Map of Colombia showing the three branches (cordilleras) of the Andes: Western (Occidental), Central and Eastern (Oriental)
We traveled by van from Cali in the Western Andes, north through the Cauca Valley to Manizales, east across the Central Andes and Magdalena Valley, and ended our tour in Bogota in the Eastern Andes
Our group: Edwin (our guide for our three-week adventure), Jill, Jane and Steve
La Florida de las Aves, in the Western Andes, was the first of our five ecolodges. This lodge was at an elevation of 6,000 feet.
The lush, dense vegetation near La Florida
We saw unusual plants like this Venezuelan Pokeweed with its neon pink stem and green berries.
An Empress Brilliant hummingbird is nearly overshadowed by the bright Heliconia.
An even smaller creature -- a butterfly with an "eyespot" on its wings -- walking on a Heliconia plant
Steve and his camera -- always ready for action!
We were lucky to see this strange-looking bird -- the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock -- at close range on our first full day in Colombia.
Four male Cock-of-the-Rocks were practicing courtship behavior. This video clip shows one of them jumping, bobbing and swinging his head, and squawking.
Back at La Florida we watched this Long-tailed Sylph gathering nectar...
and spotted a tiny Purple-throated Woodstar that flies like a bumblebee.
There were also large birds like this Crimson-rumped Toucanet...
and Chestnut Wood-Quails that came in for food.
At Hacienda El Diamante we got to spend one night in the owner's lagoon-side bungalow because a big party had taken over the main lodge.
Ruby Topaz hummingbirds came to the Hacienda El Diamante feeders.
We saw Southern Lapwings in the field...
and a Spectacled Owl in the nearby woods.
© Steve Zamek