Hummingbird love from Ecuador
I have to say my favorite part about Ecuador was the variety of hummers even though some of them got quite angry with me. And then there was that incident with the Violet-tailed Sylph, which left me a little shaken and ashamed. All that notwithstanding, hummingbirds still have a special place in my heart. They whiz by like little George Jetsons and oftentimes get right in your face and look right at you. It’s their fearlessness I adore. While most birds are shy to make an appearance, hummers don’t disappoint.
So here’s the thing. I’ve got a lot of photos here for you to peruse. I put them in a gallery so if you just click on any (start with the first one if you’d like) it will take you to the snazzy gallery for really cool viewing with a nice black background.
We’re hoping we ID’d them all correctly. We shouldn’t have waited so long to sit down and ID, but I procrastinated, I’m afraid. It all just seemed so daunting. I’m open to corrections, of course. (Remember, I’m accidental, so it’s bound to happen.)
PS: I apologize in advance for some of the crummy lighting, which was more my issue than nature’s. I’m still trying to figure out how to be a photographer and sometimes my settings just suck.
After the gallery below be sure to see the video I captured at Tandayapa Lodge.
Gallery (click on any photo)
- Booted Racket-tail
- Fawn-breasted Brilliant
- Andean Emerald
- Brown Violetear
- Brown Violetear and Green Violetear
- Booted Racket-tail (female)
- Green Violetear
- Gorgeted Sunangel
- Sapphire-vented Puffleg
- Buff-tailed Coronet
- Purple-bibbed Whitetip
- Green-crowned Brilliant (female)
- Green-crowned Woodnymph
- Violet-tailed Sylph
- Buff-tailed Coronet
- A squabble
- Green-crowned Woodnymph (male)
- Green-crowned Brilliant (female) has some pollen on her head.
- Okay guys, there’s more than one perch around. You don’t have to fight over it.
- Green-crowned Woodnymph (male) and Green-crowned Brilliant (male)
- Green-crowned Brilliant (female)
- Buff-winged Starfrontlet
- Buff-winged Starfrontlet kind of puffed up
- Long-tailed Sylph
- Now let’s get a look at the front of that Long-tailed Sylph who’s looking all sparkly.
- Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
- Velvet Purple Coronet is simply stunning, doncha think?
- Now let’s check out those wings of the Velvet-purple Coronet.
- Chestnut-breasted Coronet. So darn cute.
- Great Sapphirewing (female)
- Chestnut-breasted Coronets hanging out together.
- Tourmaline Sunangel (female)
- Tourmaline Sunangel
- It’s a party now at the feeders.
Video
Here’s the video of the hummingbirds at Tandayapa Lodge. The lodge has about 10 or so feeders around the property and I don’t know how many times the staff refilled the feeders during the day, but it was a lot! There are a lot of hungry hummers everywhere. (Click on the video image below and it will start playing.)
Next posts
As you read this I’m headed to Panama, so look for my blogs and posts from one of the birdiest countries in Central America. You can also follow me on Twitter at @MsBoice and on Instagram at MsBoice. I’ll be updating frequently there too.
Other posts about this trip
- Birds of Ecuador: The showstoppers!
- NO ONE misses the Birds of Paz de las Aves in Ecuador. Well, except me.
- What to do about that ginormous Birds of Ecuador field guide
- BIrding Antisana feels a lot like Scotland. Yes, really.
- Tips for birders joining an organized tour
- Pressures of Ecuador
- See, taste and experience Otavalo Market (from my other blog, Baby Aspirin Years)
- Picturing Quito (from my other blog, Baby Aspirin Years)
- Angry Hummingbirds
- Come hell or high water: In search of the Torrent Duck
- We’re at bird camp
- Birding high atop the canopy at Sacha Lodge
- It’s elementary my dear Hoatzin
- I held a hummingbird in my hand today
- The tree tomato welcomed me to Ecuador (from my other blog, Baby Aspirin Years)
- The Amazon and Sacha Lodge: Getting there is half the fun (from my other blog, Baby Aspirin Years)
Awesome photos! Can’t wait to hear more stories and see your Panama photos. Lynn
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Thanks Lynn! I’m excited too to see what I find in Panama.
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These are incredible! Thank you so much for sharing these. You’re a fantastic photographer. Man, and I still get excited when I see a boring ol’ Anna’s Hummingbird…
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Aw thanks ToughLittleBirds! Hummers can be sorta mean and cute at the same time. What is it about that?
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I love seeing angry hummingbirds. They look like tiny swords flying around, and it’s rather comical to see something so tiny and beautiful squeaking with rage.
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Haha! Totally agree.
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Fantastic photos, you could illustrate a bird guide with these.
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Awww, thanks! (As you can see, I’m just now getting to all those who’ve left comments while I’ve been away. Long flights make for good times to do this sort of thing.)
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Love the video too of those amazing hummers! 🙂
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I think everyone should experience a gazillion hummingbirds zipping by their head. It’s a little terrifying at first, but you get used to it. That’s why I love hummingbirds so much–their fearlessness. Plus they make it kinda easy.
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