Above: I like to add two or three new-to-me places on each of my Holbrook tours. These gems are often small, mom-and-pop family operations that have recently opened, and depending on location, have certain species of birds that show up regularly to their feeders. Some of the star attractions at Balcón Tumpiki are Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans, and right on cue, this one showed up and gave us a great photo op.

Below: Although they’re fairly common in the highlands of Ecuador, Sparkling Violetears are always show-stoppers when they make an appearance. This one was turning heads at Wildsumaco in the Upper Amazon Basin.

Photos and story by John Winnie, Jr.
Ecuador | Birding & Photography with John Winnie, Jr.