recent pics

The scenes here are always changing and always cool.

As Ferris Bueller use to say, "Life moves by pretty fast. If you do not stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it."  Truer words have never been spoken.

Trainbearers

 This is a female Green-Tailed Trainbearer.

 Black-Tailed Trainbearer (Black-Tailed have longer tails and a longer more curved bill than their Green-Tailed cousins)

 Black-Tailed

 Green-Tailed male

Green-Tailed female.

We also have the Sparkling Violetear but they are less frequent since we relocated the feeder. How high off the ground you locate the feeder may change the birds that come by so play with them now and then or get several if you have the room. When you find the right spot they put on quite a show that lasts all day every day.

Remember to click the pic for a better look.

That's all for now................over and out

call of the wild

 The stag returned one sunny day and finally the owl. The owl has a wing span of four feet or so. At dusk you often hear his cry as he soars over our valley prowling for a snack.

Things on our end are great and we are really enjoying our life. We have been in our house for 9 months already and man does the time whistle by. We are still in awe and are grateful for our run here.


Oh yea, Happy Birthday Pauline. Have a great day.

Thanks for visiting and keep checking back......................................

stag

 We have seen several deer since we have moved in, usually a pair of them, but yesterday morning this guy was solo enjoying some grass feet away.

 Very similar to the White Tail we were use to seeing in New England. We are very happy to have wildlife in the area. In many places most of the local game has been hunted out, thankfully not here. We also have a resident Barn Owl, trying to get a picture of him has proved difficult so far.

See you next time.

not much new

The ponds make great reflecting pools when the sky puts on a show.

These guys are adjusting to the daily grind con puppy.

This was a big day.

Fozzy, (changed her name right after the last post) is doing great and growing fast. She is great fun.

Ok, time for an umbrella drink on the patio..................ciao

Ecuador's Amazon at the Sacha Lodge

 Finally, our trip to the Amazon and the Sacha Lodge. Wow seems like a long time ago. Lets take a peek.

The above photo is of a new bridge in Coca. It looks a whole lot the the Zakim bridge in Boston.

This bridge is a result of the oil industry and the need for big trucks to access the opposite side of the Napo river other than on a raft style ferry boat.

 After a 3 hour power canoe ride up the Napo you arrive at the staging area for the lodge on its banks.

 After a pee break it is off to another canoe for a paddle cross a lake to the lodge. Some of the trails in the jungle had walks like this (mostly around the lodge facility) , others not but it is always important to not stray off the trail to not damage the area.

            The approach to the lake.

  The lodge's sun deck greets you as you paddle from the inlet.

 This is the canopy walk. Very high above the jungle floor you get a unique view of the Amazon and can really see the sky line. Looks like you are standing above heads of Broccoli, and very cool to see.

The infamous Red Belly Piranha. This guy was caught off the sun deck next to he swimming platform.

The Hoatzin bird

  Hoatzin up close. Very cool. (photo by Pauline)

 Tree frog seen on a night walk. (photo by Pauline)

Tucans preening after a quick jungle downpour.

The Amazon is a must see and yo will not be disappointed if you go. Our trip was mid Dec. 

Completo and poco mas

Our projects or at least the ones we hired out for are DONE!!!! YEAH!

Here is the terrace all done. It is a great space,  and the BBQ, well lets just say, flame on Johnny!

Oh and yes, our new addition, this is Cuenca. She is an 8+ week old Wheaten "soft coat" Terrier. She has settled in pretty quick to our life style. The cats were less than pleased but are slowly making friends.

KO'd

 mornings are amazing

This BBQ is awesome and warrants a closer look. Remember this is made from scratch, no prefab parts here.

The bottom door stays closed during cooking, it keeps out the breeze but opens for access to the drip pan.

Check out this feat of engineering. It works great and if/when it needs replacing just unbolt and have a new burner unit made, and yes this is way cheaper than a store bought grill, by a lot.


Thanks for checking in and as always........Stay Tuned

Best

Jason, Donna, Kilo, Florin, Zhucay, and Cuenca

Gardening in Containers

Playing out here with the plants has brought me back to my roots and after some thought, and words of encouragement I am offering a service.
Not all of us have cars and that makes it a hassle to go buy plants, soil, you name it, so... if you have a space that you would like to fill with a plant(s) inside or out I will take you to nurseries and planter stores (I have my favorites but we go where you want), you pick out what you want, buy it, and I will pot it up, deliver and place it for you.
Soil and nutrients are included so you do not need to worry about it.
email:       gardeningincontainers@hotmail.com          for info or a consultation.
I have a degree in horticulture and many years of landscape experience.
I can also re-pot existing plants in need of a make over as well as renew that planter box.
This is a service tailored for expats in the Cuenca area.

Terrace Project

This WILL be the final big project. I will do the yard myself but will pic away at it, poco poco. 

 Just about there

 Prep for cement

 Retaining wall

 Excavation for wall footing, below grade 3'.

Before

We are using a different crew on this project and they are great. We are very happy with the work and know we will enjoy this space for years to come. This series of photos covers just about a 3 week period.

They are also building a gas BBQ. I tried cooking with charcoal, do not know if it is the altitude or what but it is not an option for us here.
Stay tuned.....................

recent pics

Here are some pics of the main living areas of the house.

We knew when we first saw the property we found something special. Sights like this make it even nicer.

Here are a couple of our neighbors. On occasion they like to take a walk around and try some of that greener grass.

Once again sorry for the large gaps between posts but we are very busy......busy doing nothing.

Thanks for viewing and as always, stay tuned.

This is Jason and Donna from the campo outside Cuenca signing off