Tambomachay

The plan for today was to visit three different archeological sites and walk home, but it was not to be. We started at Tambomachay, a structure containing stepped terraces built over a natural spring.

Rufous-collared Sparrows were in the grass along the trail.

Trails led high above the site for a nice view.

From up here I saw some great birds, including a Mountain Caracara flyover!

Sparkling Violetear

Band-tailed Seedeater (above)   Peruvian Sierra Finch (below)

Trails continued in the distance and we followed until dark clouds blew in and we headed for lower ground and shelter. We found it just in time as rain and then hail came down! We ended up standing under the roof of this bathroom for an hour. A Giant Hummingbird kept me entertained.

Just across the road is Puka Pukara, a military site for the Incas. The rain had let up just enough to walk towards home, so we only saw it from the road. 

Q'enqo is the third site on our schedule, but we didn't make it there. Instead we walked to the Humedal de Huayllarcocha, a small lake which draws some interesting birds.

This Andean duck is very similar to our Ruddy Duck, bright blue bill and all. Below is the female with their ducklings.

Slate-colored Coot

Yellow-billed Teal (above)  Cream-winged Cinclodes (below) It has such a tiny head for it's body!