June 2005
"Conebill Lake" (Ecuador)
This high Andean lake is located in the paramo near Papallacta Pass in Ecuador. Tawny Antpittas bounce around on the high paramo grasslands surrounding the lake; Sedge Wrens sing from the thick tussocks of grass; Ecuadorian Hillstars probe the orange chuquiragua flowers that are scattered over the grasslands; while the water itself holds some classic high elevation waterbirds, including Andean Duck, Yellow-billed Pintail, Silvery Grebe, and Andean Teal. However, it is arguably more important what lurks in the dense stands of polylepis woodland that dot the hillsides on the fringes of the lake. It is here where most birders focus their efforts on the lookout for the nuthatch-like Giant Conebill, a red, white-and-blue "tanager" that creeps along the flaky red bark gleaning bugs off these distinctive polylepis trees. This type of forest that is found above the normal treeline in areas of high paramo like this is a highly threatened habitat due to the scarcity of other resources for firewood in such areas.
December 2005
Birding Highs in the Andes (Ecuador)
This photo was taken from near the pass (4,000m) at Papallacta. This high moorland country, or paramo, is the haunt of some cool high Andean birds, like Ecuador's national bird, the mighty Andean Condor, as well as the exquisite Ecuadorian Hillstar, and the grouse-like Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe. If the weather behaves it is well worth being up there for this alone, a staggering view of the neighboring Antisana Volcano (Ecuador's fourth largest).
20 October 2006
Birding Aboriginal Country (Australia)
Ayer's Rock is the must see tourist destination of Australia, so thankfully the area also holds some birds too, like Budgies, Galahs, Mulga Parrots, comical Crested Pigeons and others. The ultimate Aussie spot for a "sundowner".
19 October 2006
Birding the "Moon" (Australia)
It may not look like much other than a moonscape, but this is the realm of some of the coolest Outback species like Banded Whiteface, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Crimson Chat, the ventriloquist Crested Bellbird, Chiming Wedgebill, and others. Well worth a check as you drive towards Uluru (Ayer's Rock).
3 June 2009
Antpittas Lurking in the Crater (Ecuador)
Pululahua is a dormant volcanic crater some 20 km or so northwest out of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. This Andean setting has always been a big draw for tourists, as it is is perched almost slap bang on the equator and boasts some impressive scenery. However, for birders it was not until after 2003 that this volcanic site started to creep onto birders itineraries, after a bird guide (Nick Athanas) discovered Rusty-breasted Antpittas lurking on the bamboo-choked Andean slopes, a species previously unknown from Ecuador, and therefore completely omitted from the field guide. (Shots of the antpitta can be found in the Ecuador Gallery).
27 April 2006
China's Heavenly Mountains (China)
This awe-inspiring scene in China's "Heavenly Kingdom" is surely one of the most impressive birding settings anywhere in the World. It is the realm of such avian treats as the glittering Chinese Monal, purple Grandala, dazzling Himalayan Rubythroat, and the cute pink-and-blue White-browed Tit-Warbler.