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Casa Poza Honda, Manabi Province Birds, Orange-fronted Barbet, poza honda ecuador, santa ana ecuador

Pacific Pygmy Owl – Casa Posa Honda/ owner’s garden – Manabi Province
“I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. Our everyday lives obscure a truth about existence – that at the heart of everything there lies a stillness and a light.”
― Lynn Thomson, Birding with Yeats: A Mother’s Memoir
My new home offers a serene immersion in nature; the birds – many of them new to me – stop by often, as if to pay proper respect to the newcomer. This post shares some of those birds – one species, if the ID is correct, appears to be quite special!

Calling all birders! Is this an Orange-fronted Barbet?
The RED LIST states:
Population: This is a poorly known species and no population estimates are available. It is considered generally uncommon.
Trend Justification: A moderately rapid and on-going population decline is suspected owing to habitat loss.”
And here is its range map: EBIRD-Orange Fronted Barbet
If you like birds, then scroll on down and meet more of the feathered members of the neighborhood!
“The Neighborhood’ is pictured below:

With the truck loaded with large frames, paintings and rolled canvases, I stopped on the dam to photograph the ‘Reservoir Poza Honda.” “Home” is straight across, tucked near the base of the slope.
Home sweet home; this is the yen to Casa Loca, yet it also represents a total immersion in nature. It provides a perfect setting for the next chapter.

La Casa

Look up…

Look down!
Look out the window:

6:30 am
“There is nothing in which the birds differ more from man than the way in which they can build and yet leave a landscape as it was before.” – Robert Lynd, The Blue Lion and Other Essays
There is an impressive buffer of natural and planted vegetation between the house and the lake. Would you like to walk down to explore the grounds with me? Perhaps we’ll see a few birds!

My intentions were to walk down to the lake to check the water hyacinth problem. Almost two hours later – thanks to the birds – I returned to the house!
Let’s identify the birds!

Yellow-tailed Oriole inspects the orange tree; or is that a limon-mandarina tree?
Towering bamboo, palms and hardwood trees provide a diverse environment, as do the fruit trees – lemon, orange, grapefruit, tamarind, starfruit, cashew, breadfruit – and don’t forget the coffee cherries!

A woodpecker knocked hard from the canopy of the bamboo – but – where – oh where – is… the…bird?

There you are! Not a good image, but good enough for identification! Female Lineated Woodpecker

Here’s another beauty in the tamarind tree – Golden Olive Woodpecker

More! These required consultation in the field guide: Red-rumped Woodpecker

Bamboo makes an amazing renewable resource. “Buy Bamboo” – I don’t know if this is a slogan somewhere in the Green-Earth world, but it should be!

Identification anyone?

It paused just long enough for these two shots – and then it was gone!

Southern Beardless Tyrranulet?

Ecuadorian Thrush

Buff-throated Saltador

Smooth-billed Ani

The blue-gray Tanagers thrive in many locations in Ecuador.

King Kong could live there and stay well hidden!

The Yellow-rumped Cacique colors the canopy…

Yellow-rumped Cacique shakes its rump feathers!

So is this also a Yellow-rumped Cacique?…. Look at the next image…

Whoops! Its slip is showing – Scarlet-rumped Cacique – but the eyes are blue? Red Rumped? No… Can anyone clarify, aside from range? Thanks in advance!

There are many areas that beg for timeouts for drawing and painting. Peering into a make-believe crystal ball, I see drawing and painting workshops in the future! Is anyone interested?!!!

Whooping Motmot lives up to its name, and often teases with its haunting Hooo-hoooo-hooo call. This one perched in plain view as if to ask, “Would you like an easy shot?”

The sun casts golden light through the canopy, and even if the birds become more elusive, the views remain lovely. Now that the sun has gone to sleep, perhaps I’ll switch to painting!
All photos – aside from the first shot of the owl – were taken either from a window in the house or from the yard, which stretches all the way down to the lake. The 7-kilometer long lake is known in Ecuador as “Poza Honda.”
The house I am renting is part of Casa Poza Honda. There is a second house used for tourism and has three bedrooms – $35 per night for a single or $30 per person for a double. Breakfast is not included, but there is a kitchen on each floor! It’s too ‘new’ for TripAdvisor, but I’ll write soon with lodging information on that house.

Sorry, my photos only give a tiny glimpse of this unique tourism option for immersion in nature.

The owner Jürg, is an acupuncturist, and he is sensitive to the needs of others. The wheel-chair ramp to the upper level is one example.
Thanks for taking time to explore the grounds with me! There is more to share – photos of the trails through their coffee and cacao plantings — and perhaps a coffee cherry-picking experience.

End-of-day light…
It will be several more weeks before I’m settled, so until then, Z will have a mostly-silent online presence. I’ll probably be offline until Sunday. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Streak-headed Woodcreeper
A refreshing walk through beauty, which is especially life-affirming as I look out my window to see a sky blotted by smoke from the forest fires raging in the British Columbia interior. Many towns have been evacuated and I worry about the creatures that make their home in our forests. I am doing a rain dance on a daily basis.
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about the forest fires; I’ve been online so little that only the Ecuadorian headlines flashed on the screen. I hope that the rains bring relief – pronto – and will join you in the daily rain dances…
Hey Sis, I am soooo HAPPY for you! This is beautiful & I hope one day before I get too old & crippled I can come see you & visit this lovely paradise. Hopefully, you have a closer access to airports, hospitals, & other places that are sometimes necessary & more convenient for you. Will look forward to hearing more from you. Love you, Pat
Hey Pat! Yes, it is beautiful, and it would be great if you could find your way south of the equator! Yes, Manta has an airport that connects with Quito.. Manta is about two hours away. Guayaquil Intenrational would be about five hours away…
I was so curious where you would *land* next – wow, looks amazing Lisa!! Hope to visit one day 🙂 Hugs and much love! Pat
Yes, it is lovely and peaceful – and probably less than two hours from Manta.. It will be great for you to come stay and bask in the peaceful nature of this area,,, Thinking of you… Lisa
It looks gorgeous. How long are you there for? Enjoy!
Alison
After the first hour there, I thought, “wow… I don’t ever want to leave.” After spending the night and awakening to the sound of the howler monkeys, I thought, “Uh-oh.. I may never leave…”
Hopefully it will work out that I stay there for-ever!
Happy settling, my dear Z. To accompany you during this time here is something I think you might enjoy [seeing your birds reminded me]. Reading Animalista Untamed post https://animalistauntamed.com/2017/07/25/the-app-that-wakes-you-to-a-sweet-dawn-chorus-any-time-of-day/, I downloaded this brilliant app that wakes you up with a chorus of birds [you pick which ones]. Sending love and hugs and …take breaks and rest! 🙂 xx
I enjoyed seeing that link, and wow, i am so lucky to have this ‘ap’ courtesy of nature… and even if the power goes off, this subtle way of awakening is there year round!
Well, I thought you would but just in case you wanted them …on demand as well! 😉 xxxxxx
Oh, this looks like HEAVEN to me! The birds! the nature… Please enjoy settling in. I am excited for you (and envious!)
11Yes, it is heaven, and you would love it there…. A friend told me there’s an island in the lake with lots of birds… so many ops for exploring… I’m never bored, but now there will never be an excuse to be bored!
There’s nothing like being immersed in nature, and we’re lucky to be in that situation. No one in shouting distance – except my husband! What a wonderful assortment of birds Lisa, some so pretty and vibrant colours, but my favourite was without doubt the Smooth-billed Ani! Soooooo cute! It looks like you’ve found a place of real peace and beauty, perfect for an artist or a writer. Have fun 🙂
No one in shouting distance – except my husband!’ — that made me laugh!
the anis come to the yard quite often, and they’re often by the roadside, where they pop their heads up from dense vegetation… they are funny birds!
They look like real characters! 🙃😊
A wonderful post, lovely pictures of the forest and I love the birds photos…
Thanks for your reply, which I am tardy in answering! It truly is a lovely place to call home1
Your welcome…enjoy your home 🙂
We don’t sit still long enough to enjoy all that Nature has to offer. Your photos are wonderful. There is nothing lovelier than sitting quietly in your own garden to see who comes to visit; both day and night. I sat outside last night at 2 a.m. and it was 74 degrees. No wildlife came to visit, but the resident Jack Russell enjoyed the night air along with me.
There’s something very serene and comforting about being outside late at night… all is still; all is quiet; it seems that my hearing becomes enhanced – little sounds are easily heard… it’s a balm…. I’m glad that you take timeouts when the rest of the area is sleeping!!!
Beautiful place!
Toto, it’s certainly not the MIssissippi Delta! Thanks, Fletcher!
Lisa, I love the colors and variations of birds. We have many bird feeders here, but the exotic colors where you truly make our more pedestrian. Thanks for sharing. Keith
I remain amazed at the many many varieties of tanagers here… all colors, as if a standard blank model was presented to a huge class of art students, and the homework was ‘take this home and paint it however you’d like…’
Amazing. I’ve been very curious. It’s a new habitat for you, I can sense your excitement. I know you’re familiar with more inland locations, but you were on the coast for a while, so I assume this will be very different. I looked on google maps and it seems so far from any towns….but the views, the birds, the trees – they’re all going to be receiving your attention.
The Lineated woodpecker is similar to our Pileated. right? And I’ve seen an Ani, years and years ago, on St. Simons Island, GA. Wish I could hep with ID’s but I did look at the Barbet, and apparently the other one, the Five-colored, shows more yellow in front. So I hope you find it again and get better views, knowing what to look for. Have fun! The house looks fantastic!!!!
Funny – I spent a lot of time looking at the area via the Google Map ops, and I wasn’t impressed. It looked like few houses were there/communities, etc… I thought it strange that a fairly decent highway was there, but i also thought, ‘why would anyone want to live along that river which would flood in the rainy season?’
But seeing it in person changed it all.. it was so different.. and the houses/communities along the river are much higher along the lower part of the foothills…
Yes, the Lineated is much like the Pileated.. we also have the ‘Guayaquil’ and one other – all look very much like the Pileated
I’m happy for you!
Wow Lisa….Can’t wait to come and visit …..love love love your post!! Hugs, Barb
Both comments reached the inbox.. thank you!!!!
Hi….I did a comment on this post, but it doesn’t look like it got posted soooooo.
WOW……..I can’t wait to come and see your .”new sanctuary” But I am soooo looking forward to your visit to my place first!
Hugs, B
On Fri, Aug 4, 2017 at 9:53 AM, Zeebra Designs & Destinations wrote:
> Playamart – Zeebra Designs posted: ” “I think the most important quality > in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. Our > everyday lives obscure a truth about existence – that at the heart of > everything there lies a stillness and a light.” ― Lynn Thomson, Birdi” >
You are so right – a new sanctuary — and you will love it…. I look forward to when you’re seeing it in person!
What a beautiful place you’ve found. It reminds me in some ways of my “place” in Liberia. The wildlife, and especially the birds, weren’t so varied or numerous, but there was absolutely nothing like the beauty of the bush. Of course, the best thing about the house (in my opinion) is the abundance of windows. You’ve fallen into the lap of luxury, for sure. Enjoy it!
Those windows are like living in the canopy… and the birds perch on the limbs for very easy photography ops… The only problem with the windows is that at night, every insect within viewing distance will come to the windows – and they find their way inside!!!
Your time in Liberia must have been very special… maybe you’ll soon tell us new stories about your time there!!
I thought humans were ejected from Paradise by an angry God. Apparently this did not include you!! Beautiful spot and many thanks for sharing it with us. May you find nothing but happiness there!
What a lovely comment! Thank you, Hugh/// Yes it is a beautiful spot, and the locals are sweet – but that’s true throughout the country!
Wonderful photos, Lisa! I wish you all the best in your new home!
Thank you Cindy! Yes, it will be nice when I am there full time…
Outstanding area for birding Lisa, wow, what wonderful variety. Your abundant
colorful photos with great descriptions and story gives me a thrill to imagine
what it must actually be like to be there in person. Your accommodations look
have like they have the feel of comfort in the middle of a tropical paradise.
Enjoy the days (and nights too) while you relax to the sights and sounds
of nature all around you, with peace, Eddie
It is a total joy to be there in person. You’d love seeing the native heliconias growing in their natural settings… lots of small little wildflowers as wel thata are equally special.
Awakening is special; one merges with the natural rhythms, so there’s no scowl with the realization that it’s time to get up!
Looks like a wonderful place! I know zero about South American birds but I do recognize the virtues of bamboo. I have a few pairs of riding breeches that are made mostly from bamboo. I’ve had them for several years, worn them several times a week and they still don’t show the slightest signs of wear. Which is probably why the company quit making them. No money in a product the customer will never have to replace!
I love your ‘bamboo breeches’ testimony! It would be interesting to see how bamboo is made into fiber…. Now I am curious!!!!
Reblogged this on The Free.
Thank you!!!
How lovely it all is, Lisa! Glorious bird life…wishing you health, happiness and lots of drawing and painting inspiration in your new abode.
Thank you Anne! Yes, it is a place of peace, of serenity.. truly comforting…
With the upcoming eclipse, I’m wondering if you’ll be sharing any trivia/wisdom about alignments, the future, the past – and destinies…
Beautiful just beautiful. Near Mindo?
Ha! NO! I drove from PH to Mindo a few days ago, and it took almost 8 hours! I’ll return on Monday and will take the alternative route, which should take about five hours…. It’s about two hours from Manta, however…. Hope you are doing well!
Very nice. Can’t wait to visit.
Stephen
Thanks, Stephen! You and Xio will love exploring, and you’ll be discovering other details that I’ve missed. One cute little frog has visited the kitchen, and then a wild-colored ‘gecko’ – but its feet don’t have the rounded pads – they are long like an iguana’s….
What a paradise Lisa! Where in ecuador is your new home? How did you find it? I can’t believe all the birds and wow is the house gorgeous! You will definitely find tons of inspiration. Can’t wait to read
More!
Your questions, and questions from a few others, inspired the follow-up post! Yes, the house is like a Christmas tree, and the birds are like baubles for the house!
Hi Lisa it’s Jim And Pilar sending best wishes on your new place. We are in Quito, I leave 8/15 Pilar at the end of August.
It is great to hear from you, and comforting to know that you’re back in Ecuador. It would be even greater to see both of you, but I have a comforting sense of your kind and gentle presence. I sent you an email – most likely we won’t cross paths this trip, but please let me know when you return.
Beautiful new casa. But I doubt those white walls will be white for long. They look like canvases awaiting Lisa Magic! Enjoy all those birds.
You made me laugh! Yes, there are a few areas that have already ‘whispered,’ ‘Why don’t you paint a border here?’ — ah, but I’d best stick to my own items and leave Don Jorge’s property alone!
The birds are a big distraction, but after their early -morning activities, it gets quiet, so I should have no problem painting — until one calls me to the window!
So beautiful. Congrats on your new home.
Thank you! It will be nice to get settled in one place, and what a beautiful and quiet area it is!
Wow, beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you! It is a very peaceful area – a balm to the senses…
Whoa! Love your tranquil place! Delightful and it will take you years to explore the surrounding area with all of the vegetation and birds. Now, I can’t wait to see your new paintings! And we may take you up on your offer to visit! Hugs!
I can definitely picture you and Ron enjoying a Timeout there in the Poza Honda area… the climate is cooler than the Bahia area, the lago/poza is inviting – sorry, no fresh-water sharks there, but who knows what creature lurks at the bottom of that man-made reservoir???? We’d have fun conspiring in mischief – perhaps creating a floating illusion of Nessie of the Equator!
Oh Lisa, I am blown away by your location and the abundance of wildlife, those pictures of those birds just amazing.. What a beautiful setting and such a lovely property.. birdwatchers paradise and painters too.. 🙂
Your rented property looks just so peaceful…
I can not believe I have missed so many of your posts as I clicked back to my last visit.. You are obviously not appearing in the reader, as I have been using it to comment, I am afraid my email list is so so long.. I do not know where to start, as I have been spending more time away from WP than visiting recently..
We have a thunderstorm at the moment,.. So loved your views, from your new home..
Can you tell, how I am gushing with just a hint of jealousy at the amount of beautiful birds just outside your window.. I went happy crazy when I saw a song thrush in the grounds of Chatsworth, in the wood.. It has disappeared from our gardens here due to building of new homes, and destruction of hedgerows, So to see these beauties was a real bonus.. 🙂 The likes of which I have never seen before except the woodpecker.. who is extra bright
🙂 Many thanks for this fantastic Post..
Hugs and Much love xx Sue 🙂
I wish I could zip you over here for a total immersion iin nature.. it really is a treat for the senses, and yes, the amazing diversity of birds is a great bonus!
I must have spent 15 minutes on that one post looking in depth at your photos just the next best thing to being there LOL.. Those birds definitely a bonus!! ❤
I wish you could ‘fall out of the sky’ and land in that lovely peaceful setting… You, for sure, would cherish every second!
Oh so do I dear Lisa.. so do I my friend.. ❤
Of course, I love all of your posts; they are always wonderful. Thanks for your follow of my Audio Visual Library blog; you are very kind to do so.
thank you – this morning i’m trying to get a clear grasp on what’s happening in texas; many bloggers are ‘silent’ ….
Bless you.