It was finally time to leave Guango Lodge and head to San Isidro Lodge.    This lodge is  located in the Quijos Valley in the Napo Province.  The elevation was only 2,050 m (6,800 ft) so we looked forward to some warmer temperatures.  The lodge was  very comfortable- we stayed in nice, roomy cabins surrounded by gorgeous forests, extensive trails and some pretty nice scenic views of the cloud forest.   The dining room had a comfortable seating area and a beautiful  covered deck outside overlooking some great views.  Just like the other lodges we visited we were able to  leave our camera equipment or computers pretty much anywhere and know that they  would be totally safe.     For the rainy times, there was a covered pavilion where we could hang out at the bird feeders.  A bonus was intermittent internet service  in the dining room area.  

20150112_Ecuador_0002 As you can see from the water drops and the streaks of rain we still got some rainy weather.  However, we actually got some pretty nice weather as well and the rain never lasted for too long.  The  Sylph is a hummingbird with extremely long beautiful  tail feathers.  

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A landscape shot taken from the observation deck.  

20150113_Ecuador_0005 A White-bellied Antpitta.  Typically this bird is very difficult to see, however the birds are fed worms by the hotel staff at 7.30 AM so we were able to hike into the forest to watch.  

20150113_Ecuador_0006 An Agouti would come and feed on corn kept near one of the bird feeders.  These guys are related to guinea pigs but are larger and have longer legs.  

20150113_Ecuador_0007 The Sylph is one of the most beautiful hummingbirds.

20150113_Ecuador_0009 Chestnut-breasted Coronets were also found at this lodge.

20150113_Ecuador_0010 The food at this lodge was very, very good and served beautifully.  At all of the lodges we had very good food and lots of it but San Isidro was the best.  

20150113_Ecuador_0011 A view just outside my cabin.  

20150113_Ecuador_0012 There were birds everywhere during their active times- early in the morning and late in the afternoon.  It was a bit tricky to see them in the trees though and they never seemed to stay long.

20150113_Ecuador_0013 After lunch when the bird activity was low (except for at the hummingbird feeders) I went for a walk and took a few landscape shots.  The clouds were constantly moving in and out.

20150113_Portfolio Photos_0092 Meet one of my  favourite birds, the  Cinnamon Flycatcher.    I'm not sure if this  is because the bird is so cute or because it had a nest close to the cabins so it was easy to photograph and you could get quite close to it.  I'll just say the bird had a lot going for it!

20150113_Ecuador_0015 There was actually some nice clouds for sunset.

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20150113_Ecuador_0001 On the first evening  we went out to look for the Black-banded Owl.  Some of the group got some photos before it started raining.  However, the second night was clear and Glen and Jess were successful in locating them.  You can hear them but it isn't always that easy to see them as they are very high up in the trees.  We would see them and then they would fly off to a different tree and have to be located all over again. Thanks Jess and Glen, for making these  shots possible.

20150113_Portfolio Photos_0093   These owls are nocturnal birds, roosting in a well-concealed spot in a tree during the day and becoming active at dusk.