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Photography trip in the central Andes of Colombia with Shatha, the dreamaker.



Shatha is an egyptian female solo traveler, the last 5 years started to visit countries in the neotropical zone in order to increse her birds numbers, get amazing photos of birds but also with the aim to encourage females to travel around the world. during 10 days we explored, watched and photographed birds on the central andes of Colombia.


Shatha´s media.


Shatha and the Long-tailed Sylph
Shatha and the Long-tailed Sylph

In South America there is nothing like the Andes mountains, it is a single mountain range until reach the the south of Colombia and split in 3 different branches creating an unparalleled variety of ecosystems and habitats from the tropical forest in the lowlands to the Paramo in the top of the mountains above the treeline. As a result, the biodiversity which inhabits the Colombian An des is not only astonishing but also special.



We explored the Andean and high andean forest, the paramo and surrounding areas of el Ruiz Volcano

The central cordillera is the highest of the three branches of the Colombian Andes. The range extends from south to north dividing from the Colombian Massif in Cauca Department to the Serranía de San Lucas in Bolivar Departments. The highest peak is Nevado del Huila at 5,364 m (17,598 ft) but also includes other high peaks like Nevado del Ruiz at 5,321 m (17, 453 ft) There are no plateaus in this range and no passes under 3,299 m (10,825 ft). the worldwide known coffee has origin in this area and the diversity of habitats ecosystems plus local reserves, flora and fauna conservation areas and national parks boost the numbers of birds.



Shatha shooting birds in the high andean forest
Shatha shooting birds in the high andean forest

during our 10 days trip we were able to record almost 200 bird species, incredible sights an of course tons of good photos!


About central andes in Shatha´s words: it is a heaven for birds, definitely a must for any birder not only the birds but the landscape and the people are so vibrant, dynamic, colorful


Shatha and the Tanager team!
Shatha and the Tanager team!

here is a short recaption - in photos - of our last days in the trip with!



Torrent Duck moment in Chinchiná Caldas: we visited Mr Jhon and his farmhouse in the outskirts of Chinchiná, a medium sixe town in the mountains, the rivers coming down from los Nevados natural park are great habitat and scenary for this beautiful duck.

Torrent Duck
Torrent Duck

in the same place we were able to watch this incredible Green Honeycreeper with bilateral gynandromorphism.



Green Honeycreeper
Green Honeycreeper


Our visit to Tinamu reserve was very productive! we went into the forest to enjoy a magnificent lek of Goolden-collared Manakin, dancing, jumping and clapping the wings, not far from this, Green Hermits were also lekking!


Goolden-collared Manakin
Goolden-collared Manakin


Mountain toucans are such incredible beautiful birds, their colorful plumage and behavior are amazing. during the trip we watched and photographed two toucans of the genus Andigena. the Grey-breasted Mountain Tocaun in Hacienda el Bosque and the Black-billed Mountain Toucan in Color de mi reves.


Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan at Hacienda el Bosque
Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan at Hacienda el Bosque


Black-billed Mountain Toucan at Color de mi Reves
Black-billed Mountain Toucan at Color de mi Reves

Hummingbirds on the high elevations belongs to a different world. we had several hummingbirds sessions during the trip and we visited several places with a different set of species and we recorded 29 species!


Long-tailed Sylph
Long-tailed Sylph


Tyriant Metaltail
Tyriant Metaltail

But the best of all hummingbirds and probably the most wanted was waiting for us the paramo at 4.100 masl (12.000 ft) the Buffy Helmetcrest is such a unique bird. its range of distribution is a dot on the map, totally confined to Los Nevados National park. we invest one of our morning to reach the place and despite the cold and rainy weather we enjoyed this hummingbirds several times while visited the flowers.





Buffy Helmetcrest
Buffy Helmetcrest


Buffy Helmetcrest under the rain
Buffy Helmetcrest under the rain


Photographing birds in the field
Photographing birds in the field

high on the Andes, the Antpittas are particulary diverse, in a forest walk you can heard one or two species, some days even up to four! their songs like a whistling in many cases are easy to identify. during our trip we had so much fun with Antpittas and we watched and photograph: Brown-banded Antpitta (endemic), Hooded Antpitta (near endemic), Bicolored Antpitta, Slate-crowned Antpitta and the Chestnut-crowned Antpitta, who gave us a show!


Chestnut-crowned Antpitta
Chestnut-crowned Antpitta


No matter the language or the culture, love for birds united us and it is a therapy for the soul...



TOP 5 BIRDS

  1. Golden-collared Manakin

  2. Buffy Helmetcrest

  3. Red-rufed Fruitcrow

  4. Long-tailed Sylph

  5. Barred Fruiteater.



BEST MOMENT

walking beside a lek of the Golden-collared Manakin


BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SPOT

El color de mi reves


BEST LODGE

Hacienda el Bosque


BEST FOOD

Fiambre at Demostrativa Don Miguel (Local dish with chicken, rice and potatoes on a onion and tomatoes sauce, packed in the plantain leave.)



Enjoying a good coffee with a giant Mountain Toucan!
Enjoying a good coffee with a giant Mountain Toucan!




Selfie at 12.000 ft (4000 masl)
Selfie at 12.000 ft (4000 masl)


Black-billed Mountain Toucan during our trip!


*All photos by Alejandro Pinto during the current trip.





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