Our second
day in Peru started with a plane flight from Lima to Cusco, where
we met Lucretia Tejada. After relaxing at the Hotel Libertador, we
headed off toward Lake Huacarpay on our way to Ollantaytambo. There
was plenty of enjoyable birding as we approached the lake, starting
with some Hooded Siskins at our first stop off the bus, near some
marshes not quite at Lake Huacarpay.
Nearby Jay
spotted two perched Aplomado Falcons. Here is one of them.
A White-tufted
Grebe was one of the many water birds we found at this spot.
Here, too,
Jay called in a Rusty-fronted Canastero. While waiting for the canastero
to respond, this White-browed Chat-Tyrant came in to perch.
We then birded
along the shore of Lake Huacarpay proper, and lunched there too. The
spot where we lunched was attractive to several Giant Hummingbirds.
Also present
were the ubiquitous Rufous-collared Sparrows.
Walking up
the road gave us some views into a mud flat along the shores of the
lake. These Yellow-billed Pintails were among the birds hanging out
there.
We left the
lakes and continued on our way to Ollantaytambo. One particular stop
along the Urubamba River was rather productive. We pulled over to
scan for Andean Swift, which we did indeed see, but among the many
other birds there were also Puna Hawk and this female Torrent Duck.
She was perched
on the rocks along side the torrent.
Also present
were more Puna Ibis, which we had been seeing all day.
We also had
more looks at Speckled Teal.
From there
we headed on to the pleasant accommodations at Hotel Pakaritampu at
Ollantaytambo.
Our next day
would start with a train ride from Ollantaytambo up to Aguas Calientes
and Machu Picchu.
On
to Day 3: Aguas Calientes and Machu
Picchu
Back
to Peru 2006 Trip Home
This
page was last updated on 19 July 2006.
Contact Geoff Williamson
with any comments, updates or suggestions.