(Header image, Black & White Becard, male)
La Tomatera Cyclists Trails – Portoviejo/Ecuador – Today is the final day for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, and this past weekend I’ve been in (almost) total immersion in a magical realm – as if stepping back in time and viewing the dry forest through the eyes of the original explorers. The best part is that this is a cyclists’ paradise, so there are trails for an intrepid birder to navigate while always being on guard for a cyclist to be careening around a curve at any moment.
Respecting this ultra-quiet area, I try to step way off the trail when the bikers approach. Usually there is a low ‘roaring’ sound as they race downhill or along the flat stretches, but sometimes there’s a near miss — but their reactions surprise me. Look at this candid response:
Jorge (Jurg) Arnet from Poza Honda has accompanied me in the past week, as has Luis Saltos from Chone. They both brought good luck, as we’ve seen two new species of Cuckoos (for us and for the area) as well as appreciating the beauty and serenity of the area.
Here’s a pictorial of a tiny slice of this refuge:
With Luis’ help, the list for la Tomatera is around 95 species, and we never visited this area until mid January.
Very near this powerful tree was one lone migratory – and impressive – bird, the Black-billed Cuckoo. “Get a photo of it’s tail – it’s tail!” Luis kept whispering, and I marveled that its color and eye ring were much like an Ecuadorian Thrush.
Ignoring the drizzle, we attempted to get clear images of a rare bird that seemed oblivious that we were present. This is the best I could do, but with a video, we were able to analyze and confirm, yes, it is the Black-billed Cuckoo.
Only thirty or so yards away we had seen and photographed its cousin, the Gray-capped Cuckoo:
and another bird – not yet identified by me – allowed a fast photo – before the rains sent us in retreat.
The two images below are labeled, ‘Mystery Bird’ – only a fast glimpse and then they are gone.
The Yellow-rumped Caciques remain in nesting mode – always a great photo op:
The Laughing Falcon often offers its nervous and jittery chatter. It’s great to locate the raptor, acknowledge its presence, and admire it for a while.
To this group I pointed to the falcon and mentioned that its preferred food was snakes.
They continued, as did the falcon.
But the falcon made one more surprise visit, sweeping low and into the scrub – and emerged with a snake in its talons. Indeed, I followed it!
For Linda and Steve, here is some eye candy to prove that it’s not just birds that capture my interest!
The Ceibos are watching…
To be indoors and safe – or outdoors and soaked, hmmm, for me the best choice is outdoors! One never knows what surprises await!
Today is the final day for the Backyard bird count – perhaps you have half an hour to report your special feathered friends. If so, start here: Great Backyard Bird Count
cindyricksgers said:
Oh! What beautiful photographs! Stunning landscapes! I love every bit of this! Thank you, Lisa, what a wonderful respite this has been, to my cold, snowy landscape!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Hi Cindy, yes, the end of February, you are surely tired of cold weather and are ready for warmer days. I wish I could send you some of this weather – or a splash of tropical color.
Alison and Don said:
So many birds, and so much beauty! And how exciting to see the falcon with the snake!
Alison
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
The falcon/snake moment as nice, and as I jotted my thoughts on paper, the Jaguorando sneaked right past me. I was too slow to get a photo, but it was nice and left its signature:
https://playamart.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/p1070180-jagurundi-tracks-copia-copia.jpg?w=529&h=587
Alison and Don said:
Wow!
restlessjo said:
The diversity is extraordinary, Lisa. We were watching a documentary about the Galapagos earlier this evening. It’s a different world!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
It’s been a blessing to document the change from dry season to rainy season, and each week some new plant seems to explode into bloom. Those ceibo trees have such a power- just being in their presence is a special ‘mood’ – yet it also reminds me that each ‘elder’ tree is a precious gift to all of us. One can almost feel the energy radiating from each tree.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Was the documentary the one about Hope for the Galapagos?
restlessjo said:
Thanks for the link. I don’t think so but something similar, on Netflix. Horrified by the plastics washing up on the islands. Have you ever been? It looks the most incredible place?
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
https://en.galapagosfilm.earth/
teresa brito said:
What a wonderful posting!!! Thank you for sharing such beauty!!!
Enviado desde Yahoo Mail para Android El lun., 21 de feb. de 2022 a la(s) 14:56, Zeebra Designs & Destinations escribió: #yiv7790054249 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv7790054249 a {text-decoration:underline;color:#0088cc;}#yiv7790054249 a.yiv7790054249primaryactionlink:link, #yiv7790054249 a.yiv7790054249primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv7790054249 a.yiv7790054249primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv7790054249 a.yiv7790054249primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E !important;color:#fff !important;}#yiv7790054249 WordPress.com | Playamart – Zeebra Designs posted: ” (Header image, Black & White Becard, male) La Tomatera Cyclists Trails – Portoviejo/Ecuador – Today is the final day for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, and this past weekend I’ve been in (almost) total immersion in a magical real” | |
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Teresa! How great to hear from you! Your country remains a very special place on this planet.
Please give everyone in your family my love!
Alli Farkas said:
So many photos my phone couldn’t load them all–had to surrender and fire up the laptop! Then enjoy the sensory overload!!
sustainabilitea said:
An embarrassment of riches, Lisa. Good work on the falcon and snake photo and I love that gigantic tree. You found lots of beautiful birds and flowers. It always makes me happy to see a considerate cyclist. Here it seems very few even let you know there coming so that if you happened to move to the side for a photo or something, they’d just hit you.
janet
de Wets Wild said:
What a beautiful “back yard” you have, Lisa. So full of life. And good to see people enjoying and appreciating the outdoors!
Eddie Two Hawks said:
Envious? Me? no, obsoletely not a little, but plenty! What a great time you are having there observing the bird life and finding like minded folks along the way! OMG How terrific can it get Lisa. What wonderful photos you have teased us all with. Do you want us all to move to Ecuador, retire, and count birdlife!
Just high on life again, so love hearing, reading and seeing your wonderful pictures Lisa. You must have been exhausted after your long trek through the woods.
hugs, Eddie
Rebecca Budd said:
Fabulous photography, Lisa. I was there with you and reveling in the magnificent beauty of our world.
tanjabrittonwriter said:
Thank you for letting us participate in your bird count vicariously, Lisa. In addition to the beautiful birds, most of whom would be life birds for me, I also admired the lovely flowers and majestic Ceibos trees.
Stay well,
Tanja
Donna Frasca said:
Hi Lisa! I have so many cardinals in my backyard now and yesterday, they were chasing each other! It was so cute to watch. Spring is in the air 😉💕
Priti said:
Wow excellent photography ☺️! Well shared thanks 😊👍
Priti said:
Wow beautiful 🥰
Island Traveler said:
So many beautiful, colorful exciting birds. And the flowers, just splendid. And exciting adventure from start to finish. Thank you.