| TROGON TOURS AND NATE CHAPPELL PHOTOGRAPHY JULY 2008 NEWSLETTER |
This newsletter includes a trip report and photos from the Trogon Tours December 2007 tour to Western
Ecuador, tips on shooting owls and other species at night, information on the Jocotoco Foundation, a
conservation organization involved in preserving habitat for endangered species in Ecuador, and
updates on upcoming tours to Ecuador and Thailand.
Our upcoming tour of Ecuador from December 6-14, 2008 has the same itinerary as this December 2007
tour that I am reporting on. We still have several spaces available on this tour. The cost of the tour is
$1,800 including lodging, meals, guiding and transportation within Ecuador. For more information click
on Ecuador, December 2008
Ecuador, tips on shooting owls and other species at night, information on the Jocotoco Foundation, a
conservation organization involved in preserving habitat for endangered species in Ecuador, and
updates on upcoming tours to Ecuador and Thailand.
Our upcoming tour of Ecuador from December 6-14, 2008 has the same itinerary as this December 2007
tour that I am reporting on. We still have several spaces available on this tour. The cost of the tour is
$1,800 including lodging, meals, guiding and transportation within Ecuador. For more information click
on Ecuador, December 2008
We had 6 participants on our tour of Western Ecuador last December. The areas covered were the
Mindo area (a variety of habitats), Rio Silanche Reserve (lowland Western tropical forest), Bellavista
(cloud forest) in the Tandaypa Valley, the Yanacocha Reserve (dwarf forest) and the Antisana Reserve
(highland lakes and paramo). We recorded 248 different bird species and photographed many of them.
Our participants included John Maynard, John and Kate Comis, Dennis and Melissa Sherwood and
Carol Breedlove.
One highlight from the first day was a female Cock-of-the-Rock nesting under a waterfall at LaPahuma
Reserve. It was very dark under the waterfall and I didn't want to disturb her with flash as I have heard
this species is quite sensitive to being flashed. so the images weren't great but it was an exciting sight
after a good hike. The other highlight of LaPahuma was the resident White-tailed Hillstar, a first for me.
At 4:30 in the morning the following day we set off for Angel Paz's reserve so we could be to the
Cock-of-the-Rock lek at the proper hour. Soon after we arrived at the lek we heard the strange calls of
a male Cock-of-the-Rock. For the next hour we were treated to 6 beautiful orange-red males displaying,
dancing and calling below the hide. It's one of the most spectacular sights in the bird world I believe.
We also had the Giant Antpittas at very close range and after a bit of effort and hiking Angel helped us
locoate the Yellow-breasted Antpitta as well.
Mindo area (a variety of habitats), Rio Silanche Reserve (lowland Western tropical forest), Bellavista
(cloud forest) in the Tandaypa Valley, the Yanacocha Reserve (dwarf forest) and the Antisana Reserve
(highland lakes and paramo). We recorded 248 different bird species and photographed many of them.
Our participants included John Maynard, John and Kate Comis, Dennis and Melissa Sherwood and
Carol Breedlove.
One highlight from the first day was a female Cock-of-the-Rock nesting under a waterfall at LaPahuma
Reserve. It was very dark under the waterfall and I didn't want to disturb her with flash as I have heard
this species is quite sensitive to being flashed. so the images weren't great but it was an exciting sight
after a good hike. The other highlight of LaPahuma was the resident White-tailed Hillstar, a first for me.
At 4:30 in the morning the following day we set off for Angel Paz's reserve so we could be to the
Cock-of-the-Rock lek at the proper hour. Soon after we arrived at the lek we heard the strange calls of
a male Cock-of-the-Rock. For the next hour we were treated to 6 beautiful orange-red males displaying,
dancing and calling below the hide. It's one of the most spectacular sights in the bird world I believe.
We also had the Giant Antpittas at very close range and after a bit of effort and hiking Angel helped us
locoate the Yellow-breasted Antpitta as well.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK
photographed by John Maynard at
Paz de las Aves, Mindo, Ecuador,
December 2007. This image was
taken with a Canon 5D and 600mmF4
lens. I don't have the settings for this
shot but its fair to say it must have
been taken at a very high iso and very
slow shutter speed as it was about 6
in the morning at the bottom of the
cloud forest. Flash photography is
not allowed in this particular reserve,
although I do use a lot of flash
photography in the forests of
Ecuador. John enjoyed this trip so
much he's planning to go back with
us this winter. I actually tried to talk
him into going to Thailand with us to
get a bit of variety but he's set on
going back to Ecuador with us.
photographed by John Maynard at
Paz de las Aves, Mindo, Ecuador,
December 2007. This image was
taken with a Canon 5D and 600mmF4
lens. I don't have the settings for this
shot but its fair to say it must have
been taken at a very high iso and very
slow shutter speed as it was about 6
in the morning at the bottom of the
cloud forest. Flash photography is
not allowed in this particular reserve,
although I do use a lot of flash
photography in the forests of
Ecuador. John enjoyed this trip so
much he's planning to go back with
us this winter. I actually tried to talk
him into going to Thailand with us to
get a bit of variety but he's set on
going back to Ecuador with us.
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTA photographed by Nate Chappell at Paz de las Aves, Mindo, Ecuador,
December 2007. Canon Mk3 500mmF4 lens, 1/25 at F4 iso 3200, evaluative metering at 0. I think this
image shows the high iso capabilities of the Canon Mk3 extremely well. There was no noise reduction
applied in the processing of this image. I shortened the tripod legs to get down to the same level as
the antpitta here.
December 2007. Canon Mk3 500mmF4 lens, 1/25 at F4 iso 3200, evaluative metering at 0. I think this
image shows the high iso capabilities of the Canon Mk3 extremely well. There was no noise reduction
applied in the processing of this image. I shortened the tripod legs to get down to the same level as
the antpitta here.
TOUCAN BARBET
photographed by Nate
Chappell at Sachatamia
Lodge, Mindo, Ecuador,
December 2007. Canon Mk3
500mmF4 lens, 2x EF
Teleconverter, 1/200 at F10
iso 800, evaluative metering
+1, Canon 580ex Flash at
-1.3. These barbets were
coming into the feeders on a
regular basis and allowed
many different photo
opportunities. Here I wanted
to show the detail in the
plumage. I compensated for
the bright sky in the
background by adding a
stop and some fill flash.
photographed by Nate
Chappell at Sachatamia
Lodge, Mindo, Ecuador,
December 2007. Canon Mk3
500mmF4 lens, 2x EF
Teleconverter, 1/200 at F10
iso 800, evaluative metering
+1, Canon 580ex Flash at
-1.3. These barbets were
coming into the feeders on a
regular basis and allowed
many different photo
opportunities. Here I wanted
to show the detail in the
plumage. I compensated for
the bright sky in the
background by adding a
stop and some fill flash.
After leaving Paz de las Aves we headed over to Sachatmia Lodge to see what was hanging out at the
feeders there. Of course there were many species of hummingbird and several gorgeous tanagers
including the Golden-naped Tanager and the larger Blue-winged Mountain Tanager. But the stars of
the show were the 2 Toucan Barbets which were coming into the feeders. The Toucan Barbet is a
unique species (the only in its genus). Its globally threatened and restricted to NW Ecuador and SW
Colombia.
The next day as we drove down to Rio Silanche, a Laughing Falcon landed in a tree right next to the
van allowing us some nice images and views before flying off. When we first climbed the tower at
Silanche the trees nearby held a veritable bounty of large birds. We looked one direction and saw a
large Guayaquil Woodpecker and then turned the other direction and found Bronze-winged Parrots
and a Red-lored Amazon. Further in the distance we spotted some Choco Toucans.
In the afternoon we headed over to Rio Mirador Blanco, a restaurant overlooking a river valley. Its
feeders are always stocked and usually filled with birds. Alas, this afternoon was a little slow but we
did get our first Silver-throated Tanager and Pallid Dove. Of course there were the ever present
hummingbirds and we added another species, the Green Thorntail.
van allowing us some nice images and views before flying off. When we first climbed the tower at
Silanche the trees nearby held a veritable bounty of large birds. We looked one direction and saw a
large Guayaquil Woodpecker and then turned the other direction and found Bronze-winged Parrots
and a Red-lored Amazon. Further in the distance we spotted some Choco Toucans.
In the afternoon we headed over to Rio Mirador Blanco, a restaurant overlooking a river valley. Its
feeders are always stocked and usually filled with birds. Alas, this afternoon was a little slow but we
did get our first Silver-throated Tanager and Pallid Dove. Of course there were the ever present
hummingbirds and we added another species, the Green Thorntail.
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT photographed at Rio Mirador Blanco, Los Bancos, Ecuador,
December 2007. Canon Mk3 500mmF4 lens, 1.4X teleconverter, 1/300 at F7.1 , iso 400, evaluative
metering at 0. Flash Canon 580ex at -1.0. One nice thing about the hummingbird feeders and
perches at Rio Mirador Blanco is that you are in a position where you can shoot down at the birds,
this gives you a much better chance of lighting up the irridesence of the gorgets and head feathers.
December 2007. Canon Mk3 500mmF4 lens, 1.4X teleconverter, 1/300 at F7.1 , iso 400, evaluative
metering at 0. Flash Canon 580ex at -1.0. One nice thing about the hummingbird feeders and
perches at Rio Mirador Blanco is that you are in a position where you can shoot down at the birds,
this gives you a much better chance of lighting up the irridesence of the gorgets and head feathers.
On our way to our next lodge, Bellavista, we stopped by the Alambi Lodge property to look for the
White-capped Dippers that we missed on the way down. We were lucky enough to have good
looks at a pair this time. We did some birding and photography on the road above Bellavista and
were rewarded with some of the specialty species there including Grass-green Tananger, with its
bright red beak and the beautiful Plate-billed Mountain Toucans with their multi colored bills and
sky blue underparts. That evening we had a nice photo opportunity with the Common Potoo
which hangs around the lodge at night picking off insects that are attracted to the lights.
White-capped Dippers that we missed on the way down. We were lucky enough to have good
looks at a pair this time. We did some birding and photography on the road above Bellavista and
were rewarded with some of the specialty species there including Grass-green Tananger, with its
bright red beak and the beautiful Plate-billed Mountain Toucans with their multi colored bills and
sky blue underparts. That evening we had a nice photo opportunity with the Common Potoo
which hangs around the lodge at night picking off insects that are attracted to the lights.
COMMON POTOO photographed by Nate Chappell at Bellavista Lodge, Ecuador, December 2007.
Canon Mk3 70-200mmF2.8 lens at 98mm, 1/300 at F8 iso 500 manual exposure, Canon 580ex Flash
Ettl at 0. This bird kept returning to the same perch, I wanted to get some images of him flying in
and landing, so I manually prefocused on the stick picked an F stop that I thought would give me
adequate depth of field and fired away. The white object on the right is a moth.
TIPS ON NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY - When photographing owls or other subjects at night I usually
set the manual exposure by picking the shutter speed that is the highest synch speed that will
work with my camera body, with the Mk3 that's 1/300. For depth of field I generally use 1 stop down
from wide open but will change this (as above) when necessary. I will pick the highest iso setting
that will generally not cause any noise. I generally use ETTL for the flash exposure and dial in 0
compensation or -0.3 if the bird or animal has white highlights. As always check your histogram
to make sure you are getting good exposures.
We spent most of the next day photographing and birding around Bellavista before heading back
to Quito in the evening. A big highlight of that day was spotting and photographing a rare
White-faced Nunbird above Bellavista.
Canon Mk3 70-200mmF2.8 lens at 98mm, 1/300 at F8 iso 500 manual exposure, Canon 580ex Flash
Ettl at 0. This bird kept returning to the same perch, I wanted to get some images of him flying in
and landing, so I manually prefocused on the stick picked an F stop that I thought would give me
adequate depth of field and fired away. The white object on the right is a moth.
TIPS ON NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY - When photographing owls or other subjects at night I usually
set the manual exposure by picking the shutter speed that is the highest synch speed that will
work with my camera body, with the Mk3 that's 1/300. For depth of field I generally use 1 stop down
from wide open but will change this (as above) when necessary. I will pick the highest iso setting
that will generally not cause any noise. I generally use ETTL for the flash exposure and dial in 0
compensation or -0.3 if the bird or animal has white highlights. As always check your histogram
to make sure you are getting good exposures.
We spent most of the next day photographing and birding around Bellavista before heading back
to Quito in the evening. A big highlight of that day was spotting and photographing a rare
White-faced Nunbird above Bellavista.
WHITE-FACED NUNBIRD photographed by Nate Chappell at Bellavista Lodge, Tandaypa Valley
Ecuador, December 2007. Canon Mk3 500F4 lens and 1.4 teleconverter, 1/160 at F8, iso 800,
evaluative metering -0.3. What I particularly like about this image is the typical cloud forest
environment is shown here as well as the rare bird. Epiphytes and ferns grow on most of the trees
there.
The next day we were off to the Yanacocha Reserve on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano. On the
entry road in we had many nice birds including good looks at the flashy Hooded Mountain Tanager.
After the mile walk in to the hummingbird feeding stations we sat down and waited to see what
would come in. There were plenty of Sapphire-vented Pufflegs and the occasional Sword-billed
Hummingbird came in briefly to the feeders. Then from across the clearing something caught my
eye, it was a very small dark puffleg, the very rare Black-breasted Puffleg which lives only on the
Pichincha volcano. Kate Comis was standing right in front of the feeder and I walked over to see if
she had seen it as well. She described its field marks perfectly. Unfortunately, the rest of the group
missed this rarity but Kate and I both felt blessed to have seen it. I didn't get any images of it, so
I'm going to show a photo of a Sapphire-vented Puffleg instead.
Ecuador, December 2007. Canon Mk3 500F4 lens and 1.4 teleconverter, 1/160 at F8, iso 800,
evaluative metering -0.3. What I particularly like about this image is the typical cloud forest
environment is shown here as well as the rare bird. Epiphytes and ferns grow on most of the trees
there.
The next day we were off to the Yanacocha Reserve on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano. On the
entry road in we had many nice birds including good looks at the flashy Hooded Mountain Tanager.
After the mile walk in to the hummingbird feeding stations we sat down and waited to see what
would come in. There were plenty of Sapphire-vented Pufflegs and the occasional Sword-billed
Hummingbird came in briefly to the feeders. Then from across the clearing something caught my
eye, it was a very small dark puffleg, the very rare Black-breasted Puffleg which lives only on the
Pichincha volcano. Kate Comis was standing right in front of the feeder and I walked over to see if
she had seen it as well. She described its field marks perfectly. Unfortunately, the rest of the group
missed this rarity but Kate and I both felt blessed to have seen it. I didn't get any images of it, so
I'm going to show a photo of a Sapphire-vented Puffleg instead.
SAPPHIRE-VENTED PUFFLEG (below) photographed by Nate Chappell at the Yanacocha Reserve
on the Pichincha Volcano, December 2007. Canon Mk3 500f4 lens and 1.4x teleconverter, 1/200 at
F7.1 iso 800, evaluative metering -1.3, Canon 580ex Flash at -1.3. This image was inadvertently
underexposed in the field and shows the wonders of digital photography and noise reduction
programs. However, it was my favorite in terms of the birds head position so I went to work
rescuing it on the computer. Because I shot this file in RAW format rather than JPEG I was able to
rescue it. I lightened it before I converted it to JPEG and then ran several rounds of Noise Ninja, a
noise reduction program on the background to remove any noise.
on the Pichincha Volcano, December 2007. Canon Mk3 500f4 lens and 1.4x teleconverter, 1/200 at
F7.1 iso 800, evaluative metering -1.3, Canon 580ex Flash at -1.3. This image was inadvertently
underexposed in the field and shows the wonders of digital photography and noise reduction
programs. However, it was my favorite in terms of the birds head position so I went to work
rescuing it on the computer. Because I shot this file in RAW format rather than JPEG I was able to
rescue it. I lightened it before I converted it to JPEG and then ran several rounds of Noise Ninja, a
noise reduction program on the background to remove any noise.
JOCOTOCO FOUNDATION - the Jocotoco Foundation is a conservation organization set up to
preserve habitats for endangered bird species in Ecuador. They are doing a wonderful job helping
to save rare birds and bird habitat throughout Ecuador. The Yanacocha Reserve is one of their
reserves, it was set up to help save the Black-breasted Puffleg. I had the pleasure to meet Robert
Ridgely, a founder of the foundation and co-author of The Birds of Ecuador at the reserve several
years ago. If you are looking for a worthy place to put some of your charitable conservation giving
it would certainly qualify. Their website is www.fjocotoco.org
Our last day in the field was spent on the Antisana Volcano. The landscape is a wonderful mosaic
of highland lakes and grassland. On our way in we were treated to 2 Black-chested Buzzard
Eagles which flew up from the roadside and down the canyon. This reserve is excellent for raptors.
We also had Aplomado Falcons that day but unfortunately we whiffed on the usually reliable
Andean Condors. The main lake held plenty of waterfowl including Silvery Grebes, Yellow-billed
Pintails and Andean Ruddy Ducks which were a nice change from the forest birds that we had
been seeing previously.
preserve habitats for endangered bird species in Ecuador. They are doing a wonderful job helping
to save rare birds and bird habitat throughout Ecuador. The Yanacocha Reserve is one of their
reserves, it was set up to help save the Black-breasted Puffleg. I had the pleasure to meet Robert
Ridgely, a founder of the foundation and co-author of The Birds of Ecuador at the reserve several
years ago. If you are looking for a worthy place to put some of your charitable conservation giving
it would certainly qualify. Their website is www.fjocotoco.org
Our last day in the field was spent on the Antisana Volcano. The landscape is a wonderful mosaic
of highland lakes and grassland. On our way in we were treated to 2 Black-chested Buzzard
Eagles which flew up from the roadside and down the canyon. This reserve is excellent for raptors.
We also had Aplomado Falcons that day but unfortunately we whiffed on the usually reliable
Andean Condors. The main lake held plenty of waterfowl including Silvery Grebes, Yellow-billed
Pintails and Andean Ruddy Ducks which were a nice change from the forest birds that we had
been seeing previously.
APLOMADO FALCON photographed by Nate Chappell, September 2006, Antisana Volcano,
Ecuador. Canon 20D 500F4 lens, 1/1000 at F9 iso 400, evaluative metering -0.3. I had been
photographing an American Kestrel when this Aplomado Falcon swooped in and replaced the
kestrel on this knoll. Thrilling to say the least. Some of the volcanic soil can be seen here along
with the grassland typical of the paramo.
UPCOMING TRIPS - We still have room on all of our trips scheduled for this fall and winter
ECUADOR, DECEMBER 6-14, 2008
ECUADOR NOVEMBER 8-17, 2008 (Please note that this is a date and price change from the
previously published schedule)
THAILAND, JANUARY 4-18, 2009
We would love to have you on any of our trips, they will all be exciting nature photography and bird
watching adventures. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have regarding wildlife
photography or birdwatching in Ecuador. Next month's newsletter will include information and
photos about bird photography in Southeast Arizona. In the meantime good birding and
photography to everyone.
Best,
Nate Chappell
Ecuador. Canon 20D 500F4 lens, 1/1000 at F9 iso 400, evaluative metering -0.3. I had been
photographing an American Kestrel when this Aplomado Falcon swooped in and replaced the
kestrel on this knoll. Thrilling to say the least. Some of the volcanic soil can be seen here along
with the grassland typical of the paramo.
UPCOMING TRIPS - We still have room on all of our trips scheduled for this fall and winter
ECUADOR, DECEMBER 6-14, 2008
ECUADOR NOVEMBER 8-17, 2008 (Please note that this is a date and price change from the
previously published schedule)
THAILAND, JANUARY 4-18, 2009
We would love to have you on any of our trips, they will all be exciting nature photography and bird
watching adventures. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have regarding wildlife
photography or birdwatching in Ecuador. Next month's newsletter will include information and
photos about bird photography in Southeast Arizona. In the meantime good birding and
photography to everyone.
Best,
Nate Chappell