A lazy bird photographer’s guide to the mammals of Ecuador- November 2022

[Atravelynn]

On 1/14/2023 at 3:28 AM, kittykat23uk said:

19th November San Isidro to Quito

 

 

Overall it was a very successful trip both bird and mammal wise, the only major misses for me being the two other mountain toucans. Next stop Tasmania!

 

Successful trip is an understatement!  Earlier you stated your guides thought it was a little quieter than normal.  Did that sentiment apply to just that segment of the trip or the whole thing?  Any less quiet/more active than what you had and the bird activity would be approach the level of Alfred Hitchcock.  Tasmania must be another trip or are you jet-setting around the world?  This report is a great bird guide.  So many species you found are endowed with extremes from their colors to bills to tails.  Thanks!

[kittykat23uk]

Yeah I'm not sure really, the west slopes are supposedly better than the east. I got the impression though from people doing the amazon that they found the slopes quite in general. So I'm not sure. 

 

Tasmania is coming up fast, just a few weeks to go before I fly to Melbourne and a few days to kill there before meeting up with @ElaineAust to start our adventure 😁 can't wait!! 

[Atravelynn]

50 minutes ago, kittykat23uk said:

 

Tasmania is coming up fast, just a few weeks to go before I fly to Melbourne and a few days to kill there before meeting up with @ElaineAust to start our adventure 😁 can't wait!! 

Of course.  You need a few weeks between adventures to get through the photos.  Otherwise that could be stressful.  We don't want stressful adventures.  Hope you have a terrific time in Tasmania

[Galana]

A terrific report Jo . I just 'bumped 'into' it tonight, well last night now as it is 00.45 now. Like a good book once started I could not put it down. Not happy to learn of your flight problems and now my fingers and eyes are crossed for my flights with them next week.

The birds are amazing, as are the animals you managed to see. The only mammals I managed, apart from monkeys and the ar$e end of an Anteater, on my only visit there were the Black Agoutis at San Isidro and a Stoat on Papapallacta Pass up by the aerials. I think it was a Stoat as my guide had never seen anything like it before. Good to see the Mystery Owls are still at San Isidro as I saw one back in Jan 2011. The right hand one in your shots and video has the look of a young bird so hopefully an established population.

What with you and @michael-ibk's reports I am getting sorely tempted to honour a promise to return to San Isidro as we only had one night there  as it was a self organised add on to a longer trip when we 'truncated' a planned stay elsewhere that was proving lacking in organisation.

So many Hummers that I have got eyestrain just looking at your photos and what with the Toucans, Trogons and other beauties it is not hard to see why folks go there.

Thanks for sharing. Enjoy Tasmania.

[kittykat23uk]

Ah I wondered if you had seen my report @Galanaas I know you were looking forward to reading it. I suspect your stoat was most likely a long-tailed weasel. It is visually very similar to our stoat and is present in the area. 😁

[Galana]

4 hours ago, kittykat23uk said:

most likely a long-tailed weasel.

Could be. I only have one rubbish shot of it.

Yes I had been looking out for your report and just bumped in to it last evening. I was away over Christmas Holidays so missed it when you were posting.

Have dusted down my split copy of 'Helm' as a refresher.

(KLM have just changed our return flights from AMS but a polite discussion won us a few concessions. Don'tcha luv em?)

[Galana]

On 1/27/2023 at 1:09 AM, Galana said:

What with you and @michael-ibk's reports I am getting sorely tempted to honour a promise to return to San Isidro as we only had one night there 

Look what you made me go and do! Back to San Isidro for 5 (FIVE) nights.

[kittykat23uk]

Have a fantastic time! 

[shazdwn]

Thanks for a great report Jo, enjoyable reading and fabulous photos - incredible bird and mammal spotting.  I spent a couple of days at Mindo before our Galapagos trip but would love to go back and explore some more.  

[kittykat23uk]

Thanks, yes it was a fabulous trip!! I've just got back to the UK from Namibia, which was also awesome!!! 

[shazdwn]

On 10/16/2023 at 7:35 PM, kittykat23uk said:

Thanks, yes it was a fabulous trip!! I've just got back to the UK from Namibia, which was also awesome!!! 

Lucky you - does this mean another trip report for the rest of us to enjoy? 

[kittykat23uk]

Yes I should think so. Although I think I am a bit behind because I haven't done one for Finland either...