IMG_20181215_082915b.jpgOur carriage awaited our departure from the hotel Saturday morning after our 8:30am breakfast (so late because some of us didn't get to bed till 1:30am after delayed flights). |
IMG_20181215_082928b.jpgSome of the colorful houses jammed together on the hillside above the hotel |
IMG_20181215_083100_1b.jpgA closer look at some of the hillside housing |
IMG_20181215_083109b.jpgSome of the group had gotten out after breakfast to look for birds along the hotel. |
DSC_6363b.jpgThis Eared Dove, with all its identifying wing marks hidden by the pipe, is all I managed to photograph before we left. |
IMG_20181215_084952b.jpgThe view inside our van |
IMG_20181215_085118b.jpgInside the van as we started our trip |
DSC_6367b.jpgAs we crossed the Bridge of National Unity, we looked back across the bay to where we had spent the night, just left of the 'twisted' tower. |
DSC_6368b.jpgLooking across the bay to the center of Guayaquil |
DSC_6369b.jpgAcross Guayaquil Bay from the bridge |
IMG_20181215_092253b.jpgAs we drove into the suburbs, we passed many roadside markets and foodstands. |
IMG_20181215_092257_1b.jpgRoadside market outside Guayaquil, EC |
IMG_20181215_165037_1b.jpgMore street scenes in small towns along the way |
IMG_20181215_165045b.jpgMore street scenes in small towns along the way--street vendors |
IMG_20181215_165049b.jpgMore street scenes in small towns along the way--waiting for the bus |
IMG_20181215_174419b.jpgMore street scenes in small towns along the way--narrow streets |
IMG_20181215_175314b.jpgMore street scenes in small towns along the way--several towns had a recreational area like this volleyball 'court' where people gathered to play and watch |
IMG_2547b.jpgOur first stop was along the Rio Bulu Bulu; this plant was growing in the sand riverside. |
IMG_2548b.jpgKannan and Steve went down to the river under the bridge to look for a swallow. |
IMG_2550b.jpgOur guide, Lelis Navarrete, watches from the bank above. |
IMG_20181215_093848b.jpgWe crossed to the other side of the road and passed this three-wheeled motorcycle taxi. |
DSC_6371b.jpgA Snail Kite surveyed the river from a power line. |
DSC_6377b.jpgSouthern Rough-winged Swallow on a wire above the river |
DSC_6379b.jpgGray-breasted Martins perched under the bridge |
DSC_6381b.jpgGreat Kiskadee |
DSC_6385b.jpgScrub Blackbird |
DSC_6387b.jpgScrub Blackbird on a rock along the Bulu Bulu River |
DSC_6391b.jpgBoat-billed Flycatcher |
DSC_6404b.jpgSouthern Rough-winged Swallow |
DSC_6433b.jpgGray-breasted Martin |
DSC_6435b.jpgInteresting flower and fruit along the river |
DSC_6436b.jpgClose-up |
DSC_6438b.jpgBlack-necked Stilts on a sandbar in a river. |
IMG_20181215_101849b.jpgThe staff were serious about recycling at the Reserva Ecologica Manglares Churute. |
IMG_2552b.jpgThe main building at Reserva Ecologica Manglares Churute |
IMG_2554b.jpgMap of a trail we did not walk |
IMG_2555b.jpgA second building--both were of rock and bamboo construction |
IMG_2556b.jpgClose-up |
IMG_20181215_102551b.jpgAt the reserve visitor center, we got good looks at Gray-cheeked Parakeets. |
DSC_6454b.jpgGray-cheeked Parakeets |
DSC_6455b.jpgGray-cheeked Parakeet |
DSC_6457b.jpgGray-cheeked Parakeet |
DSC_6460b.jpgA cluster of Gray-cheeked Parakeets |
DSC_6462b.jpgGray-cheeked Parakeets |
DSC_6468b.jpgGray-cheeked Parakeets lined up on a branch |
DSC_6471b.jpgIt looks like one Gray-cheeked Parakeet is feeding another--are they offspring and parent? |
DSC_6475b.jpgWe rode in the van to another part of the reserve where we saw this Wattled Jacana. |
DSC_6488b.jpgWattled Jacana |
DSC_6509b.jpgSavanna Hawk in the foreground and possible Snail Kite in the background |
DSC_6512b.jpgSnail Kite soaring overhead has a white rump band |
DSC_6513b.jpgSnail Kite |
DSC_6514b.jpgSnail Kite with its hooked bill for retrieving snails from their shells |
DSC_6528b.jpgStriated Heron in a pond at the side of the road
(taken through the van window) |
DSC_6530b.jpgWattled Jacana
(also through van window) |
20181215_121944b.jpgSteve focusing on something |
DSC_6532b.jpg'Propeller' seed pod |
20181215_122030b.jpgMary holding propeller seed pod |
DSC_6533b.jpgTropical Gnatcatcher |
DSC_6536b.jpgYellow-olive Flycatcher |
DSC_6537b.jpgPacific Elaenia |
DSC_6538b.jpgChivi Vireo (variety of Red-eyed Vireo) |
DSC_6543b.jpgSquirrel Cuckoo |
DSC_6547b.jpgScale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6549b.jpgScale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6550b.jpgScale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6551b.jpgScale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6556b.jpgSeed pods on the Kapok tree |
DSC_6560b.jpgBananaquit |
DSC_6562b.jpgOrange flower |
DSC_6563b.jpgOrange and pink flowers |
DSC_6566b.jpgTropical Gnatcatcher? |
DSC_6568b.jpgOrange and pink flowers |
DSC_6569b.jpgTropical Parula |
DSC_6570b.jpgTropical Parula |
DSC_6578b.jpgPacific Elaenia |
DSC_6582b.jpgAmazilia Hummingbird |
DSC_6588b.jpgPacific Elaenia? |
IMG_20181215_114539b.jpgPatty, Michael, Lelis (behind), Allan, David, Kannan, Carolyn, Bruce, Ann, Jerry, Mary |
DSC_6590b.jpgCrab fisherman with his tools on his back |
DSC_6591b.jpgGhost Crabs |
DSC_6596b.jpgSuperciliated Wren |
DSC_6600b.jpgSuperciliated Wren |
DSC_6602b.jpgSuperciliated Wren |
DSC_6603b.jpgSuperciliated Wren |
IMG_20181215_123124b.jpgMary, Bruce, Jerry, Carolyn, Kannan, Allan, Patty, David, Michael at the entrance to the mangrove trail |
IMG_20181215_124131_1b.jpgBuilding at the head of the mangrove trail |
IMG_2557b.jpgMangrove trailhead |
IMG_2559b.jpgWe walked down to a concrete observation deck that was decorated with imbedded stones. |
IMG_2560b.jpgDavid, Patricia, Patty (behind), Allan, Lelis, Carolyn, local guide at the observation deck looking for the Jet Antbirds |
IMG_20181215_130144b.jpgThe ceiling of the observation deck was covered with wasp nests. |
IMG_20181215_130150b.jpgWasp nests at observation deck |
IMG_2565b.jpgMangrove |
IMG_2576b.jpgPirogues in the mangrove |
DSC_6608b.jpgShoulder emblem of the Environment Department staff person at Manglares Churute Reserva |
DSC_6609b.jpgOrange and purple flowers |
DSC_6616b.jpg? |
DSC_6620b.jpgCrab in the mud of the mangrove |
DSC_6624b.jpgCrab |
DSC_6627b.jpgFiddler Crab? |
DSC_6637b.jpgTropical Gnatcatcher |
IMG_2585b.jpgSign showing the Mangrove Ghost Crab |
DSC_6638b.jpgMangrove Ghost Crab |
DSC_6641b.jpgMangrove Ghost Crab at its hole |
DSC_6642b.jpgMangrove Ghost Crab |
DSC_6643b.jpgMangrove Ghost Crab |
IMG_2583b.jpgBack at the main headquarters for the reserve. There was no air conditioning in this main building, but they did have a small unit in a conference room in the back where we ate our packed lunches. |
DSC_6649b.jpgSavanna Hawk |
DSC_6655b.jpgCroaking Ground-Dove |
DSC_6670b.jpgFive Croaking Ground-Doves roosting together |
DSC_6678b.jpgCroaking Ground-Doves |
DSC_6687b.jpgStriated Heron |
DSC_6690b.jpgLimpkin far out in a field |
DSC_6690bb.jpgWhite Ibis near the Limpkin |
DSC_6698b.jpgEcuadorian Ground-Dove |
DSC_6700b.jpgRoseate Spoonbills in the distance near the limpkin |
DSC_6704b.jpgNeotropic Cormorants |
DSC_6707b.jpgWattled Jacanas through the van window showing the yellow on their wings in flight |
DSC_6708b.jpgHorned Screamer |
DSC_6713b.jpgHorned Screamers |
DSC_6716b.jpgHorned Screamers mating |
DSC_6723b.jpgHorned Screamers |
DSC_6728b.jpgHorned Screamers |
DSC_6732b.jpgHorned Screamers |
DSC_6737b.jpgHorned Screamers on the L, Black Vultures on the R |
DSC_6752b.jpgEcuadorian Ground-Doves |
DSC_6756b.jpgEcuadorian Ground-Dove |
DSC_6759b.jpgEcuadorian Ground-Doves |
DSC_6784b.jpgPinnated Bittern |
DSC_6790b.jpgTawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6791b.jpgTawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6793b.jpgTawny-crowned Pygmy-Tyrant |
DSC_6803b.jpgChestnut-throated Seedeaters--male and two young or female |
DSC_6810b.jpgOsprey |
DSC_6811b.jpgOsprey |
DSC_6821b.jpgFemale (brown) and three male Ecuadorian Ground-Doves |
DSC_6824b.jpgWe backtracked to get back to the highway and got better looks at this Savanna Hawk. |
DSC_6829b.jpgSavanna Hawk |
DSC_6840b.jpgBlack-necked Stilts on a pond with White-cheeked Pintails in the right foreground |
DSC_6845ab.jpgBlack-necked Stilts, Lesser Yellowlegs, White-cheeked Pintails, Snowy Egret, sandpipers |
DSC_6845bb.jpgCloser look at the distant Snowy Egret, with Lesser Yellowlegs, in a distant pond |
DSC_6845be.jpgLesser Yellowlegs |
DSC_6845cb.jpgWhite-cheeked Pintail with Lesser Yellowlegs |
DSC_6854b.jpgThis Fulvous Whistling Duck flew away from the pond at the side of the road as we were leaving the reserve |
DSC_6855b.jpgFulvous Whistling Duck in flight |
DSC_6859b.jpgThis Female Green Kingfisher flew up to a small tree at the edge of the pond as we left the reserve. |