I have just returned from a wonderful month leading two photo workshops in the incredibly bird-rich nation of Ecuador. This was my third visit to Ecuador and despite the fact that I have now spent more than 8 months in the beautiful Andean nation the bird life continues to amaze me.

After meeting in Quito, each tour started in the northwest part of the country where we focused our efforts on the amazing diversity of hummingbirds. Our first stop was a high elevation cloud forest reserve where we found some beautiful hummingbirds to start the trip including the Great Sapphirewing and Sapphire-vented Puffleg. The reserve was even feeding a Rufous Antpitta!

 Great Sapphirewing

Sapphire-vented Puffleg

Rufous Antpitta

By the time the trip was over most of the participants had photographed over 30 species of the tiny flying jewels known as hummingbirds (including Booted Rackettail’s, Buff-tailed Coronet’s and Violet-tailed Sylph’s as seen below).

 

Booted Rackettail

Buff-tailed Coronet

Violet-tailed Sylph

 

From our base in the Tandayapa Valley we made a few day trips to visit nearby photography hot-spots. We even managed photos of some really tough species like the Toucan Barbet (see below). Everyone also got fantastic shots of the gorgeous Masked Trogon.  But above all else we focused on photographing hummingbirds using my patented multi-flash techniques (including the beautiful Andean Emerald and Purple-bibbed White-Tip seen below).

 

Toucan Barbet

Masked Trogon

Andean Emerald

Purple-bibbed White-Tip

 

Our next stop was the famous Mindo area where we spent some time photographing one of my favourite Ecuadorian Hummingbirds – the Velvet-purple Coronet (seen below balancing on a branch) . We also got some great looks at a few beautiful Tanagers (such as the Golden-naped Tanager and Fawn-breasted Tanager (seen below) and had an incredible encounter with a group of lekking Club-winged Manakins (see below). Day trips to a Butterfly Garden and to a local Cloud Forest Reserve rounded out our time in the northwest.

 

Velvet-purple Coronet

Golden-naped Tanager

Fawn-breasted Tanager

Club-winged Manakin

 

After a drive across the central valley and up and over the Papallacta Pass (where on one of the trips we had spectacular views of the Antisana Volcano) we arrived at our third lodge of the trip. From Sword-billed Hummingbirds to Torrent Ducks and from Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes to Turquoise Jays it was hard to know where to point our lenses.

 

Sword-billed Hummingbird

Torrent Duck

Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe

Turquoise Jays

 

Other highlight birds during our time on the East slope included the stunning Ecuadorian Hillstar and the cute little Tawny Antpitta. During our stay on the east slope we also enjoyed some of the best food in Ecuador. The soups especially were to die for!

 

Ecuadorian Hillstar

Tawny Antpitta

Hummingbird dessert

 

Our final stop on the regular portion of the tour was a little bit further down the eastern slope. Here we were in for a real treat (and what was my favourite bird from the trip) the Black-banded Owl (see below). We also got great photo opportunities for Crimson-mantled Woodpeckers, Inca Jays, Golden-headed Quetzals and the cute little White-bellied Antpitta.

 

Black-banded Owl

Inca Jay

White-bellied Antpitta

 

After 4 spectacular days on the East Slope we traveled back to Quito for the night. The following day those of us who continued on the trip extension took a short 30 minute flight into the Ecuadorian lowlands and prepared to travel into the Amazon Rainforest. We then took a boat nearly 100km down river deep into the jungle. After a few hours we arrived at our wonderful jungle lodge where we would spend the next 4 days.During our stay in the Amazon we had incredible opportunities to photograph 4 species of Kingfishers as well as crazy birds like Hoatzin’s, Donocobius, Macaws, Woodpeckers, Toucans and Aracaris, Owls and even Parrots that were coming to a local site to eat clay. It really was an amazing experience for us all.

 

Tropical Screech Owl

Common Paraque

Green and Rufous Kingfisher

Many-banded Aracari

Crimson-crested Woodpecker

Mealy Amazon Parrot

 

Eventually all good things must come to an end and we had to return to Quito to catch our flights home. It truly was a fantastic trip. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some of the things that a few of the participants had to say:

TESTIMONIALS – ECUADOR 2012

Glenn Bartley, is a charming, fit, and very pleasant young man with strong interpersonal skills and a lot of common sense.  Your enjoyment and satisfaction are his focus.  He has spent many months in South and Central America; he knows the birds, their habits and habitats, and where and how they can best be photographed.  His knowledge of cameras and photography, and his skills as a bird photographer are exceptional. He speaks excellent Spanish and interacts with the lodge owners and staff, driver, and guides with ease – just what you want in a foreign country when difficulties arise. Glenn applies his skills and wisdom to make sure you capture images you will be proud of. He is constantly monitoring your shooting position and set-up and will take corrective action when needed.  If you are having an argument with your gear, Glenn is there instantly to sort it out.  If you are having difficulty carrying your rig, Glenn will volunteer to carry it while you catch your breath.  Oh yes, his Spanish lessons are free!  G.F. 2012

 

Glenn, this was a fantastic trip. You are at once a skilled photographer, personable and competent leader and someone who feels like a friend. The workshop helped me to develop aspects of my photography that would be difficult to do any other way. Ecuadorwas fantastic and I am impressed with your knowledge of the birds, culture and language of the country. Your photographic skills were evident during all photographic settings and they were selflessly passed on if and when needed but were not obtrusive. Your trip planning was impeccable and certainly optimized our ability to capture images that we had only dreamed about. The trip found a perfect balance between overload and relaxation. The diversity of habitats visited was beyond my expectations. There were moments during the trip – like the early morning silent paddles in the Amazon tributaries – that will linger at the fore of my memories forever. D.B. 2012

 

Glenn is exceptionally knowledgeable about the country, the wildlife (especially birds)l and the nature photographic discipline.  He is also quite conversant with the computer software appropriate to that discipline.  He has a good rapport with the staff at the lodges and has done a good job of working out the organizational details.  For the most part, all the guest has to do is to show up and start shooting. B.H. 2012

 

My first trip with Glenn Bartley wast to Churchill last June. That was exceptional and I enjoyed Glenn’s knowledge, friendship and generally how he conducted his tour. As a result I had NO HESITATION joining his Ecuadortour. I was not dissapointed and all arrangements (transport, accomodation, lodges chosen for birds, food, guidance, etc.) were FIRST CLASS. I would not consider any other tour leader! K.C. 2012

 

Group #1 hanging out in the canopy tower…

 

Group #2 up in the highlands chasing Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes…

 

I will definitely be running this trip again in Jan/Feb of 2013. I will have dates available and will be taking deposits in the upcoming few weeks. If you are interested in reserving a space on the trip make sure to get in touch soon as I am certain that the 12 spaces available (2 tours) will sell out fast. Send me an email if you want to be put on the trips wish list.

 

TO JOIN THE WISH LIST FOR ECUADOR 2013 - CLICK HERE

 

***SPECIAL NOTE – I PUT MY CLIENTS NEEDS FIRST ON MY WORKSHOPS AND I SHOOT VERY LITTLE MYSELF. AS A RESULT MANY OF THE IMAGES ABOVE ARE FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS***