Mindo

 

We are having a couple of days near Mindo, north west of Quito.  It's a rainforest environment and it is the wet season but mostly we have been very lucky with the rain.  Today is an exception - solid rain at the moment - so I'm taking time off to update the blog.

Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.  The number of plant and animal species (and of course especially bird species) is huge.  Everywhere is alive!  A tree will have creepers growing up it, bromeliads nestled on the trunk and branches and lichens, ferns and all manner of epiphytes all over.  The diversity of the plants is stunning.  We have seen leaves over a metre across and tiny cacti.  Unfortunately there are invasive weeds making inroads too with Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata) which is an African plant seen draped over vegetation close to the roads.

Purple lantana

Many volcanos - one still active

Steve walking along the mountain road.  See the leaves that are about 1 m across?  They're called Poorman's Umbrella Leaf.

This is the flower and developing leaf of the Poorman's Umbrella

A lovely native fuchsia 

Tiny flowering cactus

The rainforest is so diverse

Bromeliads growing everywhere they find a space

Living fence posts - use fresh wood for your posts and eventually you'll have a hedge.

Another view of the valley

The Paz family realised the value in conservation of natural ecosystems and tourism.  They have developed viewing spots for Cock of the Rock and several of the Antpitta species in the forest land their extended family owns and have a thriving business that employs many family members.  They also still farm part of the land, mainly cattle and tree tomato (tamarillo).

If you turn your back the jungle will claim you

An interesting lichen

We have been to many bird reserves which usually have sugar water feeders and bananas staked out to attract birds.  It is often the only way to see some birds as they hide so well in the jungle.  I love the hummingbirds.  The diversity in size, colour, beak shape and length and tail is stunning.  I just love watching them buzz in and out from the feeders, their wings just a blur.  There aren't enough words to describe all the different shades of blue, green and purple but all the gems are used in their names - sapphire, emerald, turquoise, ruby.  I also love the toucans.  We have seen quite a few species now and also their smaller cousins, the toucanets.  (They make a lovely change from the small brown birds we are usually chasing.)  Squirrels and agoutis also take advantage of the free food.

I will try to get some photos from Steve later today for a better representation of the beautiful birds we have seen.