Quito Day I

An excellent couple of flights from Tucson to Quito yesterday, and a nice walk in the park with Nancy this morning. It’s always nice to have a ’soft’ introduction to an exotic locale, and we came across a nice but unintimidating mix of Ecuadorean birds to get us started. Great Thrushes and Eared Doves fed on the open fields, while Rufous-collared Sparrows chipped and sang and picked everywhere.

 

A small flock of Hooded Siskins was feeding near the botanical garden, and a single Black-tailed Trainbearer flashed overhead; Sparkling Violet-ears were much more accommodating, singing and chirping with little regard for our intrusion. Overhead, Blue-and-white Swallows dashed through the sky, and an American Kestrel welcomed us on our return to the hotel.

And now that I’ve had lunch, I’m taking another group back to see what we can see!