View allAll Photos Tagged choco
Dear Diary,
I recently had my wisdom teeth removed and just started having solid foods again. I will miss having chocolate for breakfast. Though I love chocolate in its all forms, whether as notable, melted, frozen and Halle Berry (lol) I look forward to chewing the life out this chocolate bar.
Signed,
Your Favorite Coco Bean
When no one understands you, chocolate is there.~ Daniel Worona
P.S: to whom whose wondering what's that.. it's a Choco & berry mousse with this choco biscuit on top =p ~
Autillo Vermiculado, Choco Screech-Owl, Megascops centralis.
Especie # 1.690
Kapari Natural Lodge
Provincia de Pichincha
Ecuador
Ken & Emily Prenuptial Shoot
Ken & Emily are set to tie the knot in January next year. They had their prenuptial shoot here in Bohol, Philippines because Emily had always loved the sun, blue sky and clear beaches of the tropics. Too bad it had rained for some weeks when they arrived. I told them that all is fine and well though. We can still have beautiful photos even with the rain pouring!
Lighting Info: SB-600 bounced to a silver umbrella high at camera right.
Picture taken during the Magic Birding and Wildlife Photography Circuit of Ecuador !
Best Birding and Photo tours in Latin America ! www.sanjorgeecolodges.com
Rufous-crowned Antpitta
Pittasoma rufopileatum
One of the most sought after birds in the Chocó is Pittasoma rufopileatum . It is often referred to as the flagship species of the Chocó. This beautiful bird is unmistakable but seldom seen. It rarely leaves the forest floor and lives in very wet lowland rainforest making it very difficult to find. It is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN because of severe deforestation within its elevational range.
Alejandro Solona, a local bird guide, conservationist, and award-winning chocolatier, had a vision. He bought an old dilapidated farm 5 years ago with the idea of growing cacao. Being a birder and conservationist, he wanted to make sure his vision was beneficial to the earth. When his group first arrived, they recorded 54 species of birds on the grounds. 5 years later they have 156 recorded thanks to the reintroduction of native plants and trees. One of the most important finds on Alejandro’s property is the Pittasoma rufopileatum . For the last year and a half, Alejandro has been working on building a relationship with these birds. Each morning he collects insects in a jar before starting his hike up the hill behind his farm. When he gets to the top he calls for the birds hoping to get a response back. When he does, he then has to locate where they are calling from, eventually making his way to the birds. If the day is a success, the bird will pop out, grab a couple of insects and then vanish back into the understory.
Alejandro understands the value of nature. He decided to build a local business with the environment in mind. Not only has his vision produced amazing chocolate, fruit, vegetables, and provided locals with jobs. It has also provided a glimpse into the world of a bird that very poorly understood. Alejandro and team have also been working with local farmers to protect the remaining forest in the area to build a corridor up the Mashpi Lodge reserve. I highly recommend paying Alejandro a visit. Bird or not you'll still walk away with some amazing chocolate. I walked away excited to see such a bird but even more excited to learn about Alejandro's passion for the Chocó.
copyright James H. Muchmore Jr.