Bellavista Cloud Forest

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Bellavista Cloud Forest
We booked a day trip to visit Bellavista Cloud Forest, but it´s a bit of a jaunt from Quito so we were picked up early in the morning. It was a lovely day as we bumped our way up the forested mountains of Mindo to the reserve, which is a mixture of protected primary and secondary sub-tropical rainforest. Just before we reached the resort, we found a green Touconet sitting high up in a tree, but he flew off before the camera was out. As soon as we arrived at the resort, we were greeted by the most colourful hummingbirds hovering around the nectar feeders, enjoying an easy meal. We saw Speckled, Empress and Fawn-breasted Brilliants and gorgeous, sparkling Violetears, Collared Incas and the cutest Booted Racket-tail (American spelling! not us!) that buzzed around at 95bps! Try snapping photos of this little beauty! Nearly as bad as the equally fast and beautiful purple-throated Woodstar. We had breakfast and then ventured onto a morning hike with a German couple, who were avid orchid fans. We did find lots of exquiste orchid blooms, but unfortunately we are bad botantists and can´t recall their names. We were fascinated by the exotic birds sitting in the trees - we saw a number of Dusky Bush Tanagers and a Beryl-Spangled Tanager. We spotted a Warbler, a Masked Trojan and a bright Crimson-Mantled Woodpecker, chipping away at a tree. We heard the Mountain Toucan many times and loitered by one´s nest for a while, but didn´t get a peek of the bird itself. After lunch, we sat watching the hummingbirds around the feeders until it was time to head back to Quito.

The Equator: Inti-Nan Museum
On the journey back to Quito, we were passing the Equator museum, so our group agreed to stop off for a look. We decided to visit the Inti-Nan Museum, which is run by the local people and is situated directly on the equatorial line - rather than the official monument erected by the government which celebrates the (incorrect) position of the equator as established by French explorers in the 1800s, prior to GPS. Jase was really chuffed the French got it wrong and were 200m out! The Inti-Nan museum was fun! The actual position of the line was only finalised 10 years ago by GPS and our guide demonstrated various experiments that revealed the pecularities of standing on the equator. At first, there was the more obvious but still impressive, water going down the plug hole demo. We were aware of this phenomena but didn´t realise how strongly the direction would change as you placed the mobile wash basin only a few yards either side of the line. And yes, on the line the water went straight down! The next experiment was a strange demonstration of strength changes on the line. In pairs, the ladies had to try to pull their partner´s fingers apart and also pull down their arms. This was unsuccessful either side of the line due to the men´s strength but only the line, mysteriously ladies became the champs and overcame their weaker men! Bizarre! Finally there was a strange egg balancing experiment and a chance to blow a blow gun wearing a great feathery crown. Unfortunately Rach embarrassed herself by not puffing hard enough for the arrow to shoot out on her first attempt. Wimp!

By the way, we have added a few more snaps to our Galapagos entries (oh no, not more photos!) if you want to look back at Espanola, Sante Fe and North Seymour.

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Photos

mountain velvetbreast
Yes we brought a bird guide!!

booted racket tail
95 beats per min on the wings, sounded like a huge bee flying around!

velvet purple coronet
a lucky mid flight shot!

rach in both halves of the world.
Didnt feel anything!

Comments

[Debra]

Alpaca Pacino
Someone had to say it, doesn't the beast look like Al Pacino? I'm sure those birds are laughing. It could have been worse with the blow gun, you might have sucked it in...