WHERE THE BIRDS DANCE – BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

The KM 18 and San Antonio Cloud Forest provides an excellent introduction to bird photography in the Colombian Andes. Some of the best bird feeder set ups in Colombia are found within one hour of the Araucana lodge, each with its unique perches and variety of birds. In addition, for those who enjoy photographing in natural environments this portion of the western Andes offers some very well-preserved habitat. At feeder sites, this tour targets species such as the endemics Multicolored Tanager and Colombian Chachalaca and near endemics such as Scrub, Flame-rumped, Golden-naped, Saffron-crowned, Rufous-throated tanagers. In terms of hummingbirds , more than 20 species occur at the feeders including Blue-headed Saphire, Purple-throated Woodstar, Long-billed Starthroat, Long-tailed Sylph, Booted Rackettail and Black-throated Mango.

The route then climbs to the central Andean range, to the world-renown Rio Blanco and Tinamu Reserves near Manizales, where there are excellent chances for Antpittas, tanagers and hummingbirds at the feeders, plus many other cloud forest and montane birds. After more ascending, one can soak in hot springs overlooking the scenic Central Andes, and look for species adapted to high elevations in Los Nevados National Park with the beautiful Nevado del Ruiz as a backdrop.

We then head to Jardin to the world’s best photography set up at an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek, where it is common to have more than 10 individuals posing for the cameras. The tour ends with a day in Bogota, photographing more than ten species of hummingbirds at the very famous Observatorio de Colibries.