I didn’t know what to expect a cock-of-the-rock lek to look like. After walking up, down, and around a few hills of the reserve/farm, we arrived at a large, long blind built on the side of a tree-covered hill. Andean Cocks-of-the-rock were calling, not on the ground but in the trees beneath us, obviously there but not visible. Patience was the order of the day as the birds finally came into view between gaps in the leaves and branches. It was a wondrous experience and difficult to leave when the time came to move on.

Photos and story by Steve Zehner
Ecuador | Birding and Photography with John Winnie Jr.