Sometimes wonderful things happen when you stay behind

That day in Ecuador when I decided to stay back at Tanadayapa Lodge? Yeah, that day. I was feeling a little glum about the fact that I was struggling. So I just set up my tripod and camera and practiced taking photos of hummingbirds while Steve, Jose (our guide) and Bill (who was in our group) went to the lowlands of Northwest Ecuador.  In the lodge it was just me who spoke no Spanish and the staff who spoke no English, so it was rather quiet.

And then this happened:

Yeah, I was just totally minding my business during lunch and this Collared Trogon shows up and gives me a good look over.

And this too:

And then I stumbled upon this Powerful Woodpecker (female), which I might add, IS RARE!

So, sometimes it’s okay to do your own thing and not be with the group because you just might end up being more awesome than you thought.

(Hey! I’m on my way to Panama for another birding adventure. Be sure to sign up to subscribe for my updates while I’m there and you can also follow me on Twitter at @MsBoice and Instagram at MsBoice.)

Read more posts from 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)