This is a picture of the thick cloudforest than envelopes the lodge trails around Tandayapa Bird Lodge in the Tandayapa Valley of northwest Ecuador. Its location within the Mindo IBA and the Choco bioregion make this an incredible venue for birds, many of which are endemic to this endemic-rich Choco region. Such thrillers as Beautiful Jay and Toucan Barbet can be found in these forests, along with Rufous-breasted Antthrush, Moustached and Scaled Antpittas, Andean Cock-of-the-rocks, Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals and Olivaceous Piha among many others. The hummingbird feeders boast over 30 species including Choco hummingbirds like Violet-tailed Sylph, Brown Inca, Empress Brilliant, and Western Emerald as well as the phenomenal Booted Racket-tail. At night the lodge trails hold Colombian Screech-Owls and Common Potoos. Simply put this is one of my favorite places to bird on Earth. I have been birding the Tandayapa region extensively for six years now and not even close to being bored!