Day 6 - Refugio del Quetzal & Bojonal

We left the Hotel early and headed straight to Doña Elo’s house for breakfast. While we ate we enjoyed the many Hummingbird species around the feeders of usually hard to see species. The big surprise was an appearance of a female Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird who hovered around the feeders in a bumblebee-like manner. Then it was time to head to the Refugio del Quetzal. Don Lisandro took off down the slippery steps, and by the time we caught up with him, he had a spectacular male Resplendent Quetzal all lined up for us. And what a show we got! We must have spend over an hour with the feathered Serpent as the Mayans called Guatemala’s national bird. We enjoyed extensive looks and photo opportunities while the Quetzal completely unbothered carried on preening himself on a mossy branch right in front of us. Another highlight of the morning was a pair of Northern Wmerald Toucanets that were frequenting a nest hole on a nearby tree trunk.

Before lunch we decided to bird the road to Bojonal for a stretch. And as usual what we encountered was absolutely incredible. Blue-crowned Chlorophonias, Azure-rumped Tanagers and four Hooded Grosbeaks at and below eye level!!! Yet again this road did not disappoint!!! What an incredible experience!

We finished off the morning with more Hummingbirds and a very large lunch at Doña Elo’s. Unfortunately in the afternoon we got rained out, but adjusted our itinerary to make room for the site the following day. What an amazing day!Читать далее