The photos in these Galleries are from a tour I made in early February, 2009 to southwest Ecuador with Field Guides Inc. It was primarily a birdwatching tour, but since I really like all of nature, I took photos of everything. The southwesterm part of Ecuador has dry and humid forests that are endangered ecologically. It contains a large number of unique species and is the northern extension of the Tumbesian endemic center.

In only 1997 the Jocotoco Antpitta was discovered. As with antpittas in general, it is a very elusive bird and found within a very small range. Not long after a foundation was formed to create a reserve to protect the habitat of this and other species that share its unique habitat. The organization, Fundacion Jocotoco, has since acquired properties for eight reserves in Ecuador' this tour visited five of them, plus other reserves and national parks.

Not only did we see this wonderful bird well, we enjoyed seeing many other great birds, visited beautiful places, met friendly people, and had a very fine visit to this lovely country.