Founded by FabiĆ”n Luna and later joined by his son Johan, Alambi is a longāterm family conservation project protecting primary cloud forest in the Tandayapa Valley. The Luna family manages the reserve, hummingbird gardens, and guesthouse while participating in Ecuadorās Socio Bosque program to safeguard native habitat.Ā
Alambi Reserve is
Alambi sitsĀ
1. TheĀ
Hummingbirds
Morning (6:00ā9:00)
Alambi Reserve is one of the most accessible and rewarding bird photography locations in the western Andes. Famous for its hummingbird gardens, tanager feeders, and lush lower montane forest, Alambi offers closeārange photographic opportunities that are ideal for both beginners and seasoned photographers.
This guide distills the photographic strengths of Alambi into practical, fieldātested advice.
Alambi sits in the lower montane cloud forest at roughly 1,400ā1,600 meters on the western slope of the Andes. The habitat is a blend of:
Flowerārich gardens designed to attract hummingbirds
Fruit feeders that draw in tanagers, toucanets, and barbets
Riparian forest along the river
Secondary woodland with mixed flocks and flycatchers
The atmosphere is vibrant, active, and full of motion ā a place where birds come to you.
1. The Hummingbird Garden
The heart of Alambi and its most iconic photographic location.
Light: Soft morning light; dappled shade midday
Lens: 100ā400mm or 70ā200mm for close birds
Tip: Position yourself for clean backgrounds behind feeders or flowers
2. Fruit Feeders https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mZhPtptHXxpzO8x6lQWY-bM0B8LdfxCUOCvkkoz9Eec/edit?usp=sharing
A magnet for tanagers, toucanets, barbets, and even motmots.
Light: Best early morning and late afternoon
Lens: 100ā400mm for most species
Tip: Shoot slightly offāaxis to avoid feeder clutter and capture natural perches
3. River Trail
A quieter area with flycatchers, wrens, and occasional raptors.
Light: Brightest part of the reserve
Lens: 400ā600mm for canopy and riverbank birds
Tip: Watch for kingfishers and torrent ducks along the water
4. Forest Edge & Secondary Woodland
Good for mixed flocks and understory species.
Light: Variable; ISO 1600ā3200 common
Lens: 300ā600mm
Tip: Listen for flock leaders like bushātanagers to anticipate movement
Hummingbirds
Expect species such as:
Violetātailed Sylph
Purpleāthroated Woodstar
Andean Emerald
Brown Violetear
Whiteānecked Jacobin (seasonal)
Tips:
Use 1/3200 sec for wing freeze or 1/250ā1/500 for artistic blur
Position yourself near flowering heliconias for natural shots
Watch for hoverāandāback behavior at favored blooms
Tanagers
Blueāgray, Flameārumped, Golden, Lemonārumped, and more.
Use 1/1600 sec for active birds
Expose carefully to avoid blown yellows
Look for preālanding pauses on nearby branches
Toucanets & Barbets
Crimsonārumped Toucanet, Redāheaded Barbet, and others.
Arrive early ā they often visit feeders first
Use f/5.6āf/7.1 to keep the bill and eye sharp
Watch for sideālighting that enhances color
Flycatchers & Small Passerines
Goldenāfaced Tyrannulet, Tropical Kingbird, Slaty Antwren.
Use continuous AF for quick movements
Preāfocus on open perches
Shoot bursts to capture wing flicks and tail pumps
Morning (6:00ā9:00)
Best light for feeders
Hummingbirds most active
Soft, warm tones
Midday (9:00ā2:00)
Dappled shade in the garden
Good for hummingbird wing blur
Tanagers still active at fruit feeders
Afternoon (2:00ā5:00)
Golden light on forest edge
Excellent for toucanets and barbets
River trail becomes productive
Weather Reality
Expect:
High humidity
Occasional drizzle
Rapid shifts between sun and cloud
Bring:
Lens cloths
Rain cover
Extra batteries
Silica gel
eBird Hotspot Link: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
Hotspot Species: 460
Hotspot Checklists: 5007
Team Eagle-Eye Fall 2025 Species Observed (6 Nov 2025): 9 Team Eagle-Eye 2025 Checklist(s) Link