Luis Espin Nature Photography

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Luis Espin Nature Photography

Luis Espin Nature Photography Nature Photographer and Nature Lover, Travel and Photography Guide, Web Developer and coding adict, prompt specialist.

31/05/2024

The White-necked Puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) is a distinctive bird found across a range of habitats in Latin America, from Mexico to Brazil. It’s recognized by its glossy black plumage, broad white throat and upper breast, and a strikingly large bill. Preferring semi-open environments like forest edges and secondary forests, it perches openly to hunt insects and small vertebrates. The species exhibits a unique breeding behavior, with communal nesting and shared parental duties.

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31/05/2024

The Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani) is a gregarious bird found from southern Florida to South America, in Ecuador was introduced to the Galápagos Islands in the 1960s. It thrives in open and semi-open landscapes, benefiting from deforestation. This bird with a distinctive oversized bill is often seen in groups, feeding on insects, lizards, and fruit. They build communal nests where multiple females lay their eggs, sharing incubation and feeding duties.

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31/05/2024

The Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus) is a bird of prey native to the Americas, closely related to hawks and distinguished by its tooth-like notches on its beak. It’s a medium-sized raptor, with both sexes having similar plumage, though females are slightly more colorful.
These kites inhabit mature subtropical and tropical forests, often seen soaring or following monkey troops to feed on insects disturbed by the primates. Despite habitat threats, they are currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, making them an intriguing subject for nature photography in Ecuador’s rich ecosystems.

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06/05/2024

The Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), is the world’s largest rodent, native to South America’s water-rich regions. These herbivorous, semi-aquatic mammals are known for their social nature, often forming groups of 10 to 100. They have a distinctive diet that includes grazing on grasses and aquatic plants, and a unique digestive process involving coprophagy for nutrient absorption. Capybaras breed once a year, producing litters of four to five young. While not endangered, they face threats from habitat destruction and hunting.

06/05/2024

The Bush Dog (Speothos venaticus), is a small, pack-hunting canine native to the forests and wetlands of Central and South America. Recognizable by its reddish-brown fur and bushy tail, it stands about 30 cm tall at the shoulder and preys primarily on rodents. Despite its ability to breed year-round, the Bush Dog faces threats from habitat loss and diseases spread by domestic dogs, leading to its classification as near threatened by the IUCN.

06/05/2024

The Short-eared Dog (Atelocynus microtis), is a rare canid species from the Amazon basin, known for its distinctive brown-black coat and partly webbed paws. It thrives in tropical forests and wetlands across South America, feeding on a varied diet that includes fruit, fish, and small mammals. With a lifespan of up to 11 years and a near-threatened status due to habitat loss and human activities, this elusive creature remains one of the most enigmatic members of the canid family, with much of its life still shrouded in mystery.

27/04/2024

Tungurahua, also known as the “Throat of Fire,” is a prominent active stratovolcano in Ecuador’s Andes, reaching an elevation of 5,023 meters. It has been in an active state since 1999, with significant eruptions characterized by ash explosions and pyroclastic flows. The volcano’s structure is built within a caldera from a previous collapse, and despite its volatility, it remains a popular site for tourism and hiking, offering stunning natural views and insights into volcanic activity.

27/04/2024

Quilotoa Lake, a breathtaking caldera lake in Ecuador, is the result of a volcanic eruption that occurred around 800 years ago. The lake is renowned for its stunning blue-green waters, a result of mineral dissolution, and is encircled by a 3-kilometer-wide caldera. Perched at an altitude of 3,915 meters, it’s one of the highest crater lakes globally and has become a popular tourist destination for its scenic hikes, including a challenging 10-kilometer trail around the rim, and activities like kayaking. Despite its volcanic nature, Quilotoa is considered safe for visitors, with no recorded eruptions in modern history.

21/04/2024

The Amazon Tree Boa (Corallus hortulanus) is a non-venomous snake species living in South America, particularly in the Amazon rainforest.

It is an arboreal snake that exhibits a wide color variation and is known for its nocturnal, predatory behavior, feeding on birds and small mammals.
Reproduction occurs through live birth (ovoviviparous) and while the species is not currently listed as endangered, it faces threats from habitat destruction.

The Amazon Tree Boa’s adaptability to humid habitats makes it a significant part of the Amazon’s biodiversity.

21/04/2024

The molting process of cicadas is a fascinating aspect of their natural history. Cicadas undergo ecdysis, shedding their exoskeleton to transition from nymphs to adults.

Nymphs emerge from the ground after years of feeding on tree root sap, find a surface, and begin molting. They split their old exoskeleton, extract themselves, and reveal a new, soft exoskeleton.

Over time, this hardens along with their wings, preparing them for adult life. Molting is essential for growth and reproduction, symbolizing renewal in nature. The exuviae left behind are a testament to this transformation.

21/04/2024

The White-throated Toucan, a hallmark of South American rainforests, is celebrated for its large bill and vivid plumage. With a diet that includes fruits and small animals, it thrives in various forested habitats across countries like Brazil and Ecuador.
These toucans, often spotted in flocks, are key seed dispersers, aiding in forest regeneration. Their breeding involves laying eggs in tree cavities, underscoring their role in the diverse and interconnected ecosystem of the Amazon.

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20/03/2024

Just a short drive from Quito, Ecuador, lies the Pululahua crater, a geological wonder that’s also one of the world’s only two inhabited volcanic calderas. It’s the heart of the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, a protected area renowned for its rich biodiversity and geological significance.

Established as a National Park in 1966 and later as a Geobotanical Reserve in 1978, Pululahua showcases a history of dramatic volcanic activity, with its last eruption around 290 CE spreading ash as far as the Ecuadorian coast. The caldera, spanning 5 km, is dotted with dacitic lava domes and was formed over 150-200 years, starting around 2,650 radiocarbon years ago.

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11/03/2024

Cotopaxi: A Majestic and Active Volcano near Quito.

Cotopaxi, the second highest peak in Ecuador, stands as one of Earth’s tallest active volcanoes at 5,897 meters. Its near-perfect cone is crowned by a vast crater with two rims, and it’s known as “neck of the moon” in indigenous languages, reflecting its deep cultural significance. With a history of over 87 eruptions since 1534, Cotopaxi has shaped the land with its powerful forces, the most notable being the 1877 eruption that sent lahars to both the Pacific and Amazon.

06/02/2024

Cuicocha, a stunning crater lake in Ecuador’s Andes, is a geological and cultural treasure. Formed by a massive eruption 3100 years ago, it’s part of the Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve and is celebrated for its biodiversity, including the silvery grebe. Revered in indigenous Kichwa culture, Cuicocha is a focal point for ritual purification during the Inti Raymi festival, symbolizing the deep connection between Ecuador’s natural wonders and its ancestral traditions.

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21/01/2024

The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, the largest salt flats in the world, span over 10,000 square kilometers and boast about 12 billion tons of salt. Formed from prehistoric lakes, these flats sit between 3656 and 4000 meters above sea level, featuring a 10-meter-thick salt crust that’s nearly perfectly flat. Not only are they a crucial source of minerals like lithium and potassium for Bolivia, but they also transform into a breathtaking mirror during the rainy season, drawing tourists and scientists alike to marvel at this unique intersection of geological history and natural beauty.
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15/01/2024

The Green Anaconda is renowned for its heft and length, living up to 30 years. Thriving in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, it’s a solitary nocturnal predator, adept in water and on land, using constriction to subdue diverse prey. Its distinctive greenish hue with black spots, heat-sensitive pits, and powerful jaw facilitate its hunting prowess. Despite facing threats like habitat loss and poaching, this apex predator, which can grow up to 9 meters and weigh 250 kilograms, plays a crucial role in its ecosystem and continues to fascinate as one of the largest snakes on the planet.

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05/01/2024

The green whipsnake or Linnaeus’s sipo (Chironius exoletus), is a vibrant member of the diverse Colubridae family. First described in 1758, it boasts a slender, agile body with a green to olive hue, perfect for arboreal life among the trees. Feeding primarily on treefrogs and other small vertebrates, it relies on speed and strong jaws rather than venom to catch its prey. While not currently threatened, it faces risks from habitat loss, illustrating the delicate balance of nature and the adaptability of snakes in various ecosystems.

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