Birds

Treasure at the Feeders

November 13, 2010 by Corey 9 Comments

Though the unpacking from my marvelous trip to Ecuador isn’t even close to done and I have about five million things that need doing I thought it would be remiss if I didn’t share at least the tiniest of tastes of the trip with you wonderful 10,000 Birds readers who, I am sure, have been awaiting my return with bated breath.  What’s that you say?  I’m superfluous and you didn’t even notice my absence because of the amazing beat writers who have been putting up superb posts?  I suppose you’re right but I’m going to share anyway.  Read this or not, see if I care…

At the restaurant and hostal known as Mirador Rio Blanco the hummingbird feeders and the view are undoubtedly the main attraction.  It is rightly a nearly mandatory stop for birders exploring northwestern Ecuador and well worth a visit, for the food and drink as well as the birds (try the cinnamon pork chops for a wonderful blend of flavors).  I was taken by the banana feeders, however, especially when Golden Tanagers and Silver-throated Tanagers came in to gobble down some fruit.

Though the two shots above were taken through the window of the restaurant and are certainly not my best pictures I thought that having two birds named for precious metals at the feeders simultaneously was emblematic of the kind of place Ecuador is for a birder.  Stay tuned because there is much, much, much more to come!  Hopefully, Renato will not get upset at my taking over his beat…

Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.