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Just beyond the gorge at Angostura, along the old road from Sta. Cruz to Cochabamba. This rise marks the start of the Andes proper along this road. |
| The basin of Samaipata. This village has a nice gradual transition to the surrounding semi-arid bushes and the moistier meadows/fields below. Mountains of Amboro NP in the background. |  |
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The garden and one of the cabaņas of La Vispera lodge at the border of Samaipata village. Many birds here, the most conspicuous being the Golden-billed Saltator.
More about this lodge/farm at http://www.travelxs.com/ agents/boliviajes/ |
| The start of the dirt road into the Cuevas valley (see next photos) at Km 100 from Santa Cruz towards Samaipata. Green-cheeked Parakeet and Lineated Woodpecker in the woods to the left of the car. |  |
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About 1 km into the Cuevas valley. The cliffs hold Ashy-tailed and White-tipped Swift, numerous parrots, and according to a local inhabitant Golden-collared macaw in November/December. |
| The moist subtropical forest remnants at aboyt 6 km into the Cuevas valley. Yellow-olive Flycatcher, White-necked Thrush, Crimson-crested Woodpecker etc. |  |
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In the Siberia temperate forest, at the start of the side road going down to Kuahari. Andean Condor, Swallow-tailed Kite, Rufous-breasted Chat-Tyrant, Pale-edged Flycatcher, Masked Flowerpiercer, Andean Guan, Band-tailed Pigeon, etc. |
| Along the same side road, further down. White-eared Solitaire right here, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager in display flight, Crested Becard, Barred Forest-falcon, Slaty Thrush, Andean Tyrant, Rufous-faced Antpitta, etc. |  |
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Central garden of the Tambo Mission School near Comarapa. The guest rooms are simple but adequate, and there is a friendly atmosphere. White-tipped Plantcutter, Black-backed Grosbeak, and others. |
| A lush river valley amidst the semi-arid environments near Comarapa and Tambo. Red-fronted Macaws flew around here in the morning. Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Grey-crested Finch and several others in the woods. |  |
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Semi-arid shrub at 5 km from Tambo towards Comarapa. Here we had several specimens of the endemic Bolivian Earthcreeper. Also Scissor-tailed Nightjar at dawn. |
| Flowering cactus near Tambo. A rare sight in the period we were there. On cactuses like this we had White-fronted Woodpecker. |  |