |
| Blue-Winged Mountain Tanager |
Blue-Winged Mountain Tanager |
 |
 |
| Xxx |
Masked Trogon |
 |
 |
 |
| Montane Woodcreeper |
Turquoise Jay |
Dusky Bush Tanager |
 |
 |
 |
Rufous Collared Sparrow
Yeah, I know, it's ubiquitous
But I'm new at this and I want credit for it! |
Xxx |
Masked Flower Piercer |
 |
 |
 |
| Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan |
Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan |
Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan |
 |
 |
| Scaled Antpitta Babies |
Xxx |
 |
 |
| Violet-Tailed Sylph |
Violet-Tailed Sylph |
 |
 |
| Booted Racket Tail |
Booted Racket Tail (Female) |
 |
 |
| Collared Inca |
Collared Inca |
 |
 |
| Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird |
Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird |
 |
| Xxx Hummingbird |
There were some pretty cool creatures in the rainforest around Bella Vista;
things which I'm sure inspire science fiction and horror film writers.
All you need to do is grow them up to elephant size and they would be terrifying.
As it was, we were afraid to touch some of them,
knowing they aren't all as warm, fuzzy and good-natured as they first appear.
 |
 |
| Rhinocerous Beetle |
Caterpillar we were afraid to touch! |
The flowers were amazing;
as usual, mother nature's creativity is far greater than mine
was as a child with a box of crayons.
 |
| Flower |
