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Refugio Paz de Las Aves


jhbren
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I'm not sure this qualifies as a jungle, but it is a rainforest in Ecuador, from our 2009 trip. Supplies are in EXIF. TFL!

 

Journaling (because it's in 11 pt type on the page):

Early in the morning we drove to Refugio Paz de Las Aves, a private sanctuary created in 2004 by brothers Angel and Rudolfo Paz from their small farm. It is near the equator at 4,600 feet altitude, with about 775 acres, a sizable remnant of the original mountain rainforest of the Andes, is protected by the Paz family. About 10 years ago, Angell discovered a small Cock-of-the-Rock lek in a forest gully. Local bird lodges encouraged him to build a track down to the lek to attract birding tourists and diversify his income. During the building, he noticed a plain bird following him, hoping for worms. All Angel knew was that the bird was edible, but the local ecotourism operators convinced him that if the cocks were silver attractions to birders, then Giant Antpittas were pure gold. Over many months, he named and habituated individuals of four antpitta species – notoriously shy - to come to his call.

 

We navigated the long, steep, slick descent cut into the cloudforest to a palm-thatched blind overlooking the lek of the male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and waited – and waited. Finally, one large (about 12”) incandescent bird danced into view, trying to attract a mate.

 

On the return climb, Angel whistled up a Giant Antpitta, Maria, about a foot tall, who hopped on her stage, hoping for the worms he threw to her. We enjoyed a second breakfast, with Senora Paz’s specialty, deep fried plantain banana balls with a cheese surprise in the center. Then we trekked along a cow path to the edge of the forest. This time Angel enticed Tomas, an Ocellated Tapaculo and Shakira, a tiny Ochre-Breasted Antpitta, with his whistling calls – and worms, of course!


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Wow - this is so interesting. I enjoyed reading the journaling. I can just imagine myself sitting eating breakfast under that umbrella.

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Beautiful! The birds are fabulous and to be able to see them close up is a wonderful experience. I would love to sit under that palm umbrella and enjoy my breakfast amidst all of that greenery and bird life. And a Rainforest is certainly a jungle. Your journaling was wonderful and I enjoyed reading it.

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Very interesting journaling and wonderful photos....you have been Blessed to be able to see so many wonderful places.

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Lovely page, Jo! I love the wonderful photos and great blending. I really like the circular frames around the birds. Great information too - thanks for sharing!

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