| ECUADOR January 7-15, 2012 |
About Ecuador - Ecuador is one of the richest countries in the world for birds and bird
photography. Over 1,550 species of birds have been recorded in Ecuador, the fourth highest
total of any country in the world. Ecuador is much smaller than the 3 countries with the highest
list totals, making it probably the richest country in the world for birds. Spectacular birds that
participants have an excellent chance of seeing and photographing are antpittas, toucans, and
many species of beautiful hummingbirds and tanagers.
Trogon Tours and Ecuador - Your guides, Nate and Angie Chappell have a lot of experience
photographing and exploring Ecuador. Angie Chappell is a native Ecuadorian who used to be
an agent at an Ecuadorian travel agency. Nate has done extensive bird photography there and
knows the best areas and techniques for seeing and photographing the birds there. Nate and
Angie have previously led 5 tours to Ecuador and spend a few months a year living and
shooting there.
Leaders - Nate and Angie Chappell, and Ken Archer.
What to Expect - This tour will focus on photographing hummingbirds. Specifically using
mutli-flash setups to achieve beautiful flight images of hummers. Close to 150 species of
hummingbirds live in Ecuador and on this trip we will probably photograph about 20 species.
We will have 3 high speed flash setups going at each of the lodges that we stay at. We should
also get good opportunities with antpittas, toucans and tanagers. The first day of the trip Nate
will give a presentation on flash photography and information specifically on multiple flash
photography settings. Nate and Bill will be available to answer any photography questions
and offer any advice that may be wanted. Nonphotographer spouses and companions are
welcome and will enjoy both the lodges and the food. If there is demand for it we will hire a
birdwatching guide to help any birders find and identify birds. Most of all our trips are fun and
relaxed. No question is off limits. Nate, Angie and Bill will do their best to help make your
experience great.
Maximum Participants: 6 photographers plus their companions
Itinerary
Day 1, January 7, Arrival in the evening at Quito International Airport, Transfer to a nice hotel in
Quito.
Day 2, January 8, Drive to Mindo, Ecuador Mindo is located at 5,000 feet and is one the richest
areas for birds in Ecuador. Nate will give his flash presentation. Following that we will spend
the rest of the day photographing hummingbirds at mutli-flash setups. If there are any spouses
or companions that want to spend the day shopping in Quito with Angie that is an option for
them. Hotel: Septimo Paraiso or similar.
Day 3, January 9, In the morning we will go to a reserve where you can see and photograph up
to 3 species of antpittas, toucans, tanagers and Toucan Barbet at close range. After that we
will photograph at Mindo Loma, both setting up multi-flash stations for hummingbirds and
photographing tanagers which are attracted to banana feeders there. Hotel: Septimo Paraiso
or similar.
Day 4, January 10, Today we will spend the whole day photographing hummingbirds at
Septimo Paraiso. Hotel: Septimo Paraiso or similar.
Day 5, January 11, In the morning we will photograph hummingbirds at the hotel. After lunch
we will drive to Guango Lodge. It's about a 4 hour drive to Guango. In the afternoon we will set
up stations and photograph hummingbirds at Guango. Hotel: Guango Lodge
Days 6 and 7, January 12-13. We will photograph at Guango Lodge. We will have 3 mutli-flash
stations going. Guango is perhaps the premiere lodge for photographing hummers in
Ecuador. There are many species but the star of the show is the Sword-billed Hummingbird. In
addition to the hummingbirds, flowerpiercers visit the feeders and Turquoise Jays are among
the common birds visiting the lodge. Down at the river Torrent Ducks and White-capped
Dippers can be found. Hotel: Guango Lodge
Day 8, January 14 We will spend most of the day photographing at Guango followed by an
afternoon return to Quito. Hotel: A nice hotel in Quito.
Day 9, January 15, Transfer to the airport for return trip home. If anyone wants to schedule a
few more days stay in Ecuador or a trip to the Amazon or Galapagos we are happy to help you
book it.
Cost: $2,795 includes all lodging, meals, transportation within Ecuador, guiding, instruction. It
does not include airfare to and from Quito, Ecuador. Each individual photographer will have
their own room. Nonphotographer spouses and companions pay $1,795. To reserve your
spot a deposit of $500 is required. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.
Contact - Email us at nchappell@trogontours.net if you are interested in this tour or call Nate at
253-512-1060.
photography. Over 1,550 species of birds have been recorded in Ecuador, the fourth highest
total of any country in the world. Ecuador is much smaller than the 3 countries with the highest
list totals, making it probably the richest country in the world for birds. Spectacular birds that
participants have an excellent chance of seeing and photographing are antpittas, toucans, and
many species of beautiful hummingbirds and tanagers.
Trogon Tours and Ecuador - Your guides, Nate and Angie Chappell have a lot of experience
photographing and exploring Ecuador. Angie Chappell is a native Ecuadorian who used to be
an agent at an Ecuadorian travel agency. Nate has done extensive bird photography there and
knows the best areas and techniques for seeing and photographing the birds there. Nate and
Angie have previously led 5 tours to Ecuador and spend a few months a year living and
shooting there.
Leaders - Nate and Angie Chappell, and Ken Archer.
What to Expect - This tour will focus on photographing hummingbirds. Specifically using
mutli-flash setups to achieve beautiful flight images of hummers. Close to 150 species of
hummingbirds live in Ecuador and on this trip we will probably photograph about 20 species.
We will have 3 high speed flash setups going at each of the lodges that we stay at. We should
also get good opportunities with antpittas, toucans and tanagers. The first day of the trip Nate
will give a presentation on flash photography and information specifically on multiple flash
photography settings. Nate and Bill will be available to answer any photography questions
and offer any advice that may be wanted. Nonphotographer spouses and companions are
welcome and will enjoy both the lodges and the food. If there is demand for it we will hire a
birdwatching guide to help any birders find and identify birds. Most of all our trips are fun and
relaxed. No question is off limits. Nate, Angie and Bill will do their best to help make your
experience great.
Maximum Participants: 6 photographers plus their companions
Itinerary
Day 1, January 7, Arrival in the evening at Quito International Airport, Transfer to a nice hotel in
Quito.
Day 2, January 8, Drive to Mindo, Ecuador Mindo is located at 5,000 feet and is one the richest
areas for birds in Ecuador. Nate will give his flash presentation. Following that we will spend
the rest of the day photographing hummingbirds at mutli-flash setups. If there are any spouses
or companions that want to spend the day shopping in Quito with Angie that is an option for
them. Hotel: Septimo Paraiso or similar.
Day 3, January 9, In the morning we will go to a reserve where you can see and photograph up
to 3 species of antpittas, toucans, tanagers and Toucan Barbet at close range. After that we
will photograph at Mindo Loma, both setting up multi-flash stations for hummingbirds and
photographing tanagers which are attracted to banana feeders there. Hotel: Septimo Paraiso
or similar.
Day 4, January 10, Today we will spend the whole day photographing hummingbirds at
Septimo Paraiso. Hotel: Septimo Paraiso or similar.
Day 5, January 11, In the morning we will photograph hummingbirds at the hotel. After lunch
we will drive to Guango Lodge. It's about a 4 hour drive to Guango. In the afternoon we will set
up stations and photograph hummingbirds at Guango. Hotel: Guango Lodge
Days 6 and 7, January 12-13. We will photograph at Guango Lodge. We will have 3 mutli-flash
stations going. Guango is perhaps the premiere lodge for photographing hummers in
Ecuador. There are many species but the star of the show is the Sword-billed Hummingbird. In
addition to the hummingbirds, flowerpiercers visit the feeders and Turquoise Jays are among
the common birds visiting the lodge. Down at the river Torrent Ducks and White-capped
Dippers can be found. Hotel: Guango Lodge
Day 8, January 14 We will spend most of the day photographing at Guango followed by an
afternoon return to Quito. Hotel: A nice hotel in Quito.
Day 9, January 15, Transfer to the airport for return trip home. If anyone wants to schedule a
few more days stay in Ecuador or a trip to the Amazon or Galapagos we are happy to help you
book it.
Cost: $2,795 includes all lodging, meals, transportation within Ecuador, guiding, instruction. It
does not include airfare to and from Quito, Ecuador. Each individual photographer will have
their own room. Nonphotographer spouses and companions pay $1,795. To reserve your
spot a deposit of $500 is required. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.
Contact - Email us at nchappell@trogontours.net if you are interested in this tour or call Nate at
253-512-1060.
| GIANT ANTPITTA |
| LONG-TAILED SYLPH |
| SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD |
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