Colombia part 3 {birds, monkeys and driving under waterfalls}

After the Colombia Bird Fair was over, Felipe and Luis of Valle de Colores tours, took us back to Pance in search of the Andean Cock of the Rock (above). But first, breakfast with the birds at our favorite place, Balcon de los Colibries.

When we arrived, a hummingbird had become trapped inside the house. Nicole caught it and let me hold it briefly.

The woman here always makes delicious food, even asking us what we'd like, and she is just the most welcoming, warm woman. One time we were here it started pouring down rain, so she invited us inside, made us hot aguapanela, (wah-pah-NEY-lah) a traditional Colombian sugar cane drink, and shared her wifi password.

Finally we found our elusive bird, the Andean Cock of the Rock! What a cool bird! He posed for us allowing us to record video and photos before the female made a brief appearance.

Afterwards a ranger at Farallones de Cali National Park hiked with us to an enormous waterfall.

The next day we headed for a two day trip to the West Andes.

A beautiful tea field.

Orchids of all different colors, shapes and sizes grew from trees throughout the forest.

Felipe knew right where to find the Bat Falcon.

Felipe pairing his phone with his scope to "digiscope" the falcon. He gets really nice video this way.

We stayed at El Descanso for the night. They make THE BEST cheese empanadas! 

And they have a patio with feeders in back so you can enjoy the birds while you enjoy the food. 

Green Thorntail (above)    Empress Brilliant (below)

One of the coolest looking birds was this Toucan Barbet. They were easily seen from the patio. 

One of the huge benefits of having a local expert as your guide, is seeing something that can easily be hiding in plain sight. This Lyre-Tailed Nightjar with baby is one of those amazing sights!

I love how the adult covers the baby with its feathers.

We were very lucky to see these white headed capuchin monkeys, four of them swinging thru the trees!

At one point we heard two frogs. Then we realized the sound was coming from two birds that were twitching left to right. Was it a courting ritual? No, it was an alarm call! Suddenly this long snake dropped onto the branch where the birds were just seconds earlier! We watched as it moved from branch to branch then completely, silently disappeared again.

Later we spotted two more of the same snakes on the ground. We stopped for photos. 

More leaf cutter ants.

That night the guys hung white clothing under a bright light to collect moths 

for us to observe. So many came of all different sizes, shapes and colors. 

A few of the more interesting ones: One with skulls and one that looks like Mickey Mouse.

Rufous-Tailed Jacamar (above)    Long-Tailed Tyrant (below)

The Oropendola (above) live in colonies and build their nests hanging from trees. Up close they looked like weaved sacks.

Rufous Motmot enjoying lunch.

At one point we had to drive under a waterfall! It was crazy! 

Felipe and Nicole stalking the Fasciated Tiger-Heron.

This is an inch long bullet ant, which inflicts the most powerful sting of all insects, 30 times more painful than a bee sting, and the pain stays intense for a full 24 hours. Just ask Coyote Peterson. The Satere'-Mawe' tribe in Brazil use these bullet ants for initiation for warriors. They weave gloves and insert hundreds of ants stinger first inside. The boys or men must wear two gloves for 10 minutes while dancing with other members of the tribe. Once they take them off, they endure at least 24 hours of pain, swelling and temporary paralysis. They are required to do this 20 times over a period of months or years to become a warrior. Wow!

I love kingfishers, and we saw three different species in Colombia!

The Collared Aracari (below) is a beautiful bird.

The plants were amazing as well. Below is a compilation of three different photos merged together.

I felt like I was in the movie, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" while walking among leaves as big as me!

And sadly our time in Colombia had come to an end. Here we are taking our "Last Look" by orders of Urban Birder, David Lindo. When you think you've seen all you can, and you're ready to throw in the towel, do a dramatic half turn and just take in a last look. You never know what you may see. 

Goodbye Colombia. 

Thank you Luis and Felipe for an amazing 10 days, 270 birds, delicious food, and your friendship. You are both amazing birders and guides. I wish you much success with your birding tours.
To Luis' family, thank you for making us feel so welcome and like part of the family while we were there. I only wish our spanish was better so we could have communicated better with all of you.
Nicole, my dear, thank you for allowing me to join you on this adventure. Where to next?