Scenes and "non-birds" from our IAS Colombia trip - July, 2023

The birds become such a focus on these international trips that I usually forget to take photos of our group, the scenery, and other non-bird shots. However, on this trip the landscape just could not be ignored! Here are some images from an amazing adventure!


The views from El Dorado in the Santa Marta Mountains were beyond spectacular!



Heading out for some birding the first afternoon of our arrival. Despite my best efforts to "blend in" I suspect they knew I wasn't a local.



Our form of transportation up the final steep grade up to beautiful El Dorado was via the "Took Took."



Part of our group in the back of the Took Took at El Dorado.



The individual huts at El Dorado. The view of the Santa Marta mountains and coast was beyond spectacular!



The ceiling of our hut at El Dorado.



The dining lodge at El Dorado offered incredible views of not only the scenery but many of the local birds as well!.



The dining room at El Dorado.



Bill, Brad and Steve at El Dorado Lodge.


We enjoyed a wonderful evening on the coast at sunset.



John and Wendy on the beach.



Our hotel on the coast had an outdoor restaurant with wonderful food and a great view.



This photo of our entire group includes not only the participants, the leaders, Juan Diego, Cristian, and Brad, but also our great drivers. This trip would have been impossible without our five four wheel drive vehicles and our skilled drivers.



We visited a beautiful, but very poor area along the coast looking for Flamingos, Scarlet Ibis, etc. Despite finding these sought-after birds, the highlight was meeting this little guy. He enthusiastically gobbled down any food we offered and even borrowed some binoculars to enjoy the birds!



With local Guide, Johnny, we visited a great feeding station featuring Vermilion Cardinals, with their extended crests. Johnny and Brad are holding up a specially modified Indiana Audubon sign, much to our delight!



Our group always enjoys any chance to get to know and support people in the countries we visit. On numerous occaisons, we have been welcomed to the homes of local people, both to bird and to eat. Twice on this trip, our guide Johnny took us to his mom's house for a home-cooked meal.



The "roads" to El Dorado and Perija had to be experienced to be believed. It was sort of like driving up a dried mountain stream bed, boulders and all.



Much of our trip required the use of five Toyota Land Cruisers to navigate the treacherous roads. Our skilled drivers were valued members of the group and lots of fun.



Wendy and I got our first taste of "glamping" in a unique geodesic dome hut.



Our "glamping" deck even had its own hot tub!



The view from Perija ProAves down towards our glamping site.



We saw a couple small Crab Foxes at El Dorado.



This young Armadillo was found at El Dorado.



Reptiles and amphibians were rather scarce, but this was one of the lizards we saw.



This large toad was hiding in a hole right in the middle of the road.



We saw a fairly wide variety of butterflies and moths.



Another small butterfly.



Large Blue Morpho butterflies were fairly common. The trick is getting a photo with the wings open.



I finally got a shot of a Blue Morpho with the wings open. Not the best angle, but at least it is blue!



This butterfly seemed to be using this tree for camo.



If only the birds would land on us for photos!



Headed home.