From the Amazon to the Andes — and Beyond
Ecuador gave me an extraordinary variety of landscapes and wildlife within a remarkably compact country. My journey took me from the Amazon and the Napo Wildlife Center to the high Andes and the Pacific coast, accompanied by my guide Alejandro Jácome.
The Napo Wildlife Center became one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Alejandro’s knowledge of the forest and its wildlife made a real difference. He understood where to look, when to wait and how to approach different environments, allowing me to spend more time observing rather than simply searching.
The observation facilities around the centre offered excellent opportunities to study wildlife from different positions. The suspension bridge through the forest canopy was particularly interesting photographically. Being elevated above the ground completely changed my perspective, allowing me to photograph across layers of vegetation rather than always looking up from the forest floor. The centre’s wildlife facilities and the remarkable variety of species around it provided an endless source of photographic opportunities.
From the Amazon, the journey continued into the high Andes, with condors, hummingbirds and an extraordinary variety of birds and landscapes. The climb towards Chimborazo added another challenge, with altitude and changing conditions becoming part of the experience. The dramatic San Rafael waterfalls provided another memorable landscape.
Eventually, I reached the Pacific coast, where sea lions and enormous waves crashing against the rocks created a completely different photographic environment.
I eventually returned to Quito, where I met my partner and together we continued towards the Galápagos Islands. After the extraordinary diversity of mainland Ecuador, I was curious to discover how different this isolated world would feel through the lens.
The Galápagos became a journey of its own, with experiences and encounters that deserve more than a brief mention here. Rather than repeating that story, I have given the islands their own chapter within Journeys, where I share the wildlife, landscapes and photographic experiences in greater detail.
For me, Ecuador remains memorable precisely because of this extraordinary variety. Within one journey I moved from the Amazon rainforest to the high Andes, from volcanic landscapes to the Pacific coast, and finally towards an entirely different world in the Galápagos.
EQ001 - Least Bittern hides subtly among dense foliage, its slender body and muted colors blending perfectly with the reeds, revealing the secretive elegance of this elusive marsh bird.
EQ002 - The giant otter emerges from the water, clutching a large chiclid in its powerful jaws. Droplets splash around as it feasts, his sleek, muscular body glistening in the sunlight, showcasing both its strength and agility in the riverine habitat.
EQ003 - The San Rafael Waterfalls in Ecuador are a breathtaking spectacle, where the powerful cascade and surrounding lush greenery captivate every visitor. So easy to lose track of time, spending hours simply watching the falls or capturing their beauty through photography.
EQ004 - In the Chocó Andino Highlands, with a bit of luck and patience, you might spot the striking Andean Cock-of-the-rock. The brilliant orange plumage and distinctive fan shaped crest make it one of the most iconic and sought after birds of the region.
EQ005 - A capuchin monkey holds a leaf in its hands, playfully covering half of its face, curious eyes peeking out as if sharing a secret from the forest.
EQ006 - Two juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons watch us intently from the water’s edge, their alert eyes following every movement as we glide past in our boat.
EQ007 - See the reflection in the eye while we were standing on a wooden bridge some 20 meters away.
EQ008 - Crinsom rumped Toucanet in full beauty.
EQ009 - Bleu crabs feasting on the leftovers of a dead fish.
EQ010 - The landing of the Hoatzin bird during rainfall In the forest.
EQ011 - Rimpled green colored water ( due to algae formation ) stands in big contrast with the juvenile croc.
EQ012 - Sword billed hummingbird hovering while feeding..
EQ013 - This woolly monkey was watching us from the edge of the forest while we glided downstream along the river.
EQ014 - Curious woolly monkeys greeting us while passing.
EQ015 - On the way back to the Napo Wildlife Center after a morning excursion.
EQ016 - Close-up of the Aracari Toucan.
EQ017 - Group of Sea lions facing the violent force of the coastal waters.
EQ018 - The mysterious Napo Saki climbing in a tree at Yasuni NP.
EQ019 - Juvenile croc blending seamlessly into the limpid waters near Yasuní.
EQ020 - Amazing landscapes of Equador.
EQ021 - View of mysterious mountains along the small roads when the sunset is taking place.
EQ022 - Chestnut-breasted in his take off.
EQ023 - The beautiful Wire-tailed manakin (Pipra filicauda) Limoncocha.
EQ024 - Reed cormorant in all it's beauty.
EQ025 - Iconic peaks like Chimborazo rise in the distance, partially veiled by fog, while guanacos graze quietly in the foreground.
EQ026 - In Mashpi, one of the most unforgettable moments was photographing a tayra. This is a rare and elusive sighting that highlights the richness and surprises of this cloud forest.
EQ027 - The Andean cock-of-the-rock photographed in Mindo, one of the most iconic birds of the cloud forest.
EQ028 - Light, mood, and patience, they all come together in the rainforest.